Admist the Covid-19 crisis, project designers Tim and Joe hatched together a plan “to build something public to fill a parking space”. Agreeing that they both love boat building technology, they devised a prototype they call the “Street Beetle”. They brought on author Nick Butler, who shares love for vernacular architecture, to provide a project narrative.
1/4 of life size progress model views. Bench Profiles, Cladding the form with cedar strips and detail view of cladding.
““We wanted a space where people can sit and have conversation, safely seated opposite each other on a long curved bench, yet connected,””
Design
“Street Beetle” is a small covered space suitable seating for up to 5 people. The building technology references Eau Claire as a “river town” borrowing directly from construction used to build a wooden canoe.
Details and Materials
The primary material is reclaimed urban ash. The exterior is stained orange, so as to be clearly seen by passerby. The interior walls and girders are finished with a technique called “shou sugi ban” which uses charring to preserve the wood. A wooden circular wooden bench is offset from the burnt walls creating a juxtaposition of light being held by the dark. All materials are locally sourced including steel reinforced joinery. Traditional fiberglass coating (soy based) makes the work structurally sound and suitable for outdoors. The work is about the size of a car, only taller: ~ 8’ x 9’ x 7.5’ and fits on a skid steer trailer.
Programming/Theme
The seating will allow a visiter to be literally floating within the space of the charred walls. Within this charged space, our team is developing queries which probe coexistence with our fellow humans and nature. These queries will be inscribed into the interior. In a time of political and racial division, we are directly probing the prevalence of white supremacy dominance in our history and current cultural friction.
Community Collaborators
Construction of the work will happen with Memorial High School and North High School woodworking students on off days of school this fall and winter under pandemic working guidelines. Tim brings experience working with youth groups. “One of the main reasons this project excites me is the ability to work with youth during its creation. In addition to my work as an artisan, my past includes extensive work with youth, specifically teens. From 2000 to 2009, I worked as a youth minister for the Milwaukee Church of Christ. The satisfaction that comes from helping teens learn about themselves and realize their potential is something I am excited to revisit through this project.”
Grant Recipient:
WEDC and Arts Wisconsin “We’re All In Creative Workforce”
Collaborators:
Joe Maurer: Artist + Project Design Lead
Tim Burdnicki: Tree Purpose, Artist + Craftsman
Nick Butler: Author + Narrator
Project Budget: $25,000.00