University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020-09-22 Recalibrating Rustic: A Parametric Evolution of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular Hamel, Nicolas Alexandre Hamel, N. A. (2020). Recalibrating Rustic: A Parametric Evolution of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112594 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Recalibrating Rustic: A Parametric Evolution of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular by Nicolas Alexandre Hamel A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2020 © Nicolas Alexandre Hamel 2020 ii Abstract When the intersection of a region’s local construction culture, material preferences and climate are studied, one will often find the presence of vernacular architecture. In the case of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, there lies many historical examples of vernacular, rooted in timber construction in response to a harsh mountain climate. This thesis not only seeks to uncover the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular (CRMV) through field investigation, case study and literature review but to discuss its future as well. By looking to contemporary building practice, the thesis starts discussing its future by looking to the promising material supply chain of cross laminated timber (CLT) and exposing what prevents more architecture from being constructed from it right now. Finally, the thesis summarizes the development of a novel yet accessible parametric workflow that aims to guide architectural design towards the creation of cutting edge yet functional forms of vernacular architecture. iii Acknowledgements In order to accumulate the content for this thesis, a wide variety of individuals contributed their time, knowledge and expertise. Within the academic team at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary, I must express my appreciation of Joshua Taron as an exceptional academic advisor. In addition, the valued feedback on my writing from Alberto de Salvatierra made the process of constructing this document much easier. Outside the academic circle and within that of architectural practice, I am grateful for the guidance and support of Matthew Kennedy, Mark Erickson, Damon Hayes Couture and the rest of the Studio North team for initiating the research conducted in this document. In addition, Adam Angelidis at Spearhead must be mentioned for his ability to answer the technical questions posed by this work. Within the discussion of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, the knowledge and resources provided by Bill Luxton and the remainder of the team at the Eleanor Luxton Foundation is greatly appreciated. Within Banff, Peter Poole and Randall McKay also played a pivotal role in shaping my knowledge of the region at both the historic and planning levels respectfully. Finally, I must recognize the unconditional support of my loving partner Paige Berling-Mackenzie and my parents, Charles and Nicole, who offered unwavering patience with me during the stressful sixteen months in which this thesis was constructed. Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures and Illustrations ...................................................................................................... x List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature ..................................................................... xiii Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 1 General Introduction: Finding the Digital Log Cabin ...................................................................... 1 1.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Thesis Context ................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Research Problem ........................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Context: Why the Canadian Rocky Mountains? ............................................................ 4 1.3.2 Material: Why wood? .............................................................................................. 4 1.3.3 Design: Why a parametric design tool? ................................................................... 5 1.4 Thesis Structure ................................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 Chapter 2: What is the Rocky Mountain Vernacular? ................................................... 6 1.4.2 Chapter 3: What will it be made of? ............................................................................. 6 1.4.3 Chapter 4: Possibilities for the Rocky Mountain Vernacular ......................................... 6 1.4.4 Chapter 5: How to design it .......................................................................................... 7 1.5 Contribution ........................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 9 What is the Canadian Rocky Mountain Vernacular? ..................................................................... 9 2.1 Architecture in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Region ................................................... 9 2.2 Before Settlement Architecture ........................................................................................ 11 2.3 Scope of this Research ....................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 12 2.5 The Canadian Rocky Mountain Building Typologies ..................................................... 14 2.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 14 2.5.2 Settler’s Cabin ............................................................................................................ 15 v 2.5.3 The Modest Miner ...................................................................................................... 18 2.5.4 The Chateauesque ...................................................................................................... 20 2.5.5 Parkitecture ................................................................................................................ 23 2.6 The Conversation of Vernacular ........................................................................................ 25 2.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 25 2.6.2 Classical Definition ...................................................................................................... 26 2.6.3 From the Folk Perspective .......................................................................................... 28 2.6.4 Potential for an Industrial Vernacular......................................................................... 29 2.6.5 Parametric Adoption .................................................................................................. 30 2.5.6 Formal Perversion of the Vernacular .......................................................................... 32 2.5.7 Sustainable Responsibility of the Vernacular .............................................................. 33 2.5.8 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 34 2.6 The Fundamental Components of the CRMV .................................................................... 35 2.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 35 2.6.2 Material Culture in the Region ................................................................................... 36 2.6.3 Construction Culture in the Region ............................................................................ 37 2.6.4 Response to Climate in the Region ............................................................................. 38 2.7 Vernacular Case Studies in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Region .................................... 39 2.7.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................