Orkney is unique, rich in its archaeology, geography, history and culture. The archipelago is located off the Northern-most tip of Scotland where the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea meet in the Pentland Firth. The island community displays a unique Orcadian character, a blend arising from the relatively recent (15th century) connections with Scotland and the more ancient associations with Scandinavia. The residents have a strong sense of their identity thanks to the island's remote location.

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Meanwhile, the seasonal visitor population has increased greatly, consistently breaking volume tourism records for Orkney year on year. This added another theme of 'tourism' to be explored throughout this project - as it is an area of charged debate not only for Orkney but globally too.

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We seek to bridge the two distinct populations with an architectural intervention. In-depth research and analysis was conducted into the possibility of a contemporary 'Orcadian caravanseri' - a place to generate mutually beneficial exchange between cultures.