Project by Nicole Kertznus
This project emerges from a deep investigation into the knowledge systems embedded in fiber-based construction from the agricultural rhythms of straw harvesting to the embodied craftsmanship of Typha weaving and roof thatching. Drawing on both theoretical and empirical forms of knowledge, it maps how material intelligence, labor practices, and environmental cycles converge to shape not just buildings, but cultures of making. These systems are treated not as background conditions, but as central design drivers revealing how architecture can serve as a repository and amplifier of regional, ecological, and craft-based knowledge.
The result is a reimagined chicken coop that prioritizes both animal wellbeing and adaptive reuse. Designed with straw bale load-bearing walls, a stone thermal foundation, and a Typha thatch roof tile system, the coop creates a thermally stable, breathable, and sheltering microclimate that supports the physiological needs of chickens across seasons. Its form is calibrated to solar orientation welcoming low winter sun and blocking harsh summer rays while also allowing for future transformation into a workshop space for communal craft exchange. The coop thus becomes more than a shelter: it is a knowledge hub, bridging species care, vernacular construction, and architectural pedagogy.
