pillars of creation

Pillars of Creation arose out of conversation with the Scholls Valley Lodge about prototyping an artist residency on their property in Oregon. Designed as a sort of solo, contemplative retreat, I did not know what I would make when I arrived. I only knew that I wanted to work with natural building techniques and explore the theme of sacred space.

Pillars of Creation was made for $40 from abundant raw land and recycled materials. The pillars themselves were constructed using recycled timbers from previous construction on the site, and adding cob bricks (mud made from sand, clay and straw sourced onsite) to the exterior. The only expense was buying hydrated lime for the lime plaster and lime wash to weatherproof the pillars. The wood chip path was created from trees that were felled and chipped on the property. The sitting platforms at the bottom of each pillar are stumps from 300-year old white oak trees that grew on the property.