When Hale Freezes Over

Rural Studio’s 2025 spring semester has begun in earnest. Eleven 3rd-years have moved in and are ready to make an impact in the program. Since our classmates left Rural Studio after the fall semester, we’ve eagerly awaited to taking part in and helping with Mark’s Home, as well as seeing what life is like here in Newbern. 

Studio: On Your Mark

After a day of introductions, we got to explore Hale County with a tour of past Rural Studio projects, where we learned the history of the program. Newbern, like much of the South, is larger than life, carried more by myth and stature than any streets or signposts. We were presented with the work of students from decades prior. At Perry Lakes Park, students enjoyed the deconstructed bathrooms, and birding tower.

We were given a 3D modeling exercise to familiarize ourselves with Mark’s Home. We were charged with recreating the building piece by piece using the construction documents our classmates developed in the fall. To help with this process, the presentation team from last semester spoke with us, giving insights into their process and into Mark himself. The first deliverable of the semester is an exploded axonometric drawing of Mark’s Home with annotations showing errors and missing details. It’s been very rewarding to dig into so much detail right at the start of the project.

With this assignment came a discussion about the future of the project. The home will include important research into the cost and time associated with CLT (cross laminated timber) use for the benefit of the Front Porch Initiative. Our studio work for this semester will largely be to surround the enclosure and structure of the home, and on site, we will be laying and pouring the foundation, handling the plumbing, and managing site drainage. 

New project work was put on hold, however, for the start of Rural Studio’s “Neckdown” Week, a time when we focus on upkeep and maintenance. The Studio has several ongoing construction projects, as well as many that need repair, as all projects do eventually. For one week, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., we were thrown into the mix of whatever projects needed work, from replacing the walkway at Perry Lakes Park, to shoveling dirt at the nearby student Bathhouse. Nobody leaves “Neckdown” Week without feeling sore!

Woodshop: You might want to sit for this

One of the most exciting aspects of Rural Studio is the Woodshop. Nestled in a seemingly disused building from what looks like a century ago, the Woodshop is essential to the hands-on approach around which the program is built. In addition to their design-build work, 3rd-year students are given the opportunity to develop woodworking skills, learn to use new tools, and further their understanding of design in a different context. 

So far in the Woodshop, 3rd-years have been given initial shop training, shown the basics of using the table saw, and given the assignment that runs throughout the entire semester: the recreation of a famous wooden chair. Students were assigned to one of four group and each group was assigned a different chair and tasked with researching the background, dimensions, and assembly of the chair. Eventually, the class will be cutting and assembling wood to create their pieces, something each of us is very excited about.

Instructor Steve Long has us all deeply interested in the world of furniture design and the modern designers we will be emulating. His enthusiasm for the shop and the work he does is infectious: we are all excited for the classes to come. Before the chairs though, we will be making our own drafting boards.

History: Let’s get Classical

On Convocation Day, we were introduced to maybe the most interesting teacher here, Instructor Dick Hudgens, who teaches the history course at Rural Studio. The prospect of touring and documenting century old homes is exciting, and Dick’s character is more than enough to energize us about what’s to come. 

Student Life: Be the Baker Ball

The incoming 11 3rd-year students moved in: six students settled into the well-loved pod housing behind Morrisette House, while five other students moved into the nearby being-refurbished Victorian Spencer House. Although many are sad that they missed the big snowstorm back on main campus in Auburn, each student has thoroughly tested their heater as Hale County saw below freezing temperatures for the first two weeks.

Prior to the marathon that is “Neckdown” Week, life in Newbern was peaceful: Many sat quietly reading. Asher played a flute, Jesse did origami. At Morrisette, we enjoyed playing bocce ball, basking in the sun, or tossing around a football. At Spencer House, the women befriended a stray cat named Tank, a big, greedy tabby.

Some students tried their luck at trivia night at The Stable, a coffee shop in neighboring Greensboro. Battling a group of locals, one Auburn group managed to come out on top and win in their first ever attempt. The five-strong group of Auburn students remembered the name of the car from Gone in 60 Seconds and guessed how many stitches are on a baseball, going home with the spoils of free pizza and smug grins.

Stick around for our next blog! It’s going to be quite the semester.