Maple Sugar Camp
- Ryan O'Connor
- Apr 10, 2008
- 2 min read
Client | Oneida Tribal School
Partner Agency/ Designer | Chris Cornelius (Studio Indigenous)
Services leveraged | 3D modeling, Fabrication efficiency, Space Planning, Material Selection, Inspiration & Trending, Architectural Diagrams
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Catalyst assisted Chris Cornelius of Studio Indigenous carry out the design of the Maple Sugar Camp on the Oneida Reservation. Catalyst worked specifically on 3D rendering, schematic design drawings, presentation drawings, design communication & architectural diagrams. As part of the schematic design drawings, Catalyst used 3D modeling to figure out the fabrication of the oculus on the roof which aligns with the summer solstice and The Pleiades constellation. The round aperture tipped at angle also met the sloped shed roof creating a compound angle what changed for each facet of the opening adding complexity.
As a partner on this, it's sometimes best to hear the description from the designer themselves:
from Studio Indigenous website (Chris Cornelius)
"This 800 square foot project constructed of cordwood masonry will serve the Oneida Tribal School and Oneida Eco-Services Department. Its primary use is a place where maple sap is boiled down to syrup; the tapping of maple trees and using it as a natural sweetener is a cultural tradition for the Oneida. This seasonal ritual is initiated by reading the environment to know when the sap is ready. Oneida tradition states the sap begins to run after the first clap of thunder of the late winter wakes-up the trees. The Oneida moon calendar includes a maple syrup moon to mark the time for this activity.
The building is also an observational device. The ventilation cone is used to see the “seven dancers” i.e. The Pleiades. Once this constellation is directly overhead it signals the Mid-Winter Ceremony. This ceremony celebrates the winter and looks forward to the spring.
The cultural importance of celestial observation to the Oneida has diminished over time. It was used to signal many events in nature including a notification that the Earth is ready for cultivation or harvesting. This building seeks to render visible the importance of that celestial observation, once again. The cordwood utilized to build this structure comes from harvesting the accumulation of fallen trees across the reservation. The students of the Oneida elementary and middle school will provide some of the labor needed to make the wood masonry walls."
It is also amazing to work in partnership with such talented and inspiring designers. Chris has an amazing hand and is able to craft beautiful sketches, water colors, and what can only be described at treasured jewel boxes for physical models. Aggregate was lucky enough to be a part of this project.
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