The Art Borups Corners Land Lab wood shop is a powerhouse of craft and sustainability. Here, raw lumber becomes essential infrastructure, ready for a winter pause and a busy spring.
The Heart of Craft: Woodworking at Art Borups Corners Land Lab
As the vibrant colours of autumn begin to fade and the first chill of the season settles in, a quieter rhythm takes over the Art Borups Corners Land Lab. While the gardens are tucked away for their winter rest and outdoor programs wind down, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the spaces where some of our most meaningful work is done—places like our robust, humble wood shop. This workshop is more than just a storage area for lumber and tools; it’s an engine of creativity, sustainability, and skill-building that supports nearly every facet of the Land Lab’s mission.
In this dedicated space, raw materials are transformed, lessons are learned, and the very infrastructure of the Land Lab is maintained and improved. Look past the casual clutter of a busy season and you’ll see the hallmarks of a working shop: a heavy-duty wood stove providing warmth for cold-weather projects, various saws and power tools ready for the next cut, and stacks of lumber and reclaimed wood awaiting their purpose. From building raised garden beds for the spring planting to crafting practical solutions for equipment storage and repair, the wood shop is where theoretical ideas are given tangible form and longevity. It is a place where problem-solving takes a hands-on approach.
As we prepare the Land Lab for the long winter, the wood shop’s current role shifts from creation to maintenance and inventory. This seasonal closure is less an ending and more a thoughtful pause, allowing us to reflect on the structures, crafts, and skills we’ve nurtured over the year. When spring returns, this workshop will once again be the first to awaken, powering the construction and repair needed to prepare the Land Lab for a new cycle of growth and learning.
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