Knitting the fabric of the outport: adaptable fragile architecture as a pathway to a new commons in rural Newfoundland

Abstract

Declining, aging populations and a growing emphasis on heritage preservation present an exaggerated, objectified image of life in rural Newfoundland. By exploring outport culture through the lens of knitting, a deeper understanding of the spatial systems and tectonic principles that informed vernacular architecture and supported resilient communal life is uncovered. This research addresses how adaptable architecture can facilitate the reimagining of the outport commons by integrating lessons from traditional making practices to promote resilience, collective care, and an evolving culture. Drawing on an analysis of fragile vernacular systems, this thesis proposes a flexible approach to a New Commons in three outport communities on the Bonavista Peninsula. The system employs repurposed materials from local abandoned structures, recognizable construction methods, and adaptable components that respond to environmental conditions, community needs, and inevitable change. The resulting framework aims to re-establish shared, functional spaces and create opportunities for sustainable, continually evolving outport communities.