Sumner | Design Programme - Kess Aleksandrova

NARRATIVE Sumner is a site rich in narrative, much of which is wailing to be revealed and imbedded in
the built form of the village.

GEOLOGY The physical surrounds of Sumner speak strongly of the past and present geological processes in the area. Layers upon layers of rich natural history is embedded in the strata of the cliff faces, exposing the eroding landform to the elements. These cliff faces have remained immobile for the last century, until the recent earthquakes have dramatically shifted and transformed their rigid form into slopes of rock rubble. The village is now encountered with anew narrative - a narrative of a shifting, unpredictable active geology of their surroundings. This is now the reality for Sumner - its residents must learn to live in an environment, which may suddenly turn on them due to its powerful natural tectonics. This new narrative must be explored and implemented into the landscape, revealing and reminding use of Nature's power.