Triskelion

We are currently working on this deeply ecological home on the edge of Findhorn dunes.

The proposed works are to build a dwellinghouse of 175m2 in the Ecovillage Findhorn in Scotland.

Around the dwellinghouse wood decking is proposed for occupiable areas with the remainder of the landscape given over to typical natural planting of acid grassland and dune heath. A sloped ramp provides access from the road. The works include fairly significant changes to the topography of the site but this has been designed to maintain the softly undulating ground that is so characteristic of the dune area. Flat terracing of the site or hard level changes using retaining walls has been avoided. The currently gradual slope of the site will be changed to be steeper at the back and shallower at the front. This allows the dwelling to be set down at a relatively low level shielding it from the public footpath behind. This height difference reduces the visual impact of the buildings from the public footpath and this impact if further addressed through planting. We propose a mix of large plants (such as gorse) and small trees in dense clumps (such as Hawthorn) on the boundary to further increase privacy. The inclusion of gently curved, planted roofs in the scheme also serves to benefit passers-by in that the portion of the building that they see - especially form their elevated viewpoint - itself looks like a piece of dune landscape. We have included in the design an access from the roof deck to the rear of the property and thereby out to the dune path because we feel that it is a reasonable feature from a community-wide point of view and a great benefit to the occupants to be able to easily access and enjoy the dune landscape behind their home.