mountain learning centre
WT Architecture are delighted to be working with a private client to design a Mountain Learning Centre focused on landscape, geology, people and nature. The centre is to include a flexible learning space, bunk accommodation, laundry, dry room, various storage areas and a flexible space for communal cooking and eating, learning and activities. The proposals also include a house for the clients allowing them to combine management of the centre with working from home.
The proposals take a simple approach to both materiality and form; distilling the design of the buildings down into two principle wedge shapes following the natural fall of the sloping site and opening out into the landscape, sun and views.
In each building the internal spaces follow a sense of progression from lower ceilings over entrance areas and utility spaces through shared kitchen/dining spaces to rooms that form dramatic ‘bookends’ to each building; the Learning Space in the Mountain Learning Centre and the Snug in the House.
Roof pitches follow the incline of the surrounding hillside, with sedum blankets used in areas where the roof plane will be visible to help blend the buildings in to their surroundings. In the external space linking the two buildings, a sheltered terrace is created, with covered outdoor learning space nestled into the rear timber screen wall.
Natural timber cladding is proposed both to external walls and internally in some areas, breaking down the sense of separation between inside and outside space. Whilst the overall materiality of the buildings is simple and consistent, the orientation and width of the timber boarding is varied to help emphasise the sense of movement through the buildings, connection to the ground they sit on and to identify more cosy, intimate areas for seating and shelter.
Team
Client: Private client
Structural Engineer: ADAC Structures
Quantity Surveyor: Morham & Brotchie, Oban