Reader Mail - The Stump

Here is another post in the series of Reader Mail that was recently shared with the founder of Shelter Publications, Lloyd Kahn: 

The Stump, built in reverence and resemblance to the beaver’s favorite sculptural form, was made from a timber-frame structure infilled with precast concrete walls. This octagonal labor of love was built on an old granary pad in Water Valley, Alberta, by the Black Griffin family. 

The Black Griffins used red cedar reclaimed from interior British Columbia forest fire areas, poplar (generally considered a “weed tree”), recycled windows, and donated timbers and sawdust from the generous local sawyer. Built in true organic improvisational style, the technical plans that were etched on scraps of wood are now long gone, transformed from ideas into heat from the hearth.

Crafted with the help of supportive friends and family of all ages, and tapping into local waste streams to form the bones of the building, The Stump was an exercise in pushing boundaries, inspiring future generations of young builders, and creating spatial magic.

Thanks again for reaching out. I really appreciate you and the work you do!

Cheers,

Bruen Black

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Bruen, and for being a longtime reader of Shelter books!