Studio: Karting through Concepts

Welcome back to the 3rd-year blog! We have been busy. As the Halloween Reviews approached, we began working on detailed drafts and renderings of our Empathetic Pencil drawings. These drawings were meant to capture our observations and insights gathered over the past few weeks about Mark’s house and his way of life. 

As we neared the Halloween Reviews, we focused our designs specifically on Mac’s Home and how to add an exterior safe room that best suited the site and Mark. This led us into various explorations of how the safe room and surrounding spaces could be optimized, giving special attention to the ways in which these spaces could offer functionality, comfort, and security for Mark. Through this process, we aimed to create the ideal living environment tailored to his lifestyle.

The Halloween Reviews went wonderfully, and we are thrilled to move forward with the valuable feedback we received from our guest reviewers.

Site: Making our Mark

On site, we thoroughly documented Mark’s property to determine the ideal location for his future home. We used a site level to map the topography, gaining insights into the grading and natural water flow, which would be key in planning drainage and ensuring the stability of the structure. We also identified the location of the septic tank field lines, helping us define the precise buildable area and avoid any potential issues.

After this analysis, we presented our proposed house placement and design to Mark. Through carefully prepared perspectives, construction documents, and a detailed floor plan, we conveyed our design vision in a way that brought his future home to life, sparking his excitement for the project ahead.

Woodshop: Sit Happens

Over the past month, we 3rd-years have been creating chair mockups in Instructor Steve Long’s Woodshop class, using this process to experiment with techniques and find the best construction methods for our final pieces. These mockups are essential for testing each design element, from joinery techniques to structural integrity, helping us identify what will make our final chairs both functional and beautifully crafted. With Steve’s expertise, we are learning to master various woodworking tools and methods, which streamline complex processes and improve our precision.

The shop has become a place for collaborative learning as we explore advanced techniques like steam bending wood into curved forms and carefully assembling and gluing components for lasting stability. Together, we are gaining hands-on experience and honing skills that go beyond basic woodworking. As we near completion, we are excited to see all the effort and teamwork come to life in our final chairs, and we cannot wait to share the finished results.

History: West (Alabama) is Best

In history class, we are continuing to visit historical sites around West Alabama. They have offered valuable insights into past architecture and preservation techniques. Our first stop was Old Cahawba, the original capital of Alabama, now an abandoned town rich with history. We toured the site by wagon, exploring old streets and vacant properties, including St. Luke’s Church, which has been revitalized with help from Rural Studio. Next, the class visited Pitts Folley in Uniontown, where Dudley Long, Rural Studio’s Office Administrator, and her aunt gave us a tour of their family’s historic property. We examined structural issues with the columns, gaining a firsthand look at the challenges of preserving older buildings. In Demopolis, we explored The Oaks, where Instructor Dick Hudgens has a friend who has not only preserved but also enhanced his historic property, blending original elements with his own to amplify the beauty of the home. Along with these visits, we’re working diligently on our Beaux-arts watercolor drawings to make sure they are perfect for Soup Roast at the end of the semester. 

Student Life: Falling for Rural

When we are not busy working, we spend our time celebrating, relaxing, or creating. We have all grown closer to each other, the community, and the animals, especially our favorite cat, Tank. In celebration of the spooky season, we spent a weekend at a pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins with the community during Rural Studio’s annual Pumpkin Carve. We also built karts for our group costume at Halloween Reviews. We celebrated birthdays, including a special picnic for Isaac at Lion’s Park where we came together and created a combination of American and New Zealand dishes. The leaves are falling, and things are a-changin’ around here so stay tuned for our next post. See y’all soon!