Metamorphosis - Architecture and Difference - Digital Sketchbook

Jeremy Daniel St.Pierre ARCH5515 Journal - How I lost, and found myself in my own community

met路a路mor路pho路sis

This is my digital sketchbook

This is my work

This is how i learnt

This is how the land taught me

This is what the land told me to design

This is for the nbisiing ojibwe anishinaabe people

This is my digital sketchbook

Thank you ¡ Merci ¡ Miigwech

understanding my design methodology

class uno - fri. sep. 11

Architecture and difference - comment que je commance a c mon environnement?

class uno - fri. sep. 11

comprendre

health - how does architecture improve health health - how does architecture impact health

Metamorphosis is Jeremy’s fifth-year project in Kai Wood Mah’s design studio “Architectu

Northern communities are greatly influenced by Westernized culture; from construction methods to health regulations, most policies are derived from Western culture. What abou who inhabited the land pre-colonization? How are these indigenous communities getting by abiding by systematic Westernized standards? The question is far greater than what I can answer, but this project aims to understand and learn how these communities can be influ “our” Westernized world. As we continue to develop new medicine and health guidelines, O often forget to embrace traditional values and cultures into our own understanding of th to begin this conversation in a historical context, the Indigenous people of Canada have colonialization resulting in the vicious repression of their culture and rights through residential schools1. The unequal power distribution and lack of rights for this minorit colonizers, Indigenous people were unwilling participants in this cultural genocide. The determinants of health that affect indigenous people are income, education, employment, conditions, and social support systems, all of which have been impaired by the impacts o exclusion2. Further social determinants of health that are not classically defined but a people include loss of language and connection to land, environmental deprivation, and disconnectedness3. The question lies here; how can we stop for one minute, and just list what other cultures have to say, offer, and teach us. My project aims not to break socia design a new medical facility based around indigenous (Nbisiing Anashnaabe) cultures, bu work with, and engage this community into a more sustainable, healthy and beneficial way My project starts by doing field research, surveying and conversing with the Nbisiing pe Nipissing No.10. Although I’ve conducted vigorous online research in relation to statist Health and First Nations in Ontario, what I’m trying to discover is our commonalities in land we share. This methodology of engaging the people in a direct, genuine matter is fu in order for me to acknowledge and understand their relation to the land. My research wi represented through various mediums, including; film, photography, cartography, drawing, prototyping ideas in the built environment of Nipissing No. 10. Metamorphosis is highly analysis and research, as the indigenous population cares for their land like one of the project will make me grow a better understanding of how architecture can re-connect peop native landscape and their traditional values as a method of healing. After speaking wit Nbisiing residents of Garden Village) and they’ve informed me in similar manors that the makes them love being here in Northern Ontario. Each of these people told me their typic lifestyle which included, morning walks, gardening, being outside, hunting, fishing and family. When asked, in a very vague, open-ended question, their traditional healing meth them said they’re not in touch with traditional values like they used to, but they do pr medical resources available on the reservation although limited. Metamorphosis derives f traditional indigenous teachings, it is a place of well-being, safety and respect. As th and grows, my goal is the create an architecture that speaks feeds the land, nourishes t teaches the people of West Nipissing with architecture as the mediator.

Metamorphosis is a space where Nbisiing people can go read on the medicinal plants that area, and how to harvest them. It’s a place where Nbisiing people can go see a physician oppressed by the lingering stigma of waiting rooms, white walls, and racial injustices o Canadian medical system. It’s a place where a community garden is in place to help feed, stress, and inform the people of Garden Village of the nutrients that are available in o place of well-being, and a place of change. Metamorphosis is a project

ure and Difference�.

ut the people y without n solemnly uential to Ontarians hings. If we were e endured the use of ty, as created by e primary living of social apply to indigenous

ten. Listen to al norms nor ut to learn, y of life. eople of tics involving n how we use the ueling my ideas ill be , and driven by site eir own. This ple to their th multiple e land, is what cal day-to-day being around hods, each of refer to use the from he project evolves the people of Garden Village and

are in the n and not be of the typical , decrease our backyard. It’s a

fri. oct.

09

mon. sep.

14 Fieldwork

voire plus de plantes, vous ĂŞtes trouvĂŠes

The Site

The site is located at a 40 minute 30-minute walking distance, and a 4-minute car this thorough consideration, I decided I didn’t want to build onto the reservatio lage slowly take back the land that was once their own. Situating the structure o ing people a place to find refuge off their land, which is one step towards a cha

zoom in - zoom out - comment que je vois le territoire qu’ont as pris

I did some self-reflexive thinking about the community and mapped out the invisible barriers that are in place between Sturgeon Falls and Nipissing 10. This shaded area is what I’ve determined to be shared land, the grey area in which the community transitions into the reservation.

r ride from Garden Village. After giving on. I chose to do so to help Garden Viloutside the reservation gives the Nbisianging community.

mon. sep.

17

map de garden vilage mais comment que moi j’utilise l’espace

From there I mapped out all my personal activities that occur on this shared land. These activities that are you know, biking, walking, hiking, all help me with stress relief, they help me keep active and they help me stay connected with the woodlands that are in my back yard.

wed. sep.

23

wed. sep.

23

wed. sep.

23

wed. sep.

23

wed. dec.

02

carte des plantes dans la région

“SHARED LAND”

PROPOSED SITE

30MIN WALKING RADIUS GARDEN VILLAGE

Cedar

Sweet Pine flag

Sweet Balsam Yarrow Wheat Devils’ Worm Juniper flag Fir grass Club wood

my own findings - live

wed. sep.

18

resources Ă wn

Devil’s Club

For many Indigenous peoples of Western Canada, this is one of the important medicines, although it is very prickly and difficult to vest. It is a panacea and general tonic, and used to treat many d ailments. Traditionally used in solution to treat rheumatism, art ulcers, stomach and digestive tract ailments, colds, coughs, infl bronchitis and tuberculosis, it is also applied externally as a p or wash for boils, wounds, broken bones, burns, and infections. I been used in recent times to treat diabetes and cancer. Devil’s-c also recognized as a strongly spiritual plant and is used to brin and protection against any negative influences.

Choke cherry well known to Canada’s Indigenous peoples as a remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and colds, and has also been used to treat heart trouble, blood poisoning, infections, tuberculosis and smallpox. It is also used as a general tonic.

Wormwood

These aromatic shrubs or herbaceous perennials are widely used, as infusions or inhalants, to treat colds, coughs, and respiratory They are also prepared as washes or poultices for wounds, skin irr and infections, blisters, sprains, sores and swellings, or as a ba for rheumatism, arthritis and muscular aches and pains.

e most o hardiverse thritis, luenza, poultice It has club is ng luck

Juniper Berries Infusions or decoctions of juniper are taken to treat coughs, lung disease, tuberculosis, stomach pains, indigestion, vomiting and kidney troubles among other ailments

wed. sep.

23

American Sweet Flag

y ailments. ritations athing solution

used as a panacea and to treat a broad spectrum of ailments: upset stomach, sore throat, colds and coughs, respiratory and lung ailments like pneumonia, toothache, earache, heart disease, headache, cramps, sore chest, cholera, and smallpox. It was also taken by women after childbirth

Field Mint The minty smell of this and other mint species is due to menthol and other volatile oils. Many Indigenous peoples turn this plant into a beverage, but also drink it as a medicinal tea to treat colds, coughs, chest pains, stomach pains and heart ailments. It is also believed to help prevent illness, such as flu.

map from user perspective collage photography film drawing interview ask people how they view the land

go outside - comment qu’un architecture peux supporter un site vide

wed. oct.

06

okay bien comment que je commence a penser a une typologie et une methodologie

wed. oct.

06

my site analysis was a copious amount of film, photography, walking, breathing and understanding the land

wed. oct.

06

now what

tue. dec.

08

Healthy shared ecosystem relying on one another

More plant growth = more harvesting & traditional medicins

thu. oct.

08

Not only keepeing but helping the fauna on the land

Leads to healthier soil for more plant growth

what the hell is this shared land? explain yourself

Diagrammes Cycles comment mon projet informe le site

map out WN and different sectors:

fri. oct.

09

where non-indigenous people go, or get health care (my personal route) where Nbisiing people go for health care or how they use their land for health care and map that out and map out where we BOTH use that same land for personal health treatments

The Users Although Metamorphosis was derived from indigenous teachings, the users are not limited to Nbisiing people. The structure is a place where all people can come to learn indigenous teachings, medicinal plants and to seek basic medical advice.

mon. oct.

19

As my fieldwork continued, I started finding more and more layers of information relating to vegetation, fauna, and life that has outdated my own life here in West Nipissing. The intent of this rigorous fieldwork is to understand in depth what the site means to life beyond humans, so that I can preserve it and help it flourish with my structure.

Need to further understand what is really happening on this site?

Structure oriented N-S to block western winds

Community garden

Site axo - design orientation site design program analysis

mon. oct.

19

Architecture designed to enable the site

Adding trees to site to create juxtaposition between the forground middleground (the architetcure) and the background (existing nature)

Design Methodology I consider my methodology to be learning from the people and the land. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I cannot recall one time where the profs encouraged me to go out and talk to people to learn about their land or my project site location. Now that I can choose how I go about with my research and methodology, I’m very happy to be talking and learning from Nbisiing people. Although I’ve only started my research, I’ve learnt a fair amount from these generous people who were willing to share information about their daily life with a stranger, me.

Simultaneously, I’m researching academic articles and textbooks as another perspective on this issue of health and indigenous communities in the North.

As of now, I’ve been using cartography as a method of mapping my ideas, learnings and research about indigenous land and my own community. These maps are an efficient way to translate basic findings through drawing format. When creating these maps, I often learn something new, whether it is the actual size of the site, its connection to other sites etc.

I used Research-Creation as Methodology Chapman & Sawchuk, “Research: Intervention, Analysis and “Family Resemblances.” as a guide and reference to my method of research-creation.

fri. nov.

13

This text helped me think outside of the typical “primary sources� mindset the educational system has put upon students for the past hundred years. This text inspired me to look at research differently, I took this opportunity to go out and talk to people. I went out, not trying to learn, but to simply be genuine and friendly. This made me appreciate what people had to tell me in a less formal, but very helpful way.

The Design

okay but what is this structure?

stilts to be off the land?

fri. sep.

25

typologie longhouse

faire relation a la nature

non - avec/coller/ faire partie du landscape

block westernized world

wed. nov.

25

Creating a healthy space

00

Office as on

Interior harvesting for people who want to cultivate plants year round

01

11

02

03

Exterior harvesting for people for the community

04

05

06

wed. nov.

25

Library filled with literature local medicinal plants, and every day reading

e for personal use, as well site resources

07

00.

01.

02.

03.

04.

05.

08

09

ceremonial circle exterior seating area interior harvesting office space office space storage

10

06.

07.

08.

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11.

office space universal washroom washroom vestibule library exterior harvesting

Figure out the structure and how the office curtain wall attaches to the timber frame

it’ll attach with clamps/ bracket system that the glass slides in is attached to and then bolted to the wall

doesn’t go all the way to ceiling, doesn’t need to be a glass box that encapsulates you

wed. nov.

25

keep in sight the idea of opening up to nature and ignoring westernized standards

wed. nov.

25

how would this structure look and perform in the winter months

lighitng on the wood facade?

lighitng in the wood facade

fri. dec.

04

preliminary render

Looks pretty rough but this render / collage was to start exploring lighting and to start to imagine the building with sturgeon snow drifts

Creating a healthy space Passive Heating

Thermal gain

View of surr

Air exchanges

Clean oxygen through photosynthesis

Resources for

Geothermal Heating

Passive Lighting through pv panels

Archive of me

In-ground water collection tank

Use of organic / recycled materials

Hopefully cre

rounding nature for well-being

sat. nov.

28

Exterior and interior harvesting

r health / personal issues

Outdoor community event space

edicinal plants in the area

Using indigenous longhouse typology

eating a home away from home

Reconnecting to nature

sat. nov.

28

forcing the eye to look at the surrounding nature

redirecting the user to appreciate indigenous land

mon. nov.

30

what does this mean for our community

tue. dec.

01

sun. dec.

06

view from

tue. dec.

01

interior harvesting - connection to nature manipulating nature looking at nature

the street - closed facade

novembre Ă mars

avril Ă octobre

thu. dec.

10

bureaux et circulation

bureaux, circulation et rĂŠcolte

heating and ventilation creating a microclimate for plants and harvesting

thu. dec.

10 heating “lamps” can be tucked away when needed

tue. dec.

01

books on what, how and when to harvest indigenous medicinal plants such as: devils club juniper berries yarrows and choke cherries

thu. dec.

10

wed. dec.

03

BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS ON WHERE TO FIND AND HOW TO HARVEST DEVIL’S CLUB

CHOKE CHERRIES HARVESTED IN THE SURROUNDING BERMS

INDOO PLANT BERRI

OR HARVEST OF MEDICINAL TS SUCH AS JUNIPER IES

wed. dec.

03

AMERICAN SWEETFLAG IS GROWN AND HARVESTED OUTSIDE

TRADITIONAL, CHARRED RECLAIMED WOOD CHARRED WOOD KNOWN FOR ITS GOOD OMEN, ALSO SYMBOLISES STRENGTH

A 1

.5

0

COMMUNITY GARDEN

CLOSED FRONT FACADE TURNING BACK ON MODERN SOCIETY

wed. dec.

03

TRADITIONAL, UNPAINTED RECLAIMED SACRED RED CEDAR SACRED RED CEDAR POSITIVE ENERGIES, CEDAR BOUGHS ARE ALSO WAVED TO PURIFY HOMES

B

THE ARCHITECTURE IS FRAMING THE IGNORED NATURE

mon.

07

dec.

i always liked this photograph

wed. sep.

23

it tells the story of the juxtaposition between a typical western barn, thats sitting on sacred land healthy land - unused

tue. dec.

08

systems section - trying to understand the building as a functioning member of the site

thu. nov.

26

devils club on my site

thu. nov.

26

a physical element of my project, a pamphlet that maps out the medicinal plants in the area and how to harvest them, hopefull ypeople could fill i more plants that ive missed

sun. dec.

06

thank you to the people who answered my questions

thank you to my indigenous friends who helped me design

thank you to the interviewees that were brutally honest

thank you to the indigenous land that i have conducted my research upon

this was my digital sketchbook

tue. dec.

15

ARCH5155

FIN 18.12.2020

Thank you · Merci · Miigwech