Initiatives / Experiments / Visions
Workshop Muma / Anyó / Majke
Project description
Muma Hut is a “tiny house” built through voluntary efforts in Danu’s orchard, in the Old Village of Armenis comune, Caraș-Severin county. It will receive guests who want to experience wildlife both outside and inside the cottage with an audacious window onto the landscape. The idea was sparked by Danu’s dream of rebuilding his childhood treehouse and was set in motion when Miodrag spontaneously contacted Oana and offered his support to “create something” that would enhance or link the many initiatives he knew about in the area. Oana Mondoc is responsible for community development and innovation on the part of WWF and deals with many projects designed to help locals take steps towards sustainable relationships with nature. She teams up with Daniel Hurduzeu and Matei Miculescu, rangers who ensure the smooth running of the bison reintroduction process and are the core of ecotourism activities. The workshop took place over several weekends between May and July 2020 and the way of working provides an example of good practice in which voluntary involvement increasing the confidence of locals in their own strength and nurtures their imagination. The house aims to be an example in terms of shape - an “orchard room” and the materials used, which are purchased from the area to revitalize traditional practices. Wood was used for the structure/enclosures as well as shingles, made locally by the nephew of an old craftsman. The locals provided food and transport for the volunteers and the work process is reminiscent of the old days. This is the experimental approach that WWF, together with friends and the entire MuMA Hut team, is trying to shape models, inspiration, trust at the local level and to short-circuit the economic and financial barriers that rural areas and society face. After 6 years of bison reintroductions, about 60 wild bison now live in the area, which have a substantial effect on diversifying local flora and fauna. Also, the presence of bison ensures increased attention and attraction for visitors and is fundamental for the development of tourism, and Muma Hut has the role of catalyst and example for an infrastructure necessary for the longevity of nature driven sustainable development. Muma Hut is also a prototype for the WeWilder campus, another WWF initiative in Armeniș, a set of cottages and a community space, with a role of co-working in nature, which will host guests interested in local initiatives.
Author's presentation text
Miodrag Stoianov is an architect who is always on the lookout for interesting context that can lead to special design & build projects that are characterized by craftsmanship and experimentation. Oana Mondoc is responsible for community development and innovation on the part of WWF and deals with many projects designed to help Armeniș locals take steps towards sustainable relationships with nature
