Reconnecting furniture with nature

Murray John, AA Year 4, 1977-78, Jubilee Walkway, London. Persephone statue, public buildings, wharf and gardens.

Chapter 4

Collaboration - reconnecting furniture with nature

Hiking Architecture with Iunia Borsa - Volume 4. (Forest)

Walk: Epping Forest Date: 20th of February, Sunday Distance: 20 km ~ 4h walk

Murray John, AA Year 4, 1977-78, Jubilee Walkway, London. Site and positions of statues of Watchdog, Orpheus and Odysseus.

Murray John, AA Year 4, 1977-78, Jubilee Walkway, London. Perspective sketch on recto of sheet 2.

“Hiking Architecture relies on two bases. Hiking and Architecture. There are two check-lists that will help us to get there safely, to enjoy the place, time, golden autumn fresh shadow wind, to become attentive listeners of the forest, while cosily unrolling our city masks.

Hiking: 1. Carry - Backpack (if you have the one with a belt it is amazing, if not – take the most comfortable of all. It might help to pack your things in waterproof manner as rain might be our good friend for the journey, but mostly humid air) - There is a fragile balance to be found. You have to be prepared for almost everything, but not put too much as it gets heavier on the way.

2. Drink - Bottle of water (you know yourself better than anyone, make sure you have enough volume for 4.5 hours of constant walking, you might need two bottles)

3. Eat - Lunch + 2 snacks (we are going to eat lunch on the hill, so any kind of food that can survive the trip is welcomed. 2 snacks might be helpful on the smaller stops to bring your mood to the best power, share with the person you like or discover it on the way back) - we are not going to be far from civilization, but it’s nice do not rely on it too much.

4. Travel - Tickets, some money and things to do on the train, you know better than me

5. Wear - Shoes (hiking shoes would be amazing, but you can make it in your trainers as well. Your shoes are your best friends, make sure you are comfortable, dry, warm and cosy, it might get muddy on the way) - Pants (comfortable, quick to dry, preferably wind proof, but who has those is a lucky one) - Layers will always help. A shirt, a sweater and a jacket will help you do not get too warm on the way and too cold while standing. Rainproof jacket will be very useful (umbrellas won’t help) - For now the forecast shows + 7 c. Forest doesn’t bring much sun in - jackets/gloves/ scarves might be helpful. - Extra socks/shirt in case of heavy rain (if you want to be on top of things)

Architecture:

1. Documenting the walk. I suggest documenting the trip in any way and media you find suitable. It can help your own project, it can create something new or be forgotten for years. You can be the one drawing on the way, reading future in your friends’ footprints, making a movie, moving, singing, reading poems, measuring distances, taking record of the wind directions or sounds. Solving puzzles.

Intuitively bring whatever enters your backpack – there is a space to be whoever you want for a day on the cliffs!

2. Asking yourself a question. If you ask yourself just one question before going and then try to find an answer (or more questions) on the way. It can be something very open as – “Why am I going there?”. Or a bit more focused – “How many ships am I going to see on the way?”

At least they might be useful to start a conversation with a stranger on the way.

3. Not doing anything and just be - is always an option! Enjoying the journey

Architecture:

1. Documenting the walk. I suggest documenting the trip in any way and media you find suitable. It can help your own project, it can create something new or be forgotten for years. You can be the one drawing on the way, reading future in your friends’ footprints, making a movie, moving, singing, reading poems, measuring distances, taking record of the wind directions or sounds. Solving puzzles.

Intuitively bring whatever enters your backpack – there is a space to be whoever you want for a day on the cliffs!

Murray John, AA Year 4, 1977-78, Jubilee Walkway, London. Section of walkway, including Poseidon, Athene and Demeter sites.

Murray John, AA Year 4, 1977-78, Jubilee Walkway, London. Progression of space from Persephone Cafe to Wharf to Island.

Hello dear hikers!

Hiking Architecture is heading towards the forest. The path is going to be unusual as it will not only bring us through the forest, but it will aim to imitate the relationships between the city and the woods. Between our private space and freely growing forest. In collaboration with Iunia Borsa. Open for architects and any other soul-mates.

Architecture (you don’t need to do anything in advance):

1. From a chair to the forest We are going to trace the path of wooden materials.

2. From the forest to a chair We will capture what can be found in the forest to become a part of our urban private space.

3. Not doing anything and just be - is always an option! Enjoying the journey

See you soon! (Sunday 20th of February, 10am, Chingford overground station)