UNEARTHED

Arroyo Grande, CA | 2023

For this studio, our site sits on a historical plot of land south of San Luis Obispo, California. This was a site of migration of a multitude of different peoples and cultures- most notably, the Chumash Indians. The Chumash lived in huts called ‘aps,’ that were made from layers of earth, willow, and thatch. Together, these materials, cultivated a community for the indigenous to live and share with each other. After the Chumash, this site experienced other peoples and settlement types. Existing vegetation on the site is proof of the Spanish missions that inhabited the area, as well as, tropical Mexican plants that highlight the settlement of Mexican rancheros. In an attempt to reconnect the site back to the existing community, my partner and I have decided to recreate the village that existed within each set of peoples. We are using the same materials that are local to the area and traditional to indigenous building practices- creating willow breathable facades and rammed earth walls. Through communal activities, like shared living quarters and land plots, our aim is to create a temporary living settlement where people can come grow, work, and live together and experience the rich history of our site.

In collaboration with Negar Hosseini