GLENCOE, UK

Concept | Artist Studio

Scottish Highlands, Scotland | 2019

BRIEF

Limited to a small footprint of 20m2, the programme addresses the desire for a 'green' building. In response, the strategy incorporates Circular Economy principles which involve life cycle analysis. Designed for quick assembly, spatial flexibility, and ease of maintenance and upgrade. The form of the studio is tall, long and narrow to reduce land footprint, with a mono-pitch roof supported by a north-facing curtain wall. South-facing glazing allows warm light into the seating room/studio. The kitchen, bedroom and lower-level studio space are located on the north side. The facade openings are strategically positioned to benefit from the astonishing views of the landscape, with minimal glazing in the east and west elevations to conserve internal heat. A floor-to-ceiling glazed aluminium frame visually splits the building and creates a metaphorically invisible bridge between the geometries. Structurally, a minimal amount of poured concrete pad foundations, with piers to support a timber beam floor, are required. Striving for integration with nature at every opportunity, and to minimise visual impact, pre-excavated ground waste, repositioned around the building's lower section, allows it to harmoniously fit into its natural landscape. Pre-fabricated timber wall panels are sized to be easily assembled on-site without the need for a crane. The exterior cladding features charred Siberian larch on the upper section, and a natural grey granite panel system, that saves both time and resources compared with traditional stone masonry, on the lower section. This system uses large 600 x 200 mm panels and smaller 300 x 200 mm panels, which allow larger pieces of stone to build a panel, giving it a more natural look. Renewables such as wind, solar and water turbines are integral features that help sustain this project's strategy.

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