The Norogachi Experiment : Lessons Learned/ Lessons Taught

“Children need to learn. If they learn they can teach us as they see us as children when they return.” From Rarámuri governors meeting March 2004 Background The Norogachi Experiment emanated from a research and consultant opportunity for a Ford Foundation Grant awarded to the Tarahumara Indians for the construction of an educational and cultural center, the Centro Rarámuri de Educación e Investigatión. Program Significance The program, our experiment, took three directions: the study and construction of passive solar earthen architecture; the study and documentation of a Spanish Colonial mission church; and my own personal study of indigenous architecture. Our experiment was offered to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, in the School of Architecture, as a unique opportunity to gain international, cross-cultural experience. We set out to learn; to learn how best to adapt ancient, earth-architectural methods to the construction of modern buildings; to learn to apply modern technology; to learn from centuries-old adobe buildings; to learn from a part of the world few have ever had the opportunity to visit. We had the opportunity to meet and interact on a daily basis with Rarámuri Indian people, who comprise one of the largest and most traditional Indigenous societies in all of North America. It was exciting to think that we were going to do something for these people, that our work would support Rarámuri efforts to preserve their cultural heritage. It was exciting to think that we would leave something behind through our efforts in the construction of an educational and cultural center for the Tarahumara. It was exciting to think that we could help them learn and adapt from what we knew and our expectations were high. One thing is certain, we were the ones who learned to adapt.

Volume Editors
David Covo & Gabriel Mérigo Basurto

ISBN
0-935502-57-2