Suina Design + Architecture buildings discussed in student thesis

 
 

Indigenous Architecture in New Mexico and Arizona

Recently Elizabeth Suina was asked to discuss her approach to Indigenous architecture with Kirstin Leibundgut for an Independent Elective Thesis. A student of architecture from Switzerland, Kirstin was interested in challenging her preconceived notions about the Southwest United States and to see what can be learned from indigenous architects. During her visit, Kirstin visited with Elizabeth Suina of Suina Design + Architecture; Theodore Jojola, director of the Indigenous Design and Planning Institue (IDPI); architects from Atkin Olshin Schade Architects (AOS); and architects from the Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture (IDS-A).

Kirstin Began her thesis with a reflective prelude and a well thought out introduction that present the history or western design and planning and the ways in which it has affected tribal communities. She counters this narrative of oppression with a inspiring collection of movements and ideas that form the base of indigenous planning and design such as this quote from Hirini Matunga "“if Indigenous peoples were planned into oppression, equally they can be planned out of it.'

During the interview with Elizabeth Suina, Kirstin asked many questions about what indigenous design and community values. When asked about the imposition of foreign design ideals on pueblo lands Elizabeth replied "You know, that’s kind of one of my pet peeves with other architects that work with Native communities. They’ll work with the Native community but they won’t change the design to meet or to blend in. They just take one of their other designs, like for a city or somewhere else, and just put it there.' The conversation naturally flows to the sense of ownership of buildings and the relationship to ego in western design.

Senior Health Center, Cochiti, NM. Back Facade

Senior Health Center, Cochiti, NM. Back Facade

Kirstin continues to discuss the community oriented design elements of SD+A designed Senior Health Center in Cochiti, NM. Not only is in important to design a functional building for the community but it is necessary to design symbolically to represent the history and culture of a community. The Haak'u Learning center was the perfect backdrop for the conversation on indigenous symbolism in architecture. The turtle shaped building is oriented with its head exactly north to orient them with the sacred Mount Taylor. Meant to symbolize a origin story of the Acoma, the building initially caught Kirstin off guard. It was only when she visited the building in person that the aerial image of the building was transformed into a symbolically rich yet functionally set of spaces.

Haak'u Learning Center, Acoma, NM. Satellite Aerial View

Haak'u Learning Center, Acoma, NM. Satellite Aerial View

"While walking through the building and listening to the stories of the proud guide I felt how appreciated this new school is. And I had to admit, that the building design was not formal at all. Again, I was deceived by the aerial satellite view, which is such an unnatural view and as a human, only possible to see when relying on the hubris of taming technologies. I felt debunked. Another interpretation crossing my mind was, that the turtle was not an obvious form. It was almost like a hidden form, since at no point inside the building or courtyard you could see the whole shape. Only people that knew about the turtle story could grasp that the school itself is a turtle. So either you have the cultural sensibility and knowledge, or you have to rely on dominating Western satellites."
Haak'u Learning Center, Acoma, NM. Ground View

Haak'u Learning Center, Acoma, NM. Ground View

The thesis continues on to interview several other architects on their opinions of indigenous architecture and planning.

 

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SD+A News, Tribal Projectsbrandon ortizarchitecture, student work, indigenous design, Cochiti Pueblo