Mapping as Design: A Resource-Based Approach to Rural Design in the United States
Briefly

In 1982, a presentation at a Tucson conference revealed that rural Texas is not resource-poor but rich in materials like volcanic ash, caliche, and mesquite. Architect Pliny Fisk III used hand-drawn maps to illustrate this abundance, challenging prevailing architectural notions that prioritize mass-produced materials. Standard resource maps often overlook local materials, focusing instead on industrial supply chains. This perspective reflects deeper colonial patterns of using rural areas as extraction sites, disregarding local knowledge that could lead to innovative, locally-sourced architectural solutions.
In rural Texas, volcanic ash, caliche deposits, and mesquite forests reveal a wealth of materials, challenging the belief that these areas are resource-poor.
Architect Pliny Fisk III's hand-drawn maps demonstrated abundant local resources that could supply lightweight concrete, hardwood flooring, and insulation, redefining architectural values.
Read at ArchDaily
[
|
]