ARTS 15
Architecture: Reimagining the Sugar House Winter 2024

This course will provide an opportunity to explore architectural design through reimaging New England’s beloved ‘sugar house’. By investigating the quintessential New England process of producing maple syrup, students will create their own interpretation while focusing on the architectural implications and exploring design possibilities. Maple Syrup production has a deep-rooted history throughout New England which can be experienced in the surrounding landscape and observed locally in Hopkins Forest. The built structures of this process are a direct result of the specific sugaring systems and provide an example of vernacular design as pure product of function. Additionally, as maple syrup production requires an in-depth understanding of nature and natural processes, it demonstrates an inherently active relationship between architecture and the natural environment. Consisting of a local site visit, site analysis, and conceptual design, this course plans for students to reimagine and explore these relationships through the development of architectural interventions. Throughout this course, students will gain understanding and experience in the architectural design process and are expected to present their final design project. Various mediums for the visual representation of final projects will be accepted.