MSA Stage 3 School of Architecture
Mahdiya Zubairi
Lifelong Learning Retreat
Located in the heart of Fort William, the proposed Lifelong Learning Woodcraft Retreat is an interpretation of a convivial tool where organicity meets the constraints of form. Like the sculptural nature of woodcraft, this adaptive re-use project carves out from the original deteriorating building, exploring concepts of hierarchy, light and dark, and solid and void through elements within the fenestration, apertures in the lightwell and spatial arrangement.
The building concept developed from both looking at the existing building’s structure which resemble a Rubik’s Cube and considering the main activity of the building, woodcraft, drawing inspiration from the timber’s source – trees. Researching artistic expressions of trees, biological processes occurring within trees and local timber processing the proposal was developed.
The primary structural system consists of the existing concrete frame with a light Douglas Spruce timber-framed vertical extension to fit the spatial requirements of the brief. Wall finishes are a mix of exposed timber panels and painted panels. Timber elements are locally sourced supporting local businesses.
Spatial arrangement and design of the building encourage communal working and living, supporting social inclusion and personal development of building users. These are complimented by the activities at the retreat which encourage positive social engagement through sharing of knowledge and craft, opportunity to learn about different human experiences and collective achievement.
Journey of Time
Journey of Time sits at the axis of time, geology, human impact and experience. The landscape of Lochaber has been shaped by geological events across millennia, evidenced by its diverse terrain. However, as we have now shifted to the geological epoch of the Anthropocene, marked by the industrial revolution and its consequences on nature, the landscape is at risk.
This project, a human experience based intervention, is located at Dun Deardail, home to the buried remains of an Iron Age vitrified fort. There is much speculation on the cause of the vitrification process of the stone walls and the site sits on a geotrail route with views to Ben Nevis, Fort William and down to Glen Nevis bringing in visitors throughout the year.
The proposal comprises of three structures, collectively forming a ghost wall. The wall fragments, physically representing the original Dun Deardail Fort wall, are each symbolic of a different mode of time – The Past, The Present and The Future. Each structure offers a different experience of which combined leave a visitor in thought and reflection on their journey back down from the hillfort and also within their wider life.
The three structures share a pitched roof form, the same as the original wall, both in shape and scale, allowing visitors to piece together and imagine the historical wall as it was 2500 years ago whilst being immersed in the landscape – weaving connections through the fabric of space and time. The proposal aims to be low impact, utilise environmental conditions and is composed of lightweight materials and components that can be transported and assembled on-site. The site is maintained by those leading geotrails to the site.
It is intended that visitors circle around the outline of the original wall, engaging with each structure as they pass by it. As they progress they learn about the geological features, history and deterioration of the site and landscape due to human impact.
The Past structure is a ‘skeleton structure’, based on the timber of the original wall. This represents the fading of physical entities and memories over time. The structure offers visitors a place to sit, where they can be sheltered from the sun or rain and appreciate the magnificence of Ben Nevis and observation of the general wider landscape.
The Present is an insulated structure that is a mode of connection of the past and the future relating. The space allows for specific observation of Dun Deardail. The viewing deck space allows for observation of an excavated area of the wall allowing interaction with past in the present. The recording space allows for the audio recording of visitors’ experiences, orally transmitting information, allowing interaction with the future in the present.
The Future’s key theme is reflection, both in materials and engagement. The observation is of one’s self. Inside the visitor sees themselves, allowing for a moment of reflection. The structure shifts focus from the open vast landscape to the now sheltered individual, inviting them to question their personal actions in relation to protecting the environment. As they emerge out the other side back out to the open landscape they have a choice of continuing as they are or implementing change from this overall experience.
