"The Rediscovery of North America" by Barry Lopez is at once a profoundly depressing and hopeful book. In it, toward the end, Lopez discusses the Spanish term La Querencia, which "refers to a place on the ground where one feels secure, a place from which one's strength is drawn. It comes from the verb querer, to desire, but this verb also carries the sense of accepting a challenge, as in a game." He goes on: ".. the idea is quite beautiful- a place in which we know exactly who we are. The place from which we speak our deepest beliefs. The discovery of a querencia, I believe, hinges on the perfection of a sense of place."
Lopez is writing here about our connection to the land, to a place, and how we must have such a connection in order to understand, cherish, and sustain a place.
I believe the same is true of our homes. We should value them as a place of refuge, a place from which we gather strength and courage to confront and embrace the world. We should value them as something other than a commodity: as something that has value beyond re-sale. The resources we consume constructing a home should be honored and respected. As a timber framer, I most frequently relate this to wood: I honor the trees we consume by using them wisely, respectfully, and durably. They offer us shelter and beauty and a place to re-center ourselves. They deserve respect.
La Querencia: a lovely summary of our approach to our work.
