Gabe Bergeron Travel Diary

Harvest Time

2008-11-10T21:41:00.000-08:00

culture night

architecture office on a boat

So, the last point on my journey was a bit of a culture shock – despite the fact that I’d been in Scandinavia for most of my travels, experiencing a new place through the eyes of an architectural tourist was in sharp contrast to the dig in and make myself useful approach of my previous stays. Although it was a pleasure to see the many dynamic aspects of Copenhagen and the creativity of contemporary Danish architects, I found myself wanting more evidence of the life of the city. The buildings were lovely, but who were the communities that they housed? Complex to put your finger on, but certainly a kind of eye opener in contrast – I’ve been looking at the building environment predominantly through the eyes of the people working to form and maintain a community, so seeing the buildings as objects, even as background, left me with an empty shell feeling.

So, architecturally, I leave the experiences I’ve had with the realization that the social element of forming the built environment actually makes the process of architecture immensely more rich and compelling. After all, it is in reaction to the life and activities of groups of people and individuals that a building has its true function and any semblance of meaning.

Luckily, there were several experiences in Copenhagen that gave me a view into some of the social life of the city. The first was that I arrived on the city’s ‘Culture Night’ which was a series of events held city wide allowing people to check out the buildings, music, food and general culture of Copenhagen. I toured the ruins of the old foundations under the city Palace, hung out at the Copenhagen Center for Architecture where they were conducting a kind of music/ poetry experiment involving separating musicians in different rooms of the buildings during the exhibition, then mixing their music to poetry at a final performance. I went to an artists collaborative and did some life drawing, and finally just walked about looking at some light sculpture and lines of people moving through the various squares and buildings in the city.

the black box

new concert hall

youth boat house - PLOT

The next night I stayed with a group of very friendly fellows who had formed a co-op, sharing food expenses and spending a good amount of their social time together. They were having a Halloween dinner, which was great fun. Although I may have overdone it a bit with the libations, it was nice to have a blow out at the end of my trip.

Was able to tour Christiania with a young lady who had lived there for some time and knew the scene quite well. It was a very interesting place, and perhaps had the most exciting atmosphere in the city, although the buildings were lacking the high design touch, the streets and public buildings felt somehow like a medieval town might have felt. People were just out in the streets, actually talking to each other and enjoying the city life, instead of this sort of isolated, event and scene based movement through entertainment, shopping and work venues. I was somewhat disappointed to learn that the place had a rather complicated and perhaps overly political social structure, favoring the power of older residents – although it makes sense in a way. I imagine if you’ve spent a great deal of sweat and emotion continually fighting for the existence of your home you’d feel a high level of ownership. Overall though, it was very impressive that the place exists and has managed to hang on for all these years. It’s so centrally located and idyllic – it’s really a great inspiration of collectivism and counter-mass culture. I hope they can continue to maintain its existence and find ways to generate a more securely established position over time.

Nørrebro, lively and interesting neighborhood

one of the houses at christiania

interesting protest project related to waterfront development proposals

So now it’s back to Boston with my head overfull of ideas, impressions, feelings and thoughts. I’m not at all clear on what’s next or where these various experiences will take me, but I’m eager to find out and so very grateful for the chance to take them in and the freedom to explore their potentials.

Tandem Experiences

2008-11-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

yes, that's our ride

Moving on to the last community of my trip – Holland seems somehow appropriate, like a kind of lively farewell. Arrival at Obdam was somewhat indefinate due to some schedule mix-up. I was lucky enough to talk to a man who lived over the train station, and was familiar with De Nieuw Proef. He graciously gave me a ride. Yet another example of how fortunate I’ve been on this trip, relying on the kindness of strangers. And another testament to the good will of humans in general.

De Nieuw Proef main house

greenhouse, gardens and orchard beyond

De Nieuw Proef is a rather exciting young community, having only started 5 years ago, they have made great headway into their project, fully renovating a a traditional dutch stolpboerderij (a kind of farmhouse) into 8 apartments. They have also made great progress with their farming and gardening projects – lots of effort and success.

It was a pleasure to be there in terms of the meals we had. Everyone seemed to be quite inclined towards food and culinary concerns – and there were many feasts during my 12 days living there. Also had a chance to travel over to the nearby town of Hoorn, which had great character due to the shifting, water affected ground conditions, buildings leaning many different directions, and interesting connected waterways and irrigation systems. Also went there to hear some music from a band that one of the community members was involved in – quite a fun combination of people at the community. Various ages and interests.

Had a nice time thinking about their debate/performance space, and experimenting with an individual interview approach to developing the design ideas. Also got going on an exciting sauna design. Overall, it felt like a very civil community they were building – lots of friendliness and emphasis on living a good quality of life, based on the basics. In fact, it felt in a way, closer to life in the states than the other places I’ve visited – more typical in household amenities, and more people having standard jobs, while still living collectively and enjoying the benefits of pooled resources. A very practical kind of collectivism. This has been a key thought in my developing ideas about collective living – that in order for it to be a more widespread option, it needs to be thought of in pragmatic terms instead of, or at least as a higher priority than, utopian ideals. That the benefits of living collectively are quite simple and really normal to how we are as social animals – it helps us live better lives on many levels.

Next stop Copenhagen, where I’ll spend some time doing normal tourist things before heading back to Boston to spend some time digesting all of these various experiences. I’m eager to see what I can make of all of them, how I can turn them into a direction for my career and my potential skill use.

Old School

2008-11-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

suderbyn barns

My time at Suderbyn was full of recollection. That is to say, I was immersed in history, and in learning skills that have been around for ages. Suderbyn Eco-village is situated on Gotland near the medieval trading town of Visby. The setting is idyllic – both dramatic and graceful. You can feel the patina of age on the island, both in terms of nature and the human activity.

It was a delight to live with Robert, Ingrid and family – I could feel their passion and anticipation, delving into the realization of a long-held dream. It was inspiring to be with them, seeing a real example of a family busily engaged in living in closer coordination with natural systems, living by what they believe in. It was rather impressive to see the toilet of the house torn out, after just two weeks there, replaced by a composting toilet system.

My time there was spent busily helping with preparations for an international workcamp, as well as with various minor house improvements. It was a nice chance to get involved with the nuts and bolts – Lifting and carrying rocks for a new grill, preparing and helping with barn roof reparations, and otherwise using my skills to help things where I could. It was also quite fun to be there to help with the beginning of the work camp. Many delightful people participated, from around the world. All good hearted and friendly – wanting to do what they could to learn about eco-living and to think about what they could do to improve our relationship to the broader system.

near by chapel

nice cliff stair

My time wandering through Visby was somehow deeply influential in a way that I’m still processing. I find again that I’m fascinated by the evidence of human life in a city. That it’s less about the building as an edifice than it is about what people are doing, how they’re living, and how well the edifice allows for that life. Visby, as a very old city, has the great quality that maybe only comes from many many feet passing over its stones. Still I’m hopeful that my skills can be used to generate such power. Buildings with facades and walls have changed many times over the years, showing generations and telling stories. Maybe buildings should be thought of in terms of the stories they can tell about human life. How well do they behave as a kind of parchment for the writing of our experiences? Can they be used like a sheet of news print, brainstormed over, marked up with sharpies and bits of charcoal?

Visby images

So, my appreciation of the old continues to bud – and it’s not to say that I dislike modern advancements, it is to say that there are many things we have learned as a species, that we quickly forget – but maybe to our detriment. So I hope I can use this passion for simple technologies, to perhaps fold some early ideas into new compositions and uses. Or alternately, to combine them, and remind people of our bare handed vulnerability and folksy abilities.

Some experiences to remember: Collecting beach wood with Suderbyn resident Disa, Lifting a few rocks that took everything I had, Outdoor shower at night in the cold and mist, Lovely dinners with a fascinating group of people, Making a hay bale seating area in the loft of the barn, making harness’ from rope, and proceeding to hang from the roof with Robert, wielding hammers, flat bars and screw guns, feasting on apples from the many trees.

Robert and workcamp at beach

new grill in process

No Rules Rule

2008-11-10T04:05:00.000-08:00

Staying at Gaija up near Ahtari, Finland brought many things into perspective. They have been starting their community for the past 2.5 years, and are moving along reasonably well. The people involved have rotated with about 4 of the 10-12 people remaining from the original startup. What made my experience there particularly interesting was the apparent complete lack of formal rules regarding how much or what kind of work each person there does. They basically have the agreement that if you see something that needs to be done, do it. Ask for help if you need it. But there’s nothing that you have to do.

So at first this seems like a recipe for lost efficiencies, and perhaps frictions between people who work a lot and people who aren’t working. But as I lived there more, it seemed that inequalities in work didn’t seem to be much on the minds of the people involved. Things were getting done, and although it was the case that the burden seemed to be on the backs of about half of the group, everyone was contributing in some way. Additionally, the people involved all had the impetus placed on their own shoulders, so it seemed like it made people more aware of what needed to be done, and more dynamic in terms of taking initiative and problem solving. I’ll be curious to see if this continues, and how they will manage what seem to be inevitable conflicts that will arise between people at close quarters. Still it was very interesting as a way of living.

Gaija main building

Aside from these structural interests, the people there were really interesting and friendly. A nice combination of no nonsense practicality, hard edges, and soft fantacies. I especially enjoyed being involved with potato harvesting, and very much enjoyed the various conversations that developed, along with sharing of music and making use of their excellent kitchen.

Spent time helping with the harvest, making food, cleaning up, gathering berries, helping with animals a bit, and doing some deep cleaning here and there. Had some very nice saunas and a great memory standing in the shallows of the lake at sunset with swans flying across the horizon.

Bicycles

Leaving there with some new ideas about structure in community arrangements, or more specifically, with a higher tolerance level of low amounts of structure. I think people have some amount of built-in social structure, and this works well even without formal structure. Although I think some amount of common formal structure is a good idea, I am thinking it can be much less than I had formerly imagined. Next stop, Suderbyn at Gotland. Went through Uppsala with a quick visit to Petra and family, as I was delayed in my travels and need to take care of a few errands as well. Excited to see what they’re developing at Suderbyn. They seem very enthusiastic and I’m looking forward to being involved.

Path to sauna and lake

Manly Men

2008-09-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

Kuusamo Airport, with taxidermy

Had another nice visit with my friend Vesa, beginning with our arrival to the Kuusamo airport, which has a stuffed reindeer in the middle of the baggage claim area. We always have interesting talks, and this time was no exception. Got somewhat deeply into the questions of art (including for our discussions, music and architecture), what makes it good, where the line between high design and vernacular acceptance lies, how to make high art more accessible, dealing with the elitism of high design, and the apparent erosion of quality related to marketing and selling of the arts.

Some interesting ideas that came out of these discussions: maybe there is a potential to develop more ideas related to the connection of art and marketing. Perhaps some art projects that blur the line between marketing and art. Like the yes men, etc. Also, a variety of thoughts about the experiential nature of art, perhaps projects could be developed that are devoted to orchestrating experiences for participants. Additionally, gets me thinking about whether to place my efforts in this grass roots community design approach, or to spend time on the marketing side of things, promoting good architecture, making it accessible, etc. Well my main inclination has been towards the former, but it does have my mind going.

Besides these discussions, we had a nice time listening to music, going to Ruka, and eating Jettimunkis! Big round cardamom spiced doughnuts. Mmmm. Also picked berries, made pie, went on some good long hikes, had sauna, cooked good food, lived it up! Also went to a concert in Helsinki called Deathfeast which was lots of fun. Everyone was very loveable, in black t-shirts and friendly moshing.

beard and laplands meadow

Went around and saw some great Aalto buildings and also wandered through the connected buildings and underground of Helsinki – such nice and interesting public spaces there. Connected courtyards and covered walkways. Aalto’s work is very nice to see in person. Quite basic in some way – like not overly articulated or fussy. He seems to be comfortable with the existence of mistakes and idiosyncrasies. Localized variation and expressed connections, without being as complex in articulation, like you might find in the work of Scarpa for example. Went to see his town hall at Saynastalo, which was so very nice. Such a great public building for a small island town. Somehow the brick and scale fits just perfectly in the tall pines.

Academic Bookshop, Helsinki, Aalto

Aalto's house

Saynatsalo Town Hall

Otherwise, I’ve been realizing how moved I am by the older buildings around Europe. They have a kind of gravity and a certain display of rigorous care. These days it seems we don’t make much that feels so well grounded, like it’s really a part of the city, part of the geography of the city. Hope I can get some of that gravity into my own work. Stockholm and Helsinki have both been inspirational in this way. And Uppsala still blows me away.

Helsinki, Academic Book Shop in Middle

Helsinki Main Terminal

coffee at the Swedish National Theater in Helsinki

Wooden Boats

2008-09-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

Meridiana Main House

It was a lovely time with Thorsten and Kora at Meridiana. They have many interesting ideas forming, and it seemed like the timing was very good for my involvement and help. They’re doing a fair amount to generate a sustainable settlement with their guest house and personal home, and are working hard to establish fertile grounds for ecological settlement on Kumlinge, Åland.

We had many nice meals together, and I was able to help construct a storage closet with the additions of some places for shelves/spice racks. Felt good to be engaged in physical work and construction. Went around the island by bicycle and foot and even had the chance to go out sailing in their smaller wooden boat.

It was also a lot of fun to help with design ideas for their winter garden. Fortuitous to find some tangible design connections to boat building and ecology. They were great to work through ideas with, and I think we arrived at a solution that made use of lots of good thinking from all of us. Also was very interesting to meet with their neighbors and develop some broader coordination about the overall vision for the area. We developed some very interesting ideas and toured around the immediate vicinity, looking at places with good potential for future ecological houses. Also arrived at the idea that it would be a good to start with some smaller bungalows that could be used by people who are considering moving there or need a place to live while they build their own.

Sailing with Thorsten and Kora

Visioning and Design Session with neighbors

This has led me to think about many ideas, including the possibility of developing various types of design/build courses to create these bungalows, and perhaps other projects in the eco-village. Also has gotten me thinking about ideal settings for community. The strengths of Meridiana relate to the connection to nature and the island feeling, as well as small scale agricultural potential and interesting local community. Their challenge will be to find people who are interested in living away from the city in a more self-sustained manner. I think they can manage, and it gets me thinking about how you generate interest in communal settlement in general. It suggests a rather large step aside from the normal living situation. I think efforts need to be made to associate community arrangements with more “normal” living situations. This may suggest working disassociate it from the perception of counter culture, or rebellion, as in the communal movements of the 70s. This is of course in the interest of spreading community options more broadly. In the case of Meridiana, I think they will do well to make use of their interest in nature and holistic medicine to develop interest. Although I also think tapping into the local interests in maritime tradition and perhaps art and natural retreat could also go a long way.

Uppsala Return

2008-09-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

Orienteering!

It was just right, having a bit of rest after the on-going community experiences. Visiting with some old friends, Petra and Carlos and meeting Nora was a nice relief – to be able to talk with someone I know and who has some familiarity with where I come from and what my frame of mind might be. Had many great talks with Petra about life and the future and the past. It is a kind of on-going aspect of this trip for me, that my personal interest is blending into these ideas of professional development. Makes some aspects a bit blurry, but on the other hand seems quite alright that the things I care about are woven through the things I do at home and the things I do with my expertise.

Had a nice time visiting old haunts, and walking the streets of Uppsala. Such a pretty little city. Went to some old cafes and institutions. Took a visit to the new concert house by Henning Larsen. Got to hear Carlos play with one of his bands. Also had a nice time talking to Petra’s friends, and trying out orienteering for the first time – thanks to Petra for the lesson. And also to the smiley face signs that let people on the easiest course know if they’re going the right way. It was me and several little kids. I almost won. Maybe with a bit more practice I can beat the little kids too!

Uppsala Konserthus

Uppsala Buildings, Cathedral Beyond

Petra and Carlos took me to a couple of interesting communities including Hoga in Uppsala and Jarna, a Steiner based collection of businesses with some associated housing. Steiner seems to be compatible with various communal ideas – although I’m concerned that the ideology may be overly-insular. But still have to read for myself what he had in mind.

Petra in front of cool blue building at Jarna

Purification waterfall for waste processing at Jarna

Jarna

Some other interesting ideas that came up during discussions with various people in Uppsala and Stockholm. Heard about one housing project where they had a simple common lease structure for a multi unit building, but had created a sort of skills inventory list of the various residents, so that people could have a kind of in-house trade and barter system going. Sweden seems to be full of social ideas for housing – various associations, and the common acceptance of more sharing of resources. However the intentional aspect seems to be rather lacking – or I heard the opinion several times that people were more inclined to keep to themselves and weren’t necessarily inclined to contribute to community needs beyond the specialization standard to today’s life. Still there are plenty of people interested. Made an additional connection to a community on Gotland that I’m going to try to visit if I can coordinate the timing.

Managed to catch up on posting to my blog and some various other arrangements that had been on hold. Excited to head on to Meridiana – seems like they have an interesting task to form a community in a place so distant from large cities, and cultural centers.

2008-08-15T03:38:00.000-07:00

Danish Hospitality

Vikings!

So the past couple of weeks have been quite incredible in terms of furthering my thoughts about community. I began at the eco-village at Hjortshoej, which was very interesting as a larger scale community that had formed around eco-living, but without any particular prescribed ideology. Each family has a reasonable amount of autonomy, and people living there more or less contribute to a nice feeling of neighborliness. I was very warmly welcomed and embraced by several of the people there, and made some excellent new friendships that I’m looking forward to nurturing over time. Thanks to the connections made at Hjortshoej, I was able to find out about several near by communities including Friland and Hertha – Got to spend a couple of days at Friland helping build an affordable eco-house, and experiencing a very exciting model in terms of building projects and community formation models.

I stayed with a couple of families in Hjortshoej and felt very welcomed. The houses there were very interesting, well built and environmentally friendly. And their proximity made for an interesting neighborhood feeling, with no cars among the houses, lots of places for kids to play and areas for informal and formal gatherings, meals, etc. it was delightful to take part in the meals and the excellent café og ca – so many good cakes in Denmark. Also a nice coziness about how meals are handled – even simple informal meals become a social setting for relaxing and connecting.

Some of the specific activities I’ve been involved in while in Denmark – I went to Hjortshoej with the idea that I would be helping to build a common house. And spent a week and a half contributing to that effort. They have a very nice common house, but as an oval footprint with angled walls, it’s a somewhat complex building to make. Still they will have a lovely place once it’s complete. I was involved with framing a complex wall, threading pipes for plumbing, and helping with laying down floor tiles. It was lovely working and talking with the different people there. And I’m embarrassed that I missed their wrap up party, because I went to Friland for some days and was unable to line up timing with work and busses. I didn’t realize that they wanted to send me off with the party, and am sad that I missed it. Still I have a great warm feeling about my time there and the people I got to know.

I went to a local African dance festival for a night with Kim, which was great – funny to see African dancing in Northern Denmark. But a nice kind of cross cultural event. Also was taken around by Niels to see the various communities near by and discuss community in general. This was an excellent exposure to ideas and I’m full of gratitude. Lots of interesting things that I may be able to apply to my home land. Also went to a Viking festival and battle re-enactment. With yelling and horses. And an exhibit about ice men. So, the time was very full and interesting.

Viewing Hertha with Niels

Friland

Going to Friland, I caught the last few days of a workshop that was developed to help build a house for some new residents. I participated building and sealing the roof, which was fun. Felt good to really work my body and make things with my hands. Got me excited to build some things of my own in the not so distant future. Hope I can find a good situation to start making things and developing ideas.

So the workshop was interesting – there seemed to be a variety of work experiences and expectations from the participants. Some mixture of working and wanting holiday. Perhaps some disconnect around what the education component would actually be.

Tonny and Ulla's house at Friland - Built for Workshop

So I have many thoughts about my time here, to list some of the things I’ve been thinking about: Ownership models, relationship of community settlements to the broader government and surrounding communities, scale of settlements, distance between houses and functions of common facilities, the need for common projects, and what types of projects lend themselves to communities, ideas about forming experimental communities, and about the relationship of community and entrepreneurship. Lots of eye openers. Well, Denmark is a place that has had a fair amount of eye opening connected to community.

Some things I want to investigate further: Högskolan and the fellow who started them – these after school programs developed to focus on learning without grading. Steiner philosophy.

So, my lingering impression of my time at these communities at Denmark is one of hopefulness. It was quite inspiring to see real world examples of people living together in a way that was environmentally responsible as well as creative in terms of architecture. Both places were quite adventurous with their design work, and with their social program. Hjorshoej was good as a model that is not too far off from what I could imagine would be desirable to the suburban market in the US. And Friland was completely eye opening in terms of connecting social and environmental responsibility in a way that took not only environmental factors into local hands, but economic and political as well. Very promising in terms of thinking of a community I might like to start myself.

2008-08-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Chook Reflections

Chicken Shack

Looking back at time spent at the Chicken Shack with Mr. Steve Jones. A fair amount of interesting experiences at the Shack. Enjoyed working on a design and thinking carefully about the intersection between community, business, site, nature and history. So, there are thoughts about integrated design process, and also thoughts about Wales and the UK. Also having visited CAT and had many interesting conversations with Steve, I have a collection of thoughts about sustainability, as well as permaculture.

Center For Alternative Technology - Rammed Earth Walls

It was nice to spend time just taking it easy and having some fun. Quite relaxed atmosphere at the Chicken Shack. Joined Steve at the Workhouse Festival, which takes place at the workhouse - an interesting community project and local venue. Lots of potential there. Gets me excited thinking about what could happen at such a resource. I can imagine an interesting combination of art, music, local business, maybe artists in residence, community events, etc. A nice project for community to form around.

Also had some nice dinners with various people and enjoyed everyone I met – many interesting people connected to the Chicken Shack, as well as some new friends that were there as volunteers. Nice meals and good talks.

chapel by the sea

Castell y Bere

The garden there was a powerful educational tool – showing principles of permaculture and making clear the importance of bio-diversity, and responsive settlement that works with the idea of natural systems. Excited to spend more time thinking about permaculture and integrating the ideas involved into my career and design approach.

It was great to spend time working on a design and engaging various people in the project to come to a building that would best suit the use and location. Also very nice to tour around Snowdonia and see the stone walls, hedgerows, and various stone buildings that are native to the area.

CS Permaculture Education Center Design

saying goodbye to Steve

Farm Factor

2008-07-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hereford Cathedral

Canon Frome was very interesting – still processing some of what was going on there. It basically created an atmosphere that connected all of the residents to farming. The effect was very exciting. Fresh, un-pasteurized milk, Goat yogurt and cheese, fresh eggs, veggies, berries, fruits, all from the fields and by the hands of the community. Inspiring. The community wasn’t fully off-grid, or completely sustainable, but they were quite far along in being able to manage without infrastructure.

This is sort of a theme that’s been on my mind – with climate and other environmental crises increasing, and the issues involved in peak oil, etc. There may be more and more of a need to revive self-sufficiency. Our modern world being about specialization, and segmentation, very few people know how to manage beyond their particular area of focus. If the energy sources become less available, few people would know how to make use of local resources to keep themselves fed and warm, etc. Not to mention not having access to resources in large cities and so forth.

In any case, I think there’s a lot to be said for community settlement as a way to increase the ability to do many things – to create more rounded and able folks. And I’m not referring to all the fresh cream and butter.

They were very hospitable at Canon Frome – I had set up my stay there through the WWOOF program, and was there with one other volunteer. They treated us both very well. Each night a different family fed us and provided a varied perspective on what was happening in the community.

Spent a fair amount of time pulling weeds and managing raspberries, but also got to help put together a Wendy House (AKA –play house) for the kids. Had some chances to milk goats, which just increases my conviction that some day, I must tend goats. Also got to take in the hay, which was a nice community event, and got me sweatin.

The surrounding farmlands are very beautiful. Rolling and pastoral. Went to the movies in Hereford one night which was interesting, as I hadn’t gone to a movie in ages. It was kind of fun to be entertained for the night.

Leaving Herefordshire, I have the feeling that the life at Canon Frome has many benefits and that it is a decent community – some good pearls of wisdom to pull from my time there. Excited to move along to the Chicken Shack where I’ll be helping them to design a permaculture center. It will be nice to shift over to some mental/creative work after my time working with plants and animals.

View of Canon Frome pasture

Wendy House

Micro

2008-07-20T02:56:00.001-07:00

06/25/08 – Canon Frome Court

After a bit of a breather from writing and planning at Monkton Wylde, I’ve made my way up to Canon Frome, in Herefordshire. Monkton was very beautiful – idyllic really, with the old stone building and gardens. The community was a bit shaky from recent transitions, but the people were very decent and largely friendly. Had some interesting conversations and made a couple of new friends.

Delving into the issues of communal living, much has been coming up around whether or not it really works, and if it does, the degree to which it is permanent or temporary. Monkton seemed to be a place where people would stay for short periods (1-5 years) then move on. Although it is also a place where people stay without any sort of ownership, and I imagine this lends itself to a feeling of impermanence – with the inability to be in control of your position / stability.

Some conversations site the inherent conflicts that occur in such close quarters. I’m trying to learn more about what that’s like - how intense the frictions can become, and how they build up. Also, how they’re managed. Seems like a community is a micro model of society in general. All the social issues are compounded and amplified. Same issues of government apply. So it’s a tricky bit figuring out how much to structure the social rules – finding that balance of restricting undesirable behavior and allowing personal freedom seems to be at the core of human beings.

Am very excited about Canon Frome – fully functioning complete farm including livestock. Members have private ownership of their housing units, structured in coordination with a share in the housing committee, as well as the farm lands and produce. Will write more about my impressions shortly. Off today to Hereford to see a cathedral and get a better sense of the surrounding context.

view from Monkton Wylde

Lyme Regis

sea wall at Lyme Regis

Aquarium buildng at Lyme Regis

Old guild hall at Lyme Regis - had fish and chips around the corner

Hit the road

2008-07-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

06/14/08 – London, England

Made it in to London with no problems – interesting to think about how traveling this time around feels different from my previous European tour. I feel more confident in my ability to handle a wide range of scenarios. Exploring cities and places to stay feels much simpler regarding my own internal barriers. Feeling open to experience and ready to try new things.

Although I’m also feeling slightly internal, just reflecting on my life in Boston and what It’s been like for me during the past 8 years. Lots has happened – and this trip feels in some way like closing a chapter, and starting a new one, or a bridge in a song maybe. Anyway, feels mighty cusp-y.

view from hostel

Stayed at a hostel near St. Pauls cathedral – apparently it used to be housing for the boys choir. Chatted with a fellow from Vancouver (named Frank, like my grandfather) and a fellow from South of England who was here showing his photography as an end of school show. Walked around, had fish and chips, drank a beer in a literally crooked pub called Cheshire Cheese. Looked at some buildings. Enjoyed the intricacy of the streets. A beautiful city for all it’s complexity and compounded clustering of building on top of building – Lots of variety in building style, packed closely together. Also lots of people in suits and ties.

Staying tonight and possibly tomorrow with my new friend Sue. Gonna head out to Monkton Wylde in Dorset (South England) either tomorrow night or Monday morning. After all the various transportation investigation, seems busses are the cheapest around England. Although I’m gonna keep my eyes peeled for a nicely priced motorcycle.

inside tate

new housing

spike collective

Preparations for Leaving Boston

2008-07-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

In the whirlwind of preparations, there's little time to reflect on the nuances of my upcoming travel. Its a bit like that 50 feet or so before the cliff ends and you gotta just jump off the edge into the water. Nonetheless, I'm formulating ideas to refine my exploration and set up enough structure to gain the most out of these upcoming months. Aspects of the research I'm working on at the moment:

1. Considering a dual approach to each community. One focused on meeting the needs of the community with little to no personal / aesthetic dictation. Another focused on consideration of what the community could need, based on my own knowledge. Perhaps a dual presentation of the two - two separate designs or recommendations, followed by a conglomerate scheme depending on reception

2. Thinking about funding sources and potentials for presenting the research later. Have a few resources in mind but will continue to fish.

3. Working on identifying people and types of people that I would like to foster connections with during my journey. Hoping to make some good connections and friendships along the way.

4. Finalizing my itenerary, trying to make good decisions about a broad range of community types, as well as lengths of stay that are useful to the community and to my research, but also give enough time for "chasing butterflies."

So, checking things off of my list and pulling together last bits and pieces, and of course trying to see my friends and associates before leaving. Had a great Gumbo going away party. Even wore Grandpa George's coat and shoes.