SHORT PORTFOLIO/ ANGUS ROBINSON
Long Site Section
Site section gives context to the proposals surrounding environment, its relationship with the River Tweed and the striking Neidpath Castle
The Re:gen Project
The Re:gen Project is a cyclical building, designed to be disassembled and transported numerous times during its lifespan. The proposal incorporates a Re-wilding Centre and an integrated Biomaterials Research Facility that supports the innovation of new materials and techniques within the construction industry.
In 2019, the Scottish Government released ‘Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029’, which states aims to increase national forest and woodland cover to 21% by 2032. I am proposing that my scheme is a response to this initiative, focusing on actively re-wilding depleted or storm damaged areas of woodland along the River Tweed with the hope that past ecology will return.
Initially located just outside of Peebles, the centre will hopefully inspire the visitor to continue the themes of circular economies and reuse beyond their visit. Members of the public will be given a free tree sapling from the re-wilding centre that can be planted at home or in the designated site, with the aim of promoting sustainability as a responsibility rather than a choice.
By using the theory of designing for disassembly as a key design strategy, the scheme will be relocated multiple times during its lifetime. Once the new trees within the re-wilding site have began producing seed the building will be disassembled and transported to a new site along the River Tweed, adjacent to another area of damaged woodland, and the process will start again.
General Arrangement
Inhabited section illustrates how individual spaces will be occupied, giving to the north of the site aims to support the innovation of mew materials laboratories are specialist spaces and look into the organic proprieties of
In the background sits Neidpath Castle, a grade II listed building that connected to the proposal by the central courtyard that stretches out
Arrangement Section A-A
giving context to the floor plans above. The biomaterials research facility and promote circular thinking within the construction industry. These of mycleium, chitin, and cellulose to develop more sustainable materials.
that is located over the River Tweed and adjacent to the site. The castle is out over the river as well as providing additional access to the scheme.
- Materiality and Unity
This drawing illustrates the relationship between the building, the re-wilding site and the relocation of the scheme. Once the trees that are planted begin flowering and producing seed, the building is relocated to a new site and nature is left to take its own course.
Through the early stages the trees must be carefully monitored and helped by the re-wilding centre who must ensure each tree is developing at an appropriate rate. Risk of further storm damage is also a big concern at this stage of life
Shroom Shelter
The shroom shelter is a compostable tree shelter made from mycelium, protectig the young tree from browsing animals.
As the trees mature, they will begin to develop different forms seeds. Some species of tree such as Scotts pine produce seeds attract wildlife that will eat the seeds without digesting it, helping seed dispersion through endozoochory. At this stage of growth re-wilding site will begin to provide habitat for animals and native ground plants will begin to grow.
forms of seeds that helping growth the more
Once at a matured state, the site can now be left to natures tune. It is at this point that the Re:gen project will be disassembled and relocated to another area of damaged woodland.
The time taken to reach this stage of maturity is different dependant on the species and type. I would estimate that the building would be in situe for 3-4 years before being relocated.
At full maturity, the re-wilding site will be full of diverse wildlife, boasting a thriving ecology and fully integrated ecosystem. Through actively re-wilding, the site will provide an abundance of environmental and social benefits in response to the climate crisis; providing not only a place for ecology but also for the community.
Locating Future Sites
Choosingfuturesitesiskeytokeepingthe re-wildingjourneyalive.Therelocationof theschemerepresentsacyclicalmoment inwhichthebuildingobjectiverestarts andtheprogrammeacknowledgesanew site. The sites identified below indicate thestartofthisjourney,takingthescheme tonearbyInnerleitheninthesmallhamlet ofHaughheadbeforemovingontoKelso neartheEnglishBorder.
