Not Exactly Paranormal

I have the honor and privilege of knowing a talented, hardworking, young architect named Sara Silvestri.  She and I are sorority sisters, friends, and classmates.  At least we were, and we had the experience of a lifetime to study some of the oldest buildings in the world in Italy.  While there however Sara had to leave for a week to be flown off to Nova Scotia, and it didn't cost her a dime.  She was the first female from MSU to win a prestigious design award and her prize along with some spending money was a trip to the 13th and as fate would have it the least ever Ghost Lab.

It sounds like I am bragging on my friend (which I am), but this was all a back story to get you acquainted with how I even know about this phenomena of the architecture world.  Ghost lab was started by Brian Mackay-Lyons on his farm in Nova Scotia.  It was a gathering of well known architect friends as well as his students as a way to practice what he'd been preaching.  A week long conference if you will of some of the most controversial and brilliant designers.  In their first meeting they designed and built a tent like structure to hold their meetings and at night it glowed and existed in the beautiful but barren landscape, hence the name.

Every year they have added more and more structures and it is a crucial theme in the gathering, to design and build something in that week.

One of the early projects was an octagonal barn which served at the main meeting room/dance hall for following gatherings.  Though the practice was very popular among those who participated it was widely criticized by many others.  Though I am unsure of what the criticisms are, and do not want to misinform I won't even speculate.  I do know there is to be a book written about the last Ghost Lab held in June of 2012.  It was a tradition of creation and mingling of many creative minds and I think Mackay-Lyons was on to something huge.

Imagine what could be done with a gathering of naturalists, landscape architects, architects, and  designers.  A movement toward a greater good could make an example for the world.  Think back to the days where there was no television, internet, or smartphones.  Where people dedicated their time to creating beautiful buildings and actually invented new things.  Think of a worlds fair.  People traveled across the globe to see the newest best ways to do things.  What if there could be a worlds fair of better living and smart planning.  It sounds a little dull, even to hear myself say it, but you'd have their attention.  People would want that.  They would want to preserve whats left of nature and better the cities they live in and make room inside of them for a bit of expansion.

I know, it's a far train of thought from Ghost Lab, but if it could get my mind racing with ideas I thought it might do the same for you.  Hope you enjoyed, and thanks again for tuning in!