Site visit to Kenmore (23rd oct)

On Friday (23rd October) we visited Loch Tay to see the location of our site for the next project our habitat project. When visiting Kenmore we also visited the crannog centre to understand how crannogs were built in the iron age. This was very interesting to see the sophisticated techniques that were used, that were not only very vernacular but very durable as well. As we found out that some of the supporting timbers that were being excavated were still in great condition.

The village itself is very small with very few houses. The buildings around the main square haven’t changed in over a hundred years. Walking round the village it was easy to see there was a lack of industry which meant the main income was tourism. The views on the lochside were absoloutely fantastic.

When we arrived at the site I realised that we actually had quite a lot of room to work with and the views again from the site were breathtaking. The views to the west were the best with an obstructed view of the valley. The south views is good with nice views of the opposite hills which have a few buildings on it. The site itself is very exposed which will be a problem with the prevailing westernly wind. There were only buildings to the north of the site which was an absolute bonus when it comes to the matter of privacy.

Analysis of precedent (25th sep- 16th oct)

This project was the 4th project we were given. It consisted of studying a given building over the following 3 weeks. Working in groups of 3 various models, drawings and sketches were gathered for our final review. We were assigned Maison Lapatie by Vassal and Lacaton. The building is suituated in the inner suburbs of Bordeaux and is in a run down area without many aesthetically pleasing features. It was a low budget project built in 1993 and was one of their first projects. The building itself isn’t very pleasing to the eye in my opinion but after studying it in greater detail I can understand to reasoning behind their concept and also the clients specifications.

Lacaton and Vassal worked for sometime in Africa which is where they developed their techniques and philosophies of building structures that were: durable; easily replaceable; replicable; cost efficient and functional. These ideas were brought forward to Lapatie as it can be easily seen by the materials chosen.

The house is built out of a steel structure with opaque fibre-cement sheeting on the street side facade and transparent PVC is used for the greenhouse in the back garden. The use of PVC to create greenhouses can be seen in other bigger projects such as the day care centre in Begles the year later. It is almost recognised as their trademark. Their usage of eternit fibre cement sheeting had very strong agruments to support it: 30 year guarentee; doesn't rust; very good insulation; durable; easy to replace; light which means a lowering in transport costs and a lowering in the overall budget.

As mentioned earlier the project was low budget, only costing 55 000 euros, and the clients wanted something different but affordable. They wanted something open plan with lots of natural light as there is a lack of partition walls and an abundance of windows. The conservatory with high ceilings must have been a big factor because it can be used as extra living space during the summer furthermore the conservatory could have been restriceted to one storey. Lots of windows and hatches are situated on both sides of the house which can be opened to give lots of ventilation. The garden must have been the biggest factor in this project because with the floorspace of the building it could have easily been stretched out as a one storey bungalow. They obiously want to keep the garden and the also had a small patch of grass put into the conservatory.

For this project we had to draw all the elevations, plans and sections. We also made a 1:100 representative model and a 1:100 site plane. Two 1:50 colour coded volumetric models and a 1:50 acetate circulation model.

mapping entrance (18th-25th sep)

Elevation of our door

This project was our first group project which was going to be good to be able to play to every ones strengths in the group. We were given the Scrymgeour door. Which in my opinion was the hardest door. The first thing we had to do was go and measure the door because it had to be drawn at 1:1 for our final presentation.

one of the pillars

Details of the crest

Aiden then created a CAD drawing for us from our measurements so that we could plan out our door. We only had to do half our door because it was really complex. We then stuck down 12 sheets that were slightly bigger than A0 together so we could see the size of the door we had to work with. We all took a section of the drawing an designed it in any way we wanted. It was really good because we always had to work in the studio which meant we could all help eachother and make decisions together.

Final door

Group and our door


Group and door from above

Inspiring Place (15th-18th sep)

The next project was the inspiring place project. We were given the task of trying to find something that inspires us around Dundee. I found this quite difficult because I do not know my way around Dundee too well. I walked up to Dundee law which was difficult but I didn't find it too inspiring. I was wondering around for hours upon hours trying to find something and I came upon a street busker.

But I decided against it because it was a bit conceited, it was an inspiring place not an inspiring person. I didn't notice it at first but I kept walking past this one place. The one place that kept catching my eye. It was the chapel right in the centre of town on Meadowside. It was just really beautiful. I hadn't really seen many chapels like that with winding staircases, big spires and lots of windows all over it. I tried very hard to get inside to see how much natura light there was inside but they wudn't let me in because it was a building site. I tried to explain I was an Architecture student but they didn't care. It was odd to see a building like this right in the centre of town and every time I looked at it I was being reminded of something from a fairytale.

In Aberdeen I am used to seeing big granite buildings everywhere (e.g Marshall college) and it was really nice to see a building with these lovely light coloured stones. It was a big contrast between the old more decorative building and to the right there are modern functional looking buildings which I also found interesting.

1st project Tentsmuir shelter (14th sep 09)

University begins!

view of the teepee from the pathway

My uni education began with the whole of 1st and 2nd year traveling to Tentsmuir to go and build our very own home away from home. We were split into groups of 5 (3 1st years and 2 2nd years) and we were set to the task of building some sort of structure.

the initial frame being crated and pathway being marked out

The only catch was that we had to build everything out of materials we found on the beach. My group decided that we wanted to build a gateway/pathway to the beach. We found a site where the lie of the land meant that the person would be able to walk up a slope and through an entrance/shelter where they would be able to get access to the beach and beautiful scenery.

view of the ties and interlocking branches

We made our entryway out of branches, twigs and grass which we found in the nearby woods. To make it a solid structure we planted four main support logs and used lots of grass to tie it all together. We made the structure into a teepee shape with an entrance and a pathway leading up to it. It could sit two people under it quite comfortably.

view from under the apex

View of tie and scenery

Panoramic shot 1

Panoramic shot 2

Panoramic shot 3



Panoramic shot 4


Panoramic shot 5

Side Elevation of site


View from entrance