Sanju Senthilkumar

The project corresponds to energy, landscape and culture through a series of dynamic spaces. From the first order of urban farms (including temple gasworks reimagined as a vertical farm) till the last order of eating, this project brings interaction within various parts of the city. More specifically, revives the vibrance of the industrial canal. In an effort to create the perfect hub on Applecross Basin of the Scottish Canals, the structure amalgamates the neighborhood, topography, sustainability, demography and experiential qualities.

To highlight the wider site attributes into the site, the narrowness is followed within the spaces, pebbled secondary path is introduced to connect the tertiary road that runs in the middle of the site to the primary road, through which vehicles can access the structure. Moreover, introducing a pond in the core of the hub brings in a visual connectivity from the canal into the structure.

The structure itself promotes the very idea of reducing operational energy by introducing a double shell facade on the south facing. Moreover, having a compact hub and house in a singular unit reduces energy loss in locomotion. Moreover, merging of two narrow elements to create a visible privacy border between the house and the hub gives a sense of comfort for the inhabitants. The visual comfort is continued with hidden pockets of greenary, the aquaponic pond, curved forms, etc. To enrich the ecosystem, the pond acts as a natural humidifier and cooler when required. Likewise, temperature control is also done by the trombe wall facade. Creating various levels that overlook nature in one way or another fosters an urban village setup to act as a node for various zones surrounding the site. Residents have got markets to engage with, workers have got the kitchen/ dining to look forward to, tourists have got an abundance of eco-tourism and leisure visitors have got a calming environment.