Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio is a documentary film from 2010 that explores the life and work of architect Samuel Mockbee, who inspired and led the Rural Studio, an educational design/build program based in Hale County, Alabama. The documentary is directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas and produced by Jeffrey Kipnis, who are both professors of architecture. Through interviews with Mockbee, his family, colleagues, and students, as well as footage of his designs and the Rural Studio projects, the film celebrates Mockbeeâs vision of socially responsible and environmentally sustainable architecture.
The film begins with Mockbeeâs childhood in Meridian, Mississippi, where he developed a love for art and architecture. He went on to study architecture at Auburn University in Alabama and later at Yale, where he encountered influential architects such as Louis Kahn and Peter Eisenman. Mockbeeâs early career as an architect in Georgia and Mississippi was marked by his innovative designs, but also by his frustration with the elitist and commercial nature of the profession.
In 1993, Mockbee and fellow architect D.K. Ruth founded the Rural Studio as an alternative to traditional architectural education. The program, based at Auburn Universityâs School of Architecture, aimed to teach students how to design and build affordable and sustainable housing and community facilities for the impoverished rural areas of Alabama. Mockbeeâs goal was not only to provide practical solutions to the social and environmental problems of the region, but also to instill in the students a sense of empathy, social responsibility, and artistic expression.
The documentary showcases various Rural Studio projects, such as the $20K Home, a model house that can be built by local residents for less than $20,000, using salvaged and recycled materials. Other projects include a chapel made of car windows, a library made of hay bales and concrete, and a fire station made of discarded tires. The designs are eccentric, colorful, and playful, but also functional and inspiring.
The film also features interviews with Mockbeeâs family and colleagues, who recall his charismatic and unconventional personality, his love for country music, his passion for social justice, and his struggles with cancer. They praise his ability to inspire and challenge the students, to push them beyond their comfort zones, and to create a sense of community and purpose.
The documentary also highlights some of the criticisms and challenges that the Rural Studio faced over the years, such as accusations of exploitation, neglect of safety standards, and lack of funding. Some of the residents of Hale County express their skepticism and mixed feelings about the projects, wondering whether they are truly helpful or just a form of artistic experimentation.
The film concludes with Mockbeeâs death in 2001, at the age of 57, and his legacy as an architect, teacher, artist, and social activist. The Rural Studio continues to thrive and evolve under the leadership of new directors and students, who carry on Mockbeeâs vision of âarchitecture as a social art.â
Overall, Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio is a moving and inspiring documentary that celebrates the power of architecture to transform lives, communities, and landscapes. It offers a glimpse into the mind and heart of a visionary architect, who believed in the power of creativity, collaboration, and compassion. It is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture, design, education, social justice, and the human spirit.
Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 59 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.
