I iiPenland Line
I I 11 PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFTS • Post Office Box 37 • PENLAND • NORTH CAROLINA • 28765-0037
Spring 1997
Building for Penland's Future
THE KILN SHED
“Wh en this project is complete, Penland’s ceramic kiln
facility will equal or exceed that of any of the summer craft
schools.” That’s how ceramics instructor and Penland Board
Chair Joe Bova assessed the
most visible construction pro
ject going on at Penland right
now; a new structure to
replace the jumbled set of
buildings which were referred
to as “the kiln shed” (the sin
gular was euphemistic).
This area, which housed
the bulk of Penland’s ceramic
kilns, grew organically to
meet the needs of an evolving
o I he almost complete kiln shed.
program; when more space
was needed, a little more construction was done. The
resulting structure was functional after a fashion, but it fea
tured five separate roofs, poor drainage, inadequate light,
and several different floor levels (a real problem when you
move fragile pots around on wheeled carts). It worked, but
it wasn’t a great place to work.
The situation couldn’t really be improved by tinkering,
so the demolition, redesign, and rebuilding of the kiln shed
was designated as the major construction priority for 1996-
1997. The new structure, designed by Asheville architect
Michael Robinson, creates a unified space on one level
which is open and flexible. Natural light is supplied by
clerestory windows and translucent panels in the metal
roof. The roof also covers the walkway between the upstairs
studio and the kiln area.
The construction was done by Penland’s maintenance
crew under the supervision of staff carpenter Mark
Wessinger. It wasn’t a quick start as the old shed had to be
torn down and the mismatched concrete floors broken up
and removed. After the site was graded, a four-foot retain
ing wall was built on the upper side of the building, and a
new slab was poured.
The salt kiln (which stands under a fairly recent and
sound roof) was kept in operation during construction, and
spring Concentration students also had access to the wood
kiln and the electric kilns located behind the downstairs
studio. As summer classes begin, the building is nearly com
plete, and studio coordinator Louise Radochonski has
been working nonstop—
with assistance and con
sultation from the clay
community—to get things
operational.
In addition to the
salt, wood, and raku
kilns, summer students
can look forward to an
array of electric kilns and
a new reduction kiln.
Inside the new kiln shed.
Designer Hank Murrow, who built Penland’s stainless
steel reduction/oxidation kiln will be coming in June to
supervise the placement and fine-timing of this kiln in the
new space. Eventually the building will house a new soda
kiln, a large car kiln for
sculpture, and more
electrics. The five-year
plan for the studio also
includes replacing or
rebuilding some of the
older equipment.
“We’re going to have
just about every kind of
kiln we can hav^,” said
Louise. “This place is
gonna rock!”
FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE ICE HOUSE
The spring of 1997 saw the comple
tion of a Penland construction project
which began as a workshop in 1989.
Originally called the ICE (Integrated
Craft Environment) House, the build
ing was conceived as a guest house
and a demonstration of the integra
tion of craft into building design and
furnishing.
The first phase of construction,
which was funded by a New Works
grant from the NC Arts Council, was
executed by a small group of students Workshop students raising
who came to Penland to study timber frame construction.
Timber framing is a time-honored technique (now enjoying
a great renaissance) in which the basic structure of the
building is made from carefully notched timbers which fit
together like furniture parts. These frames are so beautiful
that they are generally left visible on the inside of the house.
It is a craft-oriented way to build.
The workshop participants cut and notched the timbers
and then, with assistance from blacksmiths attending the
first Penland Iron Symposium, raised the frame. Before the
workshop was over, the structure was covered with insula
tion and plywood and a temporary roof was added shortly
thereafter.
That’s how it stayed until the fall of 1995
when Ken Botnick decided it was time to fin
ish the project. Led by Mark Wessinger, and sup
plemented by numerous hired hands, Penland’s
maintenance crew began to work on the
house—as time permitted. They added to the
original structure to accommodate a second
bedroom and bathroom and then worked their
I' w'ay through all the steps of completing a house.
I Whenever possible, decisions about con-
struction and materials were made with a long-
range perspective. “I think this house won’t need much
maintenance for ^ long time to come,” Mark said. The com
pleted building is a beautiful two-bedroom house with a
porch, living room, and kitchenette.
It seemed likely that the original meaning of the build
ing’s name would get lost (and pretty soon people would
say that we used to keep ice there in the old days), so the
finished house was renamed Bonnie’s Place, in honor of
Bonnie Willis Ford who spent much of her life working
at Penland. Her son Bill Ford has been putting the finish
ing touches on the place by building stone steps and retain
ing walls.
Although the name has been changed, the original
intent to integrate craft into the building has not been lost.
Wrought iron cabinet pulls and curtain rods, a handmade
sink, and other touches complement the excellent finish
carpentry.
However, there is room for more handmade furnishings
built into the house: wall lamps, interior and screen doors,
bookcases, a staircase railing, a coffee table, and shelving
could all be used to incorpo
rate craft work into the build
ing, making it a real show-
place for craft. Additional fur
nishings will need to match
the feeling of the house, but
anyone who is interested in
contributing to this project is
encouraged to contact
Assistant Director Geraldine
Plato to discuss possibilities.
the frameJor the ICE House m 1989. p’g a busy
season for the maintenance crew. Much of the work they do
goes unnoticed, but these two projects are visible examples
of a kind of care and attention that will benefit Penland for
years to come.
Putting thefinishing touches on Bonnie’s Place in 1997-
Special note for Auction Patrons:
We are offering a weekend Auction package which includes three
nights for four people at Bonnie’s Place (with meals). See page 12
for details.