At the end of October, the PrairieMod Squad traveled to Spring Green, Wisconsin and had the opportunity to meet with Ryan Hewson, a student of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. He gave us a grand tour of Taliesin and showed us his student shelter under construction near the estate grounds.
The shelters the students design and build are such a unique aspect to the learning experience that occurs at Taliesin, that we thought our readers would enjoy hearing from Ryan about his shelter and seeing some photos and drawings associated with the project. Enjoy!
Sited at the juncture between forest and field this shelter records an experience of space. The transition from inside to outside is mitigated by a ramp that continues the slope of the forest “path”; the ramp ends as a level platform that delivers the visitor to the field. When the ramp spirals back towards the woods it forms a cantilevered sleeping platform that appears to “float” above the low forest underbrush.
An isolated image of the Shelter's ramp feature.
A diagram of how the foundation is put together along with a running strip of the construction process.
Local barns provide the inspiration for the material and function of the space. The play of light through cracks that develop over time in an old barn; the time honored traditions of simple, honest wood joinery; and the utilitarian sliding door, for example comprise the elements drawn from the vernacular landscape of Wisconsin.
Light peaking through the board spaces of a barn wall.
A shelter concept sketch which helped guide thoughts on form making.
Exterior and interior were thought of as two distinct elements, one rough and imbued with the marks of age (exterior); the other smooth and warm (interior). The structure itself is a series of frames (two feet on center) that highlight the perception of procession. Each can be thought of as a “blink” of the eye. To celebrate this passage, light is invited in from both ends and through the roof. Typical side views are reduced to half inch slits, backed by a fine white screening. These slits invite in light during the day and project light at night.
A rendering showing the relation of the frames and the ramp.
Many people have helped me to realize this shelter; Sandra Shane-Dubow and Richard Hay for donated the sustainably harvested and dried Red Oak that I am using to create the frames. Not only did they share a beautiful material with me, but also the process of how the boards came to be. They also donated a 1930’s kitchen shed that I tore down with the help of several very dear friends. These boards allowed me to add the patina of age, and save the embodied energy “costs” that comes with the purchase of new materials. Alex Green of Red Beard Lumber, voluntarily milled my rough sawn oak into nominal 2x4’s. Green-Tek, a green house supply company located in Edgerton and their wholesaler Laird Plastics provided at cost my roofing material and screening with all the necessary hardware. Brett Grinder of Grinders Sheet Metal in Reedsburg spent a good deal of time looking at my first shop drawings and then converting them into reality. All the apprentices, the Taliesin Community and Education Department, as well as the members of the Taliesin Preservation Crew for being supportive of my efforts and always being there to lend a helping hand.
The red oak logs waiting to be milled.
Alex Green of Red Beard Lumber mills the logs.
The milled boards, ready for use.
Grinder sheet showing a detail of how the stud 'shoes" will be fabricated.
Utilizing the kitchen shed: waste not, want not.
The concrete pour (James Abell FAIA, Faculty at Taliesin in the foreground, Ryan Hewson in yellow and Christian Butler in overalls.)
Text, drawings and photos copyright Ryan Hewson. Taliesin photo and last photo copyright PrairieMod.
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