History & Purpose
This project documents the wriggle fence (also called wiggly or serpentine fence), a traditional technique found in Newfoundland and the rural British Isles. Used as snow barriers, to protect gardens, or to enclose animals, English and Irish settlers introduced the fences, and they remain visible in rural Newfoundland.
Construction Technique
Built with locally harvested spruce, balsam fir, and tamarack, the fence utilizes the natural bend of the wood, woven into a serpentine form. Stakes anchor it in place without fasteners or chemicals, making it a sustainable method rooted in local material knowledge.
Reflection
The wriggle fence illustrates how embodied building practices carry culture across generations. This project produced no waste, used only local materials, and demonstrates how vernacular craft aligns with contemporary values of ecological responsibility and sustainable design.