Auburn University Rural Studio was selected to participate in PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity, the U.S. Pavilion exhibition at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This work, Rev. Walker’s Home, contributes to the broader dialogue on the role of architecture in fostering generosity, connection, and cultural exchange.
“The porch, as one of my writing spaces,
serves as more than just a physical setting:
it becomes a spiritual sanctuary. The
openness of the porch allows me to be
surrounded by nature, feeling the wind,
hearing the sounds of life, and witnessing
the changing sky. This connection with
creation stirs reflection, deepens my
thoughts, and inspires words that carry
both wisdom and emotion.
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“The porch symbolizes being on the
threshold—neither fully inside nor fully
outside—mirroring the balance between
the internal, i.e. self, and the external, i.e.
the world. It becomes a sacred space
where thoughts flow freely, and divine
inspiration feels closer, shaping the words I
put to paper.”
— Rev. Reginald (Reggie) Walker
Rev. Walker’s Home expands the porch space, inviting reflection and imagination while providing solutions to practical housing needs. The post-frame structure’s enveloping porch adds space in a home without introducing structural failure. It creates a threshold that masterfully blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, private and public, reflective and social.
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Practically, post-frame structures are places of action and protection: New structures can be built quickly, simply, and affordably under a robust infrastructure. This design-build strategy is less impacted by adverse weather and accommodates phased construction that can be completed over time, when resources become available and needs change.
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Conceptually, this approach requires the re-thinking of a home—from a single, enclosed structure to an open collage of smaller buildings, connected by their shelter. As Rev. Walker’s (Reggie’s) family evolves, structures can be added reliably to house members of his kinship network. He can fill the space judiciously and intentionally, suiting his needs and imagination.
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Personally, with more porch space than building footprint, Reggie’s home serves his desire to be outside as much as he is inside. The placement of structures creates a public porch in the front for socializing and a private porch in the back for personal reflection. The openness connects him to nature. He cooks in the remains of a fireplace, socializes at the picnic table, and writes as the wind rustles the leaves in the trees and animals stir.
Auburn University Rural Studio® is an off-campus design-build program, rooted in Hale County and part of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. In large part, we are funded by donations.
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Our core mission is the education of our students, coupled with research on sustainable, healthful rural living through both housing and the vital systems we foster to ensure our communities thrive. We are committed to cultivating students who are both local architects and citizens of the world.
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To date, Rural Studio has built more than 200 projects and educated more than 1,250 students in the Black Belt in a context-based service-learning curriculum, where students live and work alongside our neighbors, finding solutions together. Visit our About page to learn more.
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We don’t exist without help. Although Auburn University covers administration costs for Rural Studio during the 9-month academic year, the Studio relies entirely on gift and grant funds to build projects. Additional costs are associated with keeping the Studio’s doors open 12 months a year. One of the great things about giving to Rural Studio is that 100% of your gift goes to Rural Studio. There are many ways to support the Rural Studio. One of the easiest is to donate directly online. Or visit our Give page for other ways to donate.
