The project is composed of several previously underused rural summer campgrounds in northwest New York that are transformed into a productive landscape, food storage + preparation facilities, and prayer grounds operating year-round.
The proposal is a cyclical practice that transcends the typical seasonality of camp land, drawing inspiration from the seasonality of neighboring Islamberg and the existing relationship with neighboring communities in an informal network. A landscape of posts - oriented facing Mecca - creates a framework for a spectrum of enclosure conditions determined by season and topographical placement. The resultant spaces create opportunities for hands-on environmental education for campers in the summer, while providing adequate farmland, pasture, and religious gathering space for seasonal events - which are direct desires of Islamberg residents.
For the private camp owners, their once under-utilized grounds are transformed to become more biodiverse and environmentally sensitive. Barriers to entry that are traditionally in play during the summer camp season are softened, resulting in easier and more equitable access to educational and recreational facilities.
