Mark Baechler

Biography

Mark Baechler is Assistant Professor with tenure at the Laurentian University School of Architecture where he teaches graduate and undergraduate architectural design studio and architectural theory courses. He holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture professional degree from Carleton University in Ottawa. From 1999-2013, he practiced architecture with the Toronto firm Teeple Architects Inc. Mark is a Registered Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).

Research

Research Topics and Current Projects

Wood Furniture and Architecture:
Wegner Variations: Danish Wood Furniture and Architecture

The Birch Chair: A Design Exploration of Hardwood Species in Northern Ontario Forests.

Architectural Drawing:
Abrahamic Architecture: Drawing Series

Light and the Absence of Light: Graphite Drawing and Sculpture Series

Work and Practice

Mark Baechler Architect is a design practice consisting of two distinct spaces of production, the Workshop and the Drawing Room.

The Workshop examines thinking through making, focusing on the design/fabrication of wood furniture and architecture. The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest region in northern Ontario provides a conceptual and material resource for this practice, which includes harvesting trees and processing wood into bespoke works. The Workshop seeks design innovation through the careful study of woodcraft traditions and the invention of custom tools and fabrication jigs utilized in 1:1 scale furniture and architectural investigations.

The Drawing Room concentrates on the contemplative process of exploring architectural thought through drawing. The vast field of diverse architectural drawing types and conventions within the Western tradition are foundational to this investigation. Large sized graphite drawings are produced to re-examine the history and theory of architecture, as well as the representation of architectural phenomena including light and the absence of light. Conventional drawing formats and techniques are re-interpreted toward the development of contemporary architectural imagination.

Publications

• Baechler, M. “Drawing the house of Abraham” Drawing: Research, Theory, Practice, Volume 2, No.1 (2017): 143-155
• Baechler, M. 2016. “Drawing Abrahamic Architecture.” In proceedings of Design Communication Association Biennial Conference: Communicating Speculative and Creative Thinking, Bozeman, Montana, 2016, 169-175. Bozeman: Design Communication Association