November 15, 2007
SOF OnDemand:
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Auburn University's Rural Studio in western Alabama draws architectural students into the design and construction of homes and public spaces in some of the poorest counties in the United States. They're creating beautiful and economical structures that are unique in the world — and that nurture sustainability of the natural world as of human dignity.
Program Details
» Particulars ¦ an annotated guide to the radio program with readings, images, and links
» Resources
» Books + Music ¦ lists of recommended books and music from the program
» Krista's Journal
» Transcript
» Credits
Selected Writing
» Sam Mockbee Essay
This 1998 essay by the founder of Rural Studio exhibits exactly why his spirit and ideas live on after his death.
Hear the Music
» SOF Playlist ¦ hear full-length tracks of each song played in the program
SOF Production Blog
SOF Blog: Rural Studio Road Trip
» Rural Studio Road Trip
SOF producers spent a week in Alabama talking to students, clients, and teachers about the Rural Studio. They journal their own observations about the work being done, and the issues being raised and addressed.
SoundSeen: Interactive Feature
SoundSeen: Interactive Map of Rural Studio Projects» Interactive Map of Rural Studio Projects
Rural Studio structures dot the landscape of four counties in Alabama. Get a sense of that space and place. Zoom in and click on the pincushions to see these selected buildings and learn a little bit more about them.
SoundSeen: Slideshow
SoundSeen: Mason's Bend and Rural Studio» The Homes and Voices of Mason's Bend
The iconographic structures of Mason's Bend have become synonymous with Sam Mockbee and the Rural Studio. We've put together a feast of images and voices from the people who live and work there.
SoundSeen: Slideshow
SoundSeen: A Design Critique» A Design Critique
The Rural Studio 20K House is in its fourth generation now. All have been single story and aluminum clad. The current group of students are changing that, and face the challenges of creating a two-story loft.
SoundSeen: Video
SoundSeen: Video Tour of the Rural Studio 32K HouseTour of the 32K (aka 20K) Duplex House

» large (640x480)
» small (320x240)
» iPod (320x240)
» phone (176x144)

The Rural Studio has completed their third generation of the 20K House — budgeting $10,000 in materials and the rest for future profit for a contractor. In a clever twist for a pair of brothers, they've combined the two in the form of a dogtrot. Take a look.
Voices of Our Audience
» Your Reflections ¦ tell us and other audience members what this program meant to you.
Unheard Cuts
» Complete, Unedited Interview (mp3, 1:43.01)
We had to whittle down Krista's conversation with Andrew Freear to about 20 minutes for the radio program. So here's your chance to listen to their entire, unedited conversation and let us know what you think.
Voice on the Radio
Andrew Freear Andrew Freear
Freear is an associate professor of Architecture at Auburn University and director of the Rural Studio.
About the Image
A.J. Harris, resident of the "Carpet House," looks out on his yard while Ben Cannard, one of the Rural Studio outreach students who built the structure in 2002, removes his shoes.
(photo: Trent Gilliss for Speaking of Faith)
Special Funding
Tides Foundation, Kendeda Sustainability Fund
This sustainability feature is supported by the
Kendeda Sustainability Fund of the Tides Foundation.

» Additional sustainability coverage from American Public Media.
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