This is a display of group work produced by the recent graduate year in their first semester of study – September to December 2018. The work is focused on the theme' Living and Working' in Orkney.

 

The Orkney islands are home to rich in cultural heritage and a unique community that is welcoming to newcomers. However, like many island communities, they face issues of depopulation with many young people moving away from the island, an ageing population within those who remain. However, in future, the islands could hold a crucial place at the centre of world trade and are home to a renewable energy industry that holds the potential for island growth. With these possibilities, there is a chance to grow and develop local businesses which produce food, arts and crafts, all from the unique cultural heritage of the islands.

 

Students began by conducting research into these issues faced by the islands as well as researching aspects that could positively benefit Orkney. This research was distilled into a manifesto, which acted as a guiding document used to aid the design of two architectural masterplans. These masterplans seek to facilitate the growth of Stromness and Kirkwall, through identifying areas, which have the potential for further development. For Stromness, the student's proposal sought to redevelop the approach into the town from the north and the other side of the Hamnivoe. Similarly, in Kirkwall, the student proposal aimed to redevelop the area around the Peedie Sea.

 

These masterplans would form the context in which their individual projects would sit. Like the masterplans, the briefs for these proposals were created by students in response to the points raised by the units manifesto. Students used the masterplans and manifesto to create briefs which responded to the context of the towns and sought to address the issues raised by the research through benefitting upon the opportunities available on the Islands.