Photo by Shane Hynan
12th Field is a collaboration between architects Evelyn D’Arcy and David Jameson, who since 2021 have been working together with peatland communities in the midlands.
12th Field explores ways in which architecture can reignite our ancient relationship with the bog, by creating new rituals and opportunities to interact with it, remembering the social history of the bog, and including local communities as co-creators in the design and construction process.
Our work to date has culminated in the production of practial and aspirational proposals for ways forward for communities following the cessation of the peat extraction industry, which up until recently was woven into every aspect of people’s lives. As part of this process, 12th Field has expanded into roles of research, mapping, advocacy, and creative design.
The name “12th Field” derives from the Peco method of harvesting peat. In this system, the bog was divided into parallel “fields”. Peat was transferred along five fields on either side to a central eleventh field, where it was gathered and taken off the bog by train. This process has transformed the bog landscape and will leave a lasting physical legacy. Through their work with peatland communities, we are now gathering memories, stories, information and skills – and the 12th field is the space where a new future vision of our relationship with the bog will be realised.
Who are we?
In parallel with her work in practice as an architect, Evelyn D’Arcy has worked as a creative practitioner with various arts organisations since 2013.
She has facilitated a wide range of “design through co-creation” projects exploring themes of architecture with people of all ages, from pre-schoolers to retirees, in community and in school settings.
Evelyn is also an occasional guest lecturer at UCD School of Architecture. Details of some of Evelyn’s previous work can be found here.
David Jameson is an architect and founding member of tún architecture, specialising in educational and residential design and conservation.
David is a studio tutor in TU Dublin, in a vertical studio focusing on sustainable urbanism, housing, and the role of watercourses and biodiversity in cities.
He has previously worked with peatland communities, through the IAF’s Reimagine Workers’ Villages project, and school pupils in Tensta, Stockholm on the design of a new entrance to their school. Details of some of David’s previous work can be found here.
Photos by Shane Hynan
12th Field is currently working in partnership with the Irish Architecture Foundation and is funded by the Creative Ireland’s Creative Climate Action Fund. This Creative Ireland initiative supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empowers citizens to make meaningful behavioural changes. 12th Field have previously worked on the IAF Reimagine Workers’ Villages project.
More information on this and Reimagine Cloontuskert can be found here.
- Instagram: @12thfield