Ross Munro 2020
Arctic Council Assembly
Stromness is noticeably split into two sides, the main town position to the east and the ever-growing developments on the over side facing the west. Between each half a high school sits central at the peak of the unsheltered bay. The master plan introduces many new designs that will help improve Stromness immensely, particularly a sports centre, business hubs and affordable housing. These designs are predominantly situated along the shoreline to help create a visible connection between the two sides and to increase the amount of sheltered space within the town. All aspect of this proposal aims to renew the strong sense of community that is so apparent throughout the island of Orkney.
The bridge if a fundamental part of the whole master plan as it creates a direct link between both sides. Literally reconnecting the route to complete the community and providing a new direction of access round thru town. The main low road in Stromness connect to the bridge at the point where the old ferry terminal was located; on the west side the bridge join to the new road and provides access to the new ferry terminal and the proposed public sports sports centre. At each end the bridge meets a different functional space. This design aims to encourage and promote a safe, healthier method of transport and a direct route across to the other side of the town. It will also enable easy access for the exportation and importation of products and encourage the expansion and raise the tourist appeal of the island.
In order to accommodate for the continuous movement of boats through the bay one section of the bridge will open to create an entrance and help to control the flow of marine traffic. This mechanism will be one of the main focal points and will allow visitors and pedestrians to watch the boat pass through from the restaurant and the viewpoint on the walkway. Splitting diagonally the two raised halves will symbolise the sails of boats once opened and aesthetically will create a significantly stroking feature.
Krasmir Banchev 2020
Krasmir Banchev 2020
Krasmir Banchev 2020
With the potential for northern shipping routes to become open for greater periods of the year, there is a likelihood that the Arctic Region will see an increase in maritime activity as a result. Since much of this shipping will pass through the waters in the Northern Atlantic and North sea, this proposal suggests that Scotland could play a role in the managing and mediation of this resulting activity.
This project proposes that Orkney could take advantage as a ‘gateway to the Arctic’ and its position on the border of the two bodies of water likely to experience an increase in shipping and other activity, becoming the new home of the Arctic Council. The preeminent organisation which oversees the management of the Arctic region. This move would represent Scotland and the UK’s willingness to act as an impartial mediator for the region, as a ‘near-Arctic country’, assisting the council in the responsible management of the Arctic. Furthermore, due to the Orkney islands strategic location, likely becoming a vital stopping point for ships travelling along these newly open routes, moving the council to the islands would provide a greater level and sense of oversight.
The Council Headquarters consists of the principal assembly space, Secretariat offices, meeting/committee rooms and along with other facilities, such as a public cafe. The secretariat functions as the main workspace for the members of the Arctic Council and their staff. The Assembly functions as the principal place of interaction between the public and the council members, with the inclusion of a viewing gallery overlooking the main council chamber.
The building’s design is based upon two initial ideas. The first idea is that the’ secure’ secretariat facilities are lifted off of the ground floor, providing a clear and interrupted public route to the main council chamber, which is situated out on the water. The second is that the ground floor is the split into two parallel and overlapping paths, both leading to the council chamber. One is forming the main public route and access to the building the other is to be a secure space for the members, accessing all of the buildings assembly spaces. The combination of these two ideas has resulted in the concept of the building taking the form of a floating block or object over external and internal landscapes, with the building cores building the only components connecting the floating block to the ground.