The museum, aptly named, endeavors to replicate a village nestled within the trees. It achieves this by assembling various structures, challenging the conventional Western notion of museums. Instead, it embraces informal and programmatically open spaces. While the design process was rigorous, the resulting space appears organic and unplanned. Inspired by the differential growth of trees, the museum mimics the wind's undulating motion, creating a similar sense of growth and fluidity.

“Common to Indigenous peoples and many other cultures is a cyclical worldview that is continuous, uncertain, recurring and fluid. All events are connected, regardless of when the event occurs”

In my first project, I crafted a birch bark canoe and developed an exhibit highlighting the profound bond between humans and nature. I delved into the canoe's journey, representing it as a continuous, dynamic cycle reminiscent of a circle or spiral. This motif, integral to indigenous culture, is reflected in structures like the wigwam and pottery, symbolizing the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world.

Growth
14m - 18m

Drawing inspiration from the wigwam and pottery, my museum incorporates elements from both, melding them together to form unique vessels. Embracing the concept of differential growth, the museum's design mirrors the organic growth patterns of trees. The structures vary in height based on their proximity to each other, resulting in a diverse array of openings throughout the museum.

                               Tree Analysis                                                        Individual or Group Spaces

The heights of the vessels were selected by studying the trees and identifying the most common heights. Utilizing a median of three heights ranging from 14m to 18m, I established the dimensions for my vessels. These vessels were shaped using three distinct diameters, ranging from 35 to 55 feet, which were then cut and rotated to introduce various lighting effects into the cones. By clustering these vessels together, I created individual or grouped rooms with unique openings to sculpt the overall form of the structure.

Site Photos - Mohawk Institute

The resulting site plan shows the museum extending across the landscape and linking the two sections of trees, effectively forming a village among the trees. 

The museum comprises two levels: the ground level features a sculptural garden and courtyard, while the gallery level sits atop an undulating floor plate. Sculptures are integrated into the trunks of the vessels and the clearings between them, connected by numerous pathways.

The arrangement of the vessels creates a courtyard space for gathering. Upon entering the gallery level, visitors find themselves at the center of the museum, where they can navigate through each gallery or workshop. Alternatively, they can descend the cone at the other end to reach the sculptural gallery. This arrangement of programs emerged organically from the form itself, rather than being predetermined.

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