It's easy to miss--this tiny, bark-covered woodland cottage in the heart of one of Rome's palaces. I walked right by it, looking instead for parterre gardens at the Palazzo Barberini: those ubiquitous geometric carpet-like gardens at European estates. Imagine: I walked right past the dwelling of bygone royal wood nymphs! Walls are covered, both inside and out with thick, spongy bark and intricate detailing of slender branches. Light filtered through foggy windows, and the world became still for a few moments. A good reminder to look between the mundane cracks of life for beautiful places + things.
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| Aforementioned parterre gardens...rather overgrown |
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| Barberini Palace, Image courtesy of Galleria Barberini |
[history of bark houses]
We all know the word wigwam but who knew what one looked like? 8'-10' wood-framed dwellings covered in birch bark, of varying lengths and shapes. Supposedly belonging to agricultural (vs. nomadic) Algonquian, Ojibway, and other tribes around the wooded Great Lakes region, these were some of the first recorded bark houses on the continent.
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| Chippewa Indian wigwam camp from MInnesota Historical Society 1915 |
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| Tom Smith poses at a Birch bark Wigwam, Minnesota Historical Society 1920 |
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| Pukaskwa National Park by Ojibway people, Walter Muma photo |
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| Pukaskwa National Park by Ojibway people, Walter Muma photo |
[design tips]
While building your own bark dwelling might not be possible, planting a grove of birch trees is within reach. At least that way you'll have free material when you are ready to start siding... Betula papyrifera or Paper or Canoe Birch is an excellent grove tree and one of my favorites in naturalized landscapes and urban wilds.
If you are inspired to side your urban garage or your wood nymph dwelling, I've discovered that bark shingle manufactures do exist. The typical overlapping shingle technique doesn't do the Barberini cottage justice, but it could be cobbled together without overlap with the same twig detail technique could be used to conceal seams. In terms of sustainability, it's often harvested today from Poplar and Chestnut trees and is incredibly durable, lasting for well over 50 years. See these two manufacturers:
Barkhouse
Before signing off, a little eye candy of a third type of wood structures by one of my favorite artists, Patrick Dougherty, for a final moment of day-dreaming:
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| Brahan Estate Scottish Highlands_2006_Fin Macrae Photo |
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| patrick dougherty la county arboretum |
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| Desert Botanical Garden PhoenixArizona_2007_Adam Rodriguez Photo |
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| Morris Arboretum Philadelphia PA_2009_Rob Cardillo Photo |
