Final Project: North // West
Location: Durness, Scotland, UK
Edinburgh, 2018
Considering the JOURNEY ALREADY AS PART OF THE ADVENTURE in exploring the NORTH // WEST of Scotland along the North Coast 500
road, one travels from or towards Durness. Approaching the village on a single-track road, the incredible vastness of landscape seems even
more impossible to understand. The scale shifts from human scale in the villages to something incredible bigger.
road, one travels from or towards Durness. Approaching the village on a single-track road, the incredible vastness of landscape seems even
more impossible to understand. The scale shifts from human scale in the villages to something incredible bigger.
Immerged in the soft colours of light, shapes seem to blur into the landscape and the range of colours reflected in nature is
unequal. The specular impression is accentuated by being exposed and feeling the natural forces with their full strength.
RAIN, SNOW, SUN, THE FULL WEATHER RANGE and everything inbetween is part of the memory one brings back home from this trip.
Water is never far from sight and wind surrounds one all the time. The CONTRAST between being EXPOSED and SHELTERED is one of the
remarkable experiences this landscape teaches us.
unequal. The specular impression is accentuated by being exposed and feeling the natural forces with their full strength.
RAIN, SNOW, SUN, THE FULL WEATHER RANGE and everything inbetween is part of the memory one brings back home from this trip.
Water is never far from sight and wind surrounds one all the time. The CONTRAST between being EXPOSED and SHELTERED is one of the
remarkable experiences this landscape teaches us.
Observing the landscape as a COMPLEX SYSTEM with all the little bits and pieces which create this rich scenery. UNDERLAYING // INVISIBLE traces of human history and geology feed into this dense fabric of narratives. Over hundreds of years a story telling terrain reveals in front of us. Names are describing, an illustration appearing in front of one’s eyes with the defined colours, shapes, rock formations … by focusing only onto the names. The names are not just names any more, they are a UNIQUE ENGRAVED DESCRIPTION of the surrounding so one can orientate through the landscape safely without getting lost in it. What we see in the nature in front of us is the SUMMARIZED OVERLAY of many different impressions not just by oneself but also by MEMORIES SHARED THROUGH TIME AND THRESHOLDS. The three local groups have an important role in this shared memory. Their belief in the landscape is mostly distinct but it is reflected onto the same nature surrounding of the communities. The base is the same, the conclusion different.
Following the line of the horizon or the road ahead, the journey slows down and gives the observer the chance to break down the vast surrounding into a smaller scale which nevertheless is not comparable to the human understanding of scale. In parts of the Highlands
HUMAN TRACES ARE RARE, which makes the understanding of the surrounding scale difficult. If there is nothing familiar around us, how
should we understand the landscape?
HUMAN TRACES ARE RARE, which makes the understanding of the surrounding scale difficult. If there is nothing familiar around us, how
should we understand the landscape?
Masterplan
NATURE
Most of what we see // understand as “NATURE” is shaped by humans over the last 6000 years. The former forest mainly disappeared as a result of human activities 6000 years ago, farmers cleared the forest to grow crops and food for their livestock and them as well as building materials for buildings. This is a result of the change from a nomadic lifestyle towards a settled life. 4500 – 2500 years ago, due to climate change, a huge carpet of bog covered the area and made it less suitable for regenerating trees.
Most of what we see // understand as “NATURE” is shaped by humans over the last 6000 years. The former forest mainly disappeared as a result of human activities 6000 years ago, farmers cleared the forest to grow crops and food for their livestock and them as well as building materials for buildings. This is a result of the change from a nomadic lifestyle towards a settled life. 4500 – 2500 years ago, due to climate change, a huge carpet of bog covered the area and made it less suitable for regenerating trees.
Research
The area around Durness is inhabit since stone age and therefor of historic interest. The surrounding landscape is largely untouched by men, which results in the diversity of wildlife. The coastal area is classified as Special Protection Area caused by the international importance of the cliffs as a nesting site for over 50000 sea birds. Other animals as red deer, fulmar, hooded crow, rock pipit, golden eagle, cormorant and gannet can be observed as well. Due to its international importance in terms of biodiversity it is also declared a Special Landscape Area. The Coastline from Oldshoremore until Durness is protected from development or other man-made influences.
Introducing a series of THREE CIRCLES into the landscape gives the traveller a focus point, like the standing stones or Cairns or a familiar element. Located in varying distances from the road, the sequence of interventions invites the visitor to explore their surroundings and
symbolizes an entrance point into the region.
symbolizes an entrance point into the region.
Experiencing the landscape of the Highlands with its mountains, glens and lochs and its isolated status this region inhabits, the understanding of scale changes. Acting as a measurement for scaling down the vast ness, the circles create the possibility for the eye to relate its surrounding at an understandable scale and triggers the curiosity to explore more of it. Being part of this landscape and the feeling of BEING EXPOSED to the forces of nature can be INTIMIDATING. Playing with sheltered areas as well as expanses open to the surrounding landscape is part of my proposal.
Each of the three circles is designed in a different way and with an adjusted purpose. The FIRST CIRCLE, leaving the village of Durness
towards the south, is located two miles south of the Kyle of Durness with its every shifting appearance and range of colour. Placed on a
small mound, a relic of glacier ground moraines, the circles‘ evidence is clearly visible from the street. Travellers can experience its simplicity
from the street or by coming closer. FOLLOWING SHEEP AND DEER TRACKS, CLIMBING WALLS, AVOIDING PUDDLES…. Once again, the journey towards the “destination” is part of the experience. Finally reaching the top, the upper part of the hill is surrounded by a series of columns, placed TOO CLOSE TO GET THROUGH them, but allowing a GLIMPSE into the circle. Due to level changes of the existing topography at a certain point the columns almost disappear into the ground, with half a meter left to climb over to reach the inside of the
circle. Now the visitor is INSIDE, SHELTERED, PROTECTED, EXCLUDED from the surrounding. They are still able to OBSERVE what is going on
around them through the small gaps between the columns. Leaving the circle now the landscape // nature feels even more impressive,
overwhelming. Being exposed again to the natural forces might trigger the PRIMAL FEAR in us, which every person still inhabits.
towards the south, is located two miles south of the Kyle of Durness with its every shifting appearance and range of colour. Placed on a
small mound, a relic of glacier ground moraines, the circles‘ evidence is clearly visible from the street. Travellers can experience its simplicity
from the street or by coming closer. FOLLOWING SHEEP AND DEER TRACKS, CLIMBING WALLS, AVOIDING PUDDLES…. Once again, the journey towards the “destination” is part of the experience. Finally reaching the top, the upper part of the hill is surrounded by a series of columns, placed TOO CLOSE TO GET THROUGH them, but allowing a GLIMPSE into the circle. Due to level changes of the existing topography at a certain point the columns almost disappear into the ground, with half a meter left to climb over to reach the inside of the
circle. Now the visitor is INSIDE, SHELTERED, PROTECTED, EXCLUDED from the surrounding. They are still able to OBSERVE what is going on
around them through the small gaps between the columns. Leaving the circle now the landscape // nature feels even more impressive,
overwhelming. Being exposed again to the natural forces might trigger the PRIMAL FEAR in us, which every person still inhabits.
Intervention Circle I
The SECOND CIRCLE is located further down the road on a slope of a mountain. Half positioned into the hillside, the topography has to be
cut into, to place the circle level and to receive enough material to fill in on the other side. Not totally closed up and with higher columns
than the first one, the experience is a different one. On the one hand, the construction gives the impression to be even more sheltered, half
covered by the mountain and the higher columns. On the other hand, by opening the circle up for around 1//4 aligned with sunrise and sunset
of the DECEMBER SOLSTICE, a more exposed situation occurs. The WIDER VIEW into the valley beyond is framed by the columns as well
and allows the observer to focus on it, minor matters can be masked out. Once again, no paths are provided and the visitor has to search their way by following almost invisible tracks of sheep or deer.
cut into, to place the circle level and to receive enough material to fill in on the other side. Not totally closed up and with higher columns
than the first one, the experience is a different one. On the one hand, the construction gives the impression to be even more sheltered, half
covered by the mountain and the higher columns. On the other hand, by opening the circle up for around 1//4 aligned with sunrise and sunset
of the DECEMBER SOLSTICE, a more exposed situation occurs. The WIDER VIEW into the valley beyond is framed by the columns as well
and allows the observer to focus on it, minor matters can be masked out. Once again, no paths are provided and the visitor has to search their way by following almost invisible tracks of sheep or deer.
Intervention Circle II
Getting to the THIRD CIRCLE - and last one of this series - the visitor has to travel much longer than to the other two. It is located further
down into one of the river valleys and almost invisible from the street. Following local farm tracks half way and in the last part sheep tracks
once again, the atmosphere in the circle is totally different from the first one. The circle itself is located on a relatively flat terrain with several
ponds dispersed around it. The diameter of the wider circle, defined by the columns, is this time double as wide as before. The columns are
also not positioned as close together as in the other two, so one can WALK THROUGH, BETWEEN AND ALONGSIDE THEM easily. In the
centre a grass platform gives the traveller the impression to BE STAGED IN THE LANDSCAPE. This time totally exposed without anywhere to
find shelter.
down into one of the river valleys and almost invisible from the street. Following local farm tracks half way and in the last part sheep tracks
once again, the atmosphere in the circle is totally different from the first one. The circle itself is located on a relatively flat terrain with several
ponds dispersed around it. The diameter of the wider circle, defined by the columns, is this time double as wide as before. The columns are
also not positioned as close together as in the other two, so one can WALK THROUGH, BETWEEN AND ALONGSIDE THEM easily. In the
centre a grass platform gives the traveller the impression to BE STAGED IN THE LANDSCAPE. This time totally exposed without anywhere to
find shelter.
AS A HUMAN BEING, STAGED INTO NATURE, SURROUNDED BY COLUMNS, EXCLUDED BY COLUMNS AND IN TIME.
Intervention Circle III
The different materials used to construct the columns are choosen by the UNDERLAYING BEDROCK of the certain location. All three of the locations are located in different areas of bedrock, so the underlying stone can be revealed over ground and shows the invisible in daylight.
The human eye now can understand what was covered for it before.
The human eye now can understand what was covered for it before.
Furthermore, the NUMBER THREE had a symbolic meaning for Picts and in many other ethic groups all around the world. For most of these
cultures it represents time, separated into three zones.
cultures it represents time, separated into three zones.
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE.
THREE CIRCLES, THREE MATERIALS. Revealing the past due to the GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES, in the material represents the PAST. Today is today with all the memories, emotions we are carrying around with us. Tomorrow is another day and the impression we get from the circles might be a different one. In the future the columns are going to fall apart until they finally disappear into the ground and be covered once again. This whole process of lifting the material, but then also allowing the NATURAL FORCES to shape it until it is vanished is part of the proposal.
