We’ve been working with Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre, developing a feasibility study for the improvement of their site in the Highlands near Kiltarlity. The work has involved careful attention to the epic, windswept site and current selection of old buildings which have grown out of an original stone croft and byre. We have been working in dialogue with stakeholders including staff, tutors and retreatants to develop proposals that improve accessibility, environmental performance and the ongoing development of the centre.
Our proposed massing ties the existing buildings together by siting three small new buildings within the enclosure to form a sheltered courtyard. The scale and form of these draws on existing vernacular farm steadings and maintains the farming-crofting nature of the place, whilst forming new outdoor ‘rooms’. The architectural scheme opens the doors for greater definition of the immediate garden around, increasing the variety of outdoors ‘places’ for encounter and writing inspiration, envisioning these as memory-landscapes.
Our proposed massing ties the existing buildings together by siting three small new buildings within the enclosure to form a sheltered courtyard. The scale and form of these draws on existing vernacular farm steadings and maintains the farming-crofting nature of the place, whilst forming new outdoor ‘rooms’. The architectural scheme opens the doors for greater definition of the immediate garden around, increasing the variety of outdoors ‘places’ for encounter and writing inspiration, envisioning these as memory-landscapes.
