RSA ANNUAL EXHIBITION

We are pleased to announce that Skye Shelter features in The Royal Scottish Academy Architecture Open Exhibition

The RSA Architecture Open 2017 is part of the RSA Annual Exhibition and aims to showcase some of the most interesting architectural practices drawn from across Scotland and beyond. The Architecture Open will feature a range of models, architectural drawings and film and is curated by convenor John McAslan RSA. The Royal Scottish Academy building is situated on The Mound in the centre of Edinburgh and was built by William Henry Playfair 1822-6.

It is a pleasure to have a small selection of imagery hung as part of this national exhibition. This is a welcomed opportunity to celebrate work achieved since establishing the student-initiated platform in 2013. It highlights collaborative small-scale live build projects by a platform of architectural design students; as a way of collectively learning, skills sharing and providing further insight into how buildings work and are constructed.

Now in its 191st year, The RSA Annual Exhibition is a focal point of the RSA programme and showcases work from RSA Academicians the length and breadth of Scotland. It continues to provide a platform for contemporary painting, sculpture, film, printmaking, photography and installation alongside work by some of the country’s leading architects.

The show opens to the public on 1 April 2017 – 7 May 2017; Monday to Saturday 10-5pm, Sundays 12-5pm, in RSA Upper & Lower Galleries, The Mound, EH2 2EL.

Live Projects Network

It’s a delight to be published as part of the Live Projects Network, alongside other brilliant schemes that explore full-size construction, and showcase live-build. Find us here, in the Live Projects Network depositary.

Building on existing and emerging relationships with other institutional live project contexts, the Live Projects Network is an online resource to become a critical point of reference to connect students, educators, clients, practitioners and researchersinvolved in live projects. The aims are to promote the use of live projects in education, share best practice, encourage dialogue and also contribute to the establishment of a theoretical basis for the study of live projects.

… above us only stars!

Last week we had the opportunity to take full advantage of clear-blue skies, cloud free landscapes, and settled evening weather. What better way to document our work so far, than capturing it in the night sky. This offering of shelter in such a rural vacant landscape is accented by candlelight in some alluring long exposures.

It’s all in the detail

… they say the devil is in the detail!

This week we’re talking details, connections, and junctions as we make finishing touches. Architect and designer Charles Eames, said “the details are not the details, they make the design”. For, architecture is space, in which there are many boundaries, connections, and opportunities to direct movement. We explore this very carefully using salvaged and carefully sourced Scottish timbers to create further decking, a delightful hanging swing, and the most comfortable toilet seat! Think loo with a view. Think salvaged Opepe. Think ultimate ergonomics.

We’re back : Finishing Touches

This week we’re back on site with fellow friends working hard coordinating ‘Finishing Touches Week’. Follow the developments on our blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account.

Also, why not check out our Gallery Media which is ever growing with great photos of our projects, and work so far…

Cooking up something good!

This weekend we’ve been staying at the Skye Shelter bothy making some improvements, drawing inspiration, and making plans in our newly formed kitchen.

We’re putting ideas in motion, and developing new proposals… which include a ‘Finishing Touches Week’ this year!

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The end is near! (Day Six)

We conclude this journey with a complete tower, and outdoor decking. Sharing in achievement, excitement, and celebration for it’s been a truly great week of design, construction, and build.

Today we completed our tower window design, constructed the window panel, finished all pavilion purlins, completed the decking, and tidied site before we depart.

What goes up (Day Five)

Having created our timber wall panels, it’s time to put them together! The main shape of the tower is coming together, and everyone is working hard to finish the posts of the pavilion, and detailing the interior.

The excitement comes, when everyone soon realises the impact they have made, and the progress in such a small space of time. Now it’s a case of making all water tight, so we can investigate and explore details tomorrow…

… panels … panels … panels (Day Four)

Probably one of the best days on site; where the true learning of full-size build comes into its own. Self-built timber
-frame structures offer complete flexibility of design and allow us to erect our panel walls in such a short space of time. The concept is simple, watch one being built – now it’s your turn! What better way to learn how to build timber-kit walls at 1:1 (full size) scale…

Today also saw the pavilion design develop and finalise, using an outdoor canopy to provide shelter and rain-cover. With an array of ideas for small interventions in the landscape and substantive outdoor furniture – we’re growing, and pushing the boundary of shelter, living, and lifestyle both inside and outside; and questioning what it means to accommodate such a rural off-grid space in the landscape.