When developing a design project a fierce and natural sense of protectiveness and pride will most likely result, as it will from any sort of significant investment of time, anxiety, and sacrifice. In regards to the Clemson and Pendleton project, I believe engaging the community will encourage a sense of communal and personal ownership that will determine the success (immediate and lasting) of the project. If the citizens actively participate in the progress of the project, if they thoughtfully contribute to the design and then sweat over the construction, then the project becomes their own: what was once students designing in a community becomes students designing with a community.
Because both of the projects potentially involve the "telling of a story", I see the community actively participating in both the harvesting and expressing of these stories. Perhaps the collecting of stories becomes an event of the community, perhaps the final construction push becomes a communal celebration similar to a traditional "barn-raising." The nature of the projects is very dynamic in that it is a design exercise and a learning experience for us as students, but it is also a service that we are doing for (and with) the community and a chance to experience collaboration between the community and the University.
The most difficult aspect of these projects is already being experienced in the differences of opinions and in different interpretations of the sites, particularly in the Pendleton site. The Pendleton project is effectively a continuation of a previous studio, it deals with history and emotions and memories...the site also has a strong sense of spirit. Our studio debate is currently whether the Kesse Barn would be most effectively memorialized by a hands-off observe-only approach, or if the most effective way to honor what was is to create a place that encourages a sort of social activity that was (and still can be) the essence of this place. I believe it is the job of an architect to set aside personal ego and to react in a sensitive and yet intuitive manner. This will also be a point of dissention among our (and any) studio in a collaborative setting because each of us, obviously, has very strong opinions. The challenge will be to be "avant garde" and responsible at the same time.
For me the memories and the spirit of the Pendleton site are the most meaningful aspects that will be brought forward through this project. Though I acknowledge the struggles that we will encounter in this more weighty and sensitive site, I am also excited to see how our studio resolves the expression of the memories as well as the re-engendering of the social spirit.
sarah e. wade . . . STEWARDSHIP SOUTH
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