Context (Bockelman)

When considering the artistic context that informs the Chicken Shack Village, we must look at the impact of the architectural firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates. Both Robert Venturi and his wife Denise Scott Brown have been influential within the architectural world as well as to the Baseline Group because they reject architecture that follows a spare Modernist aesthetic which only includes functional elements. Instead, Venturi and Scott Brown look to the preexistent vernacular architecture of an area for inspiration as well as to symbolic forms that act as visual signposts of communication.

In light of this, the Baseline Group researched the vernacular architecture of Colorado in preparation for creating designs for the chicken shacks. What we chose included references to the historical architecture of Colorado such as that of the mining shack and false fronted building. However, we also chose to emphasize the current architectural trend to use reclaimed materials in chicken shacks that feature a specific material like a shipping pallet or a door.

By becoming immersed in local culture and architectural aesthetic, the Baseline Group hopes to understand and strengthen its connection to the community in which it works.