Tir nan og.. (Land of Eternal Youth) - House in Kenmore

the site

Kenmore, a small quaint village in the mid Highlands situated at the northern point of Loch Tay. The site is located at the water edge of the loch and offers splendorous views of the Ben Lawers to the West and Kenmore beach to the east. 

(click image to enlarge)

The sight during the colder winter months still seems to offer a warming effect of tranquillity. The picture below is taken from the east passing through the elevated site. The mountainous backdrop displays Ben Lawers and Meall Greigh.

Local access to the site from the eastern approach.
Quiet two lane road with occasional residential traffic.

Western approach to site. 

Narrow single lane road with minimal traffic. 

townscape

(click image to enlarge)

Panoramic view towards Kenmore from the south.

Site/Location Plan with proposed design

Model of site with proposed design

clients

The Artist 

Requirements: Art Studio

The Musician 

Requirements: Music Studio

The Entertainer (and Artist)

Requirements: Place to entertain friends from the South 

(Entertainment Area, Place to play video consoles)

Client Study:

design

The design objective was to create a multifunctional home with spacial fun for the three youthful siblings. All of which require their own space or 'sanctuary'. The simplistic structure is two interlocking rectangles of different material. The Northern side (Fig.1) is of white precast polished concrete reflecting the conformist village's tonal values. This portrays a solid state of disconnection and the power of the design is reinforced by the timber facade overlapping this. When approaching the northern face of the house, there appears to be no openings, creating a barrier from Kenmore. Only after entering the front door are you able to see all the way through the length of the house, seeming almost transparent. The Southern rectangle (Fig.2), structured of lighter materials (timber, steel and glass), reflects the woodlands from the surrounding forestry. My proposal triangulates the recreational rooms within the intertwined core of the home, where all the spacial fun occurs.This triangulated placement also separates the siblings persona from one another. 

(Fig.1)

Gabriela, the heavy metal guitarist, has her bedroom next to the sound studio, located within the northern rectangle. This further emphasises her persona to be detached. Bridget and Harry's bedroom are on the second floor, although, seperated from one another by their en-suit bathrooms. 

(Fig. 2)

(Fig. 3)

Floor Plans

(click on image to enlarge)

Site Plan                                              Ground Floor

 

First Floor                                           Second Floor

 

Sections

(click on image to enlarge)

East Section

North Section

South Section

Long Sections

Elevations

(click on image to enlarge)

East Elevation

East Elevation

South Elevations

More pics to upload soon :)

Blast from the past..

Things I remember most about home…

I think it’s accurate to say that we (South Africans) have better storms than the UK. Sometimes enough to scare the living shit out you! But none the less, better.. I used an old Nikon D50 for these, with no tripod, a faulty lens, no photoshop and lightning so fierce that you don’t want to leave the comfort of your bed, so the shots are shakey, out of focus and a bit spotty.

I present… lightning!

These are ironic don’t you think?.. This is behind the apartment building at the beachfront where I used to live before moving to a four walled ice box in Montrose. Makes me wonder why I didn’t study architecture back home..? mmm.. courious..

This one overlooks the southern harbour, taken from a night club.. amazing view is it not? The energy and noise produced from this storm was so powerful your drinks trembled! INSANE! What we need to do, is stop trying to reach another form of life and learn how to harness or reproduce these as renewable energy. A single flash could produce anywhere between 10-120 million volts.

Okay, let me explain with this one.. I was actually positioned in a comfy spot until one of these cracked above my head!

More to be continued..

barcelona graffiti

Spain's beautiful architecture is not the only artistic expression that defines its urban landscape. I snapped these between the Gaudi sites.

Some might refer to the graffiti as vandalism, defacement or as a subculture rebelling against authority. The Spanish seem to have a different perspective. (Glasgow on the other hand... I recall seeing some slander on the walls at my interview at the Mac)

What ever your view on this, you have to admit, it adds a sense of understanding and you cannot deny its place within the Spanish culture.

¿qué? (so I'm still in Spain)

Casa Batlló

This was a restoration and remodelling project taken on by Gaudi and Josep Jujol. They achieved this organic look by eliminating the sharp edges and adding a splash of colour with chipped tile mosaics on the façade, giving the house an organic Art Nouveau expression.

 

The bone-like columns give the house its colloquial nickname, The House of Bones (Casa dels ossos). The balconies have a tortured appeal with similarities to the mask of the Phantom of the Opera. (or maybe a fish’s skull?)

 

                                                                                       Poseidon’s crown?

Whatever the angle in Casa Batlló, Poseidon had to have forged this from his trident. Gaudi brings this oceanic language into his work allowing you to flow and transition between spaces.

The ceiling in the lounging area is the most interesting feature on the first floor, compelling you to be drawn in by its whirlpool appeal.

Casa Batllo’s roof has often referred to as the dragon slain by St. George (St. Jordi being the patron saint of Catalan).

Finding substance

Alas, my place of inspiration. This has taken several hours of wondering into the unknown of Dundee, from the highs of the Law to the lows at the docks. 

So, on with the trip..

Barcelona

Sagrada Familia - 'the unfinished' since 1882. This is by far the most astounding structure I’ve ever seen. This iconic marvel of art seems so surreal, obliviously depicting the insignificance of man.  As per most of my European escapades, great-big-giant cranes and scaffolding obscure my vision of the façades; and this being Guadi’s grand finale, so do all the camera frenzied tourists! 

Just a bit about the Sagrada Familia, it is a privately funded Roman Catholic Church and still to this day, unfinished. This was Gaudi’s symphony of sculptures; and being a devout catholic, he dedicated the last 43 years of his life toward it. The realization of 'Architects having no life' is starting to set in here. The Sagrada Familia is estimated for completion in only 7 years time. 

Only the eastern façade, known as the nativity façade, was completed by Guadi and it depicts the life of the son of God. This being the eastern façade, receives the morning sun rise, further symbolising the birth of the Son. You can immediately recognise this was all Gaudi because of it being so intricate and highly decorative, maybe displaying the celebration of the birth of Christ. The passion façade to the west, less decorative, tells the story of the passion of Christ and his crucifixion while receiving the sunset further illustrating Christ's death. Framing the archways are numerous angular sculptures of biblical themes portraying the Catholic Faith. If you do ever get to Sagrada Familia, look for the symbolic crown of thorns on this façade. The southern façade, known as the Glory façade, is yet to be completed and is mostly covered by scaffolding. This is by far going to be my personal favourite once completed, it symbolises the final day of judgement and the 7 deadly sins. I will have to return to this summer filled vibrant city once this has been completed, and not because of the famous 'naturist' beaches.

Guadi originally planned for 12 outer towers to be erected, signifying Christ’s apostles. The four main ones are to represent the gospels and the central tower seemed to complete the ensemble. The side-walls have high narrow window openings to allow for enough light to enter the interior for a welcoming ambience. Screw shape columns support the ‘fruit and flower’ sectional ceiling and create an image of woodland. 


This is an extremely spiritual and symbolic journey; and to actually be in the Sagrada Familia's presence leaves you inspired with passion and creation..

Enough rambling on, I should have a couple of pics from my trip.


The north eastern approach seems as if it was from an alternate universe.

   

This is the more recent south western façade with very angular sculptures.  

 

Enter the Gaudi -Spain

¿cómo estás? This is an amazing colourful country that offers cheap wine, flamenco, bull fights and oranges. Before travelling this past summer vacation, I began reading up on the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, most famous for Park Guell, Cassa Battlo and the well-known unfinished Catalonian masterpiece, Sagrada Familia. Literature can not explain the madness of this architect. His fabulist work seems somewhat captivating because of it being so distinctive and individualistic. You feel drawn to it and pick up on the underlying tones of the raw nature. Gaudi's unique designs influenced by nature's curves blended with colourful mosaics are all representative of the celebrative Spanish culture.

Bellow is one of the cottages near the main gate at Park Guell. Any idea of what its like trying to sketch in 39˚C?

The start of a new chapter..

So over the next couple of months, years, or however long Richard White makes us do this, I'll be posting thoughts, inspirations & interests on my blog.

Step one: Learn what the hell a blog is
Step two: What happened to the pen and paper?