This FreeLab is a continuously progressing studio in Spencer's Island, Nova Scotia, led by Roger Mullin from Dalhousie University. Its conceptual foundation reflects an old shipyard; the main building, the studio, was built with the proportions of a typical ship (45' x 10') with varying cross members that shadow a ship's shell line. This group's objective during the 10 day timeline was to enclose the structure to a lock-up state. We constructed large barn-style sliding doors and finished the roof with second use metal cladding that shed water to the majestic scupper details.

The undulating roof has two valleys which deserved much tender loving care in order to “architect” the phenomena of space. We designed a natural light well by turning the V of the valley into a W, where water is collected on both sides of the apex and guided out to the 4 foot long scupper. The material used was aluminium flatstock. Layers. Layers. Layers. Scupper flashing was set under Valley flashing which was set under metal roofing... under step flashing... under J flashing... under parapet wall flashing... and finally, the last piece: parapet cap flashing.

The overhead doors were fabricated with untreated 1X4 wood milled by a local resident a few kilometres away from the site. As a group, it was decided to have all the wood members organised horizontally to contrast with the strong vertical lines that previous groups have built. The long track along the face of the building allows a sense of play with the position of the doors.

Team Mullin (left to right):  Tara McCashin, Ian Sawatsky, Renaude Laberge-Boisjoli, Matt Jones, Janelle Fillion, Adam Krop, Manjula Singh, and Roger Mullin.