Making in the forest

Abstract

This thesis explores making, dwelling, and material knowledge through active engagement with the natural environment. A remote forested site in northern Ontario serves as the setting for an immersive study in which only locally available materials and a limited set of hand tools are used to make essential objects, furniture, and architecture. The process begins with a deep understanding of the site and the available resources. Through iterative making studies, various methods of making are explored, allowing the inherent properties of each material to guide design and fabrication. As the studies progress, they culminate in the design and construction of a dwelling, shaped not by conventional architectural methods but by the transformative knowledge gained through hands-on engagement with the environment and materials. This thesis examines the intersection of making and place, revealing how meaningful design can emerge from an intimate relationship between maker, material, and site.