[notes from a roman palace]

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.

Aforementioned parterre gardens...rather overgrown

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.

Chippewa Indian wigwam camp from MInnesota Historical Society 1915

http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa10/hillaryw/Woodland.html 

Tom Smith poses at a Birch bark Wigwam, Minnesota Historical Society 1920

Pukaskwa National Park by Ojibway people, Walter Muma photo

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

Parton Bark Siding 

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:

Brahan Estate Scottish Highlands_2006_Fin Macrae Photo

patrick dougherty la county arboretum

Desert Botanical Garden PhoenixArizona_2007_Adam Rodriguez Photo

Morris Arboretum Philadelphia PA_2009_Rob Cardillo Photo

[notes from an umbrella grove]

400 stone steps down from the Vettica side of Praiano led me to a grove of Christo-Gates-orange beach umbrellas, sounds of dance music and rocks catching waves, and deep green pools where I spent sunup during the next week. In the absence of trees on this rocky cliff-lined coast, 50 para-sole carve a whimsical outdoor space suitable for a 40°C / 100°F summer day. 

 

The author's legs in the grove

With protection from the sun, water, a little garden, and chaises longues for sleeping, basic human needs were covered. Cold white wine, mojitos, tanned Italians, and dance music met other desires.

And then there's Claude Cormier's Sugar Beach project (brilliant) on Toronto's newly renovated waterfront. Another favorite umbrella grove, and an alternative to trees on a grassy lawn...

All images courtesy of Claude Cormier Landscape Architect

[notes from fig season, italy]

In Italian, Fico means both fig and cool. Just back from two-weeks in this other world where something rad is described by a sultry fruit. I melted into Carol and Sol Lewitt’s lovely place in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast, a town where people plant and harvest by lunar cycles, eat only what their grandmothers cooked (with veggies from the front yard),where fishermen catch red calamari by moonlight in rowboats, and where figs come into season Aug/Sept. Black, green, slightly yellow ones too...

An early morning  sketch by the author

The author at work next to one of Sol Lewitt's wall paitings

Any resident of a climate that supports fig cultivation is lucky: Ficus carica L. has the branching pattern of modern dancers, provides lush shade, works as a good border tree, and seems to hold you from underneath with its large paw-shaped leaves. 

Chess players in Rome under a fig tree at hip Bar del Fico, ink wash by the author

On my last night, up 600 stone steps into the Lattari mountains along the Sentiero dei Dei--the Path of the Gods--lying on a carpet with friends in the middle of the square at the San Domenico Monastery, I watched the full moon slide between fig leaves to the sound of classical guitars. Che fico.

Convento di San Domenico, Photo Gaetano Astarita

The week before Praiano, I came across an antique/heirloom fruit tree seller at Florence's Piazza della Santissima Annunziata Sunday market. Imagine your own fruit orchard with just heirloom varieties that can never be found at any grocery (to be eaten with a set of hand-hammered silver flatware found at the same market by Pennabilli). Check out the finds: