Nick Hamel: Recalibrating Rustic

A Parametric Evolution of Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular

KEYWORDS
MEDes
Mass timber

SUPERVISOR
Joshua Taron

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Joshua Taron, Alberto de Salvatierra, Studio North, Eleanor Luxton Foundation, Peter Poole, Randall McKay, Adam Angelidis, Paige Berling-Mackenzie

Recalibrating Rustic: an MEDes thesis by Nick Hamel, MArch

Recalibrating Rustic: A Parametric Evolution of Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular

When the intersection of a region’s local construction culture, material preferences and climate are studied, one will often find the presence of vernacular architecture. In the case of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, there lies many historical examples of vernacular, rooted in timber construction in response to a harsh mountain climate. This thesis not only seeks to uncover history of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular (CRMV) through field investigation, case study and literature review but to discuss its future as well. By looking to contemporary building practice, the thesis starts discussing its future by looking to the promising material supply chain of cross laminated timber (CLT) and exposing what prevents more architecture from being constructed from it right now. Finally, the thesis summarizes the development of a novel yet accessible parametric workflow that aims to guide architectural design towards the creation of cutting edge yet functional forms of vernacular architecture.


Region and Context

Canadian Rocky Mountain Region

Canadian Rocky Mountain Region

Scope of Field Study

Scope of Field Study


Case Studies

Case Study: The Beaver Lodge

Case Study: The Beaver Lodge

Case Study: The Stable Diagram

Case Study: The Stable Diagram


Typology Study

Typology: Chateauesque Drawing

Typology: Chateauesque Drawing

Typology: Chateauesque

Typology: Chateauesque

Typology: Modest Miner

Typology: Modest Miner

Typology: Modest Miner Drawing

Typology: Modest Miner Drawing

Typology Parkitecture Drawing

Typology: Parkitecture Drawing

Typology: Parkitecture

Typology: Parkitecture

Typology: Settler's Cabin

Typology: Settler's Cabin

Typology: Settler's Cabin Drawing

Typology: Settler's Cabin Drawing

Generations of Wall Profile

Generations of Wall Profile


The Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Supply Chain

The Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Supply Chain

Proposed new parametric workflow

The thesis summarizes the development of a novel yet accessible parametric workflow that aims to guide architectural design towards the creation of cutting edge yet functional forms of vernacular architecture. 

Param House Conceptual Diagram

Param House Conceptual Diagram

Museum Addition Design in Param House

Museum Addition Design in Param House

Museum Addition Site Isometric

Museum Addition Site Isometric

Roof Diagrams

Articulations of Museum Addition Design