MSA Stage 3 School of Architecture
Daniil Solomou
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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.
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P1 Life-Long 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.
