S3_P2 Stylite Observatory





 

 An observatory on someone’s ‘self’, hovering 30m above ground in a remote location of Loch Treig, simulating a stylite experience. Designed to be a thoughtful experience from the first steps to the top of the tower. Where one can stay as long as needed, away from the material world and the word’s temptations, reflect on themselves and a space for contemplation. Where success on the outside begins on the inside. 

Suspended on a 20m high stone base, that blends in with its environment and then followed by a 10m core wrapped in aluminum mesh, reflecting, and disappearing with the weather conditions. 

Complimented and tucked away within the woodlands, by a supporting building to its east, that can accommodate 4 more people that will support the person in the stylite tower, same as a real stylite monk would, that would then take turns on the stylite experience to reflect on themselves and contemplate.




S3_P1 Life-Long Learning Retreat



 The design reflects the essence of Fort William and the greater region. Resembling Ben Nevis with its stone base, aluminium mesh at the top, resembling the snowy top and set-back design. Reflecting the weather onto the mesh, disappearing, and blending in with the sky in a cloudy day and shinning like a beacon in sunlight. 

Allowing the belltower to breathe and prevail alongside the building, as well as reinstating the tree parade onto the terraces that was long lost. With a result creating a new landmark for the entrance of the heart of the town and bringing back more meaning to the parade park across it. Within the building there are various types of accommodation, from a hostel styled, to hotel rooms and apartments, suiting everybody’s budget and time of stay. 

The main circulation system links all social, accommodation and workshop areas, through a central axis, integrating all activities and funnelling them all through together. The steel and timber construction of the building allows for easy rearranging of spaces, disassembly, and recycling of it in the future. As well as Sourcing local materials, where possible, like the stone, timber and aluminium mesh. 




S2_P4 Bo’ness Library



 The main aspect of the scheme is to pay homage to Bo’ness’ railway and harbour history as well as the overall town construction and aesthetic. Keeping the existing building almost fully intact to lower environmental damages and extending the library to the west. 

The new sandstone arched extension is of a heavy and carved feel that relates to the architecture of the town, paying homage to the railway and harbour history. Whilst having delicate timber planning on some parts of the façade and most of the interior giving it a more lightweight feel, paying homage to the towns timber industry. 

Most of the extension is to be built by reclaimed sandstone around the town but having new sandstone around the arched opening to allow for sharpness. 




S1_P3 Nolli Map Study



  Having the brief of Places, Planning and Communities for theories and objectives of urban design and their core characteristics that create a successful place. With that in mind I decided to investigate three metropolitan areas I am familiar with, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Nicosia. Before starting an investigation into those three cities I broke down what an urban setting is and what makes that up. From a historic point of view, one of the first urbanized cities was in Mesopotamia. This organization of people living all in the same place was used to focus on the development of writing, culture, architecture, administration, sanitation, trade, and craftsmanship. Something that allowed ancient civilizations such as of Egypt, Greece, and later on Rome to thrive as civilizations, setting the core columns of modern culture, administration, art and science. 

Having all that in mind, every single urban setting is unique on its own way and tailored and developed throughout time to its specific inhabitants and situations. Exploring a city allows you to actually see how and why a city is the way its build, its purpose as well as its priorities.