My final year thesis project is centred around Scotland’s Transition to Net Zero; when visiting Scotland in November of 2022, I was struck by how quickly it had begun its transition, particularly in the Whisky industry, due to the long maturation process of 12-24 years. This led me to my project idea of exploring how waste products from the distilling process can be used to create a new form of green electricity which can be produced by a local community-owned Energy Cooperative.
My project focuses on designing a Single Malt Scotch Distillery based in Invergordon; however, a whole site masterplan was produced for as the business develops. The distillery is located in the town’s old, abandoned WW1 oil tanks which during both WW1 and WW2 were used to house oil for the naval ships based in the North Sea; these tanks have laid dormant since the 1960’s since their decommission. The distillery uses these tanks and other existing buildings, such as the Generator house, to connect the past and future. The project explores the juxtaposition between light/dark and public/private spaces and how these interact and intertwine to create a seamless experience for both the workers and the public who visit. Using the sculptural and poetic nature of whisky, the project aims to provide the local community not only their own revenue but also an opportunity to create new employment and skills development in the search for sustainably sourced community-owned green energy.
Tutor: John Sampson
Inchindown Distillery Manifesto Branding Image.
The Defining Features of Scotch Whisky and how it's produced through a Distilling Process.
Digrams exploring the waste products produced from the distilling of Whisky and how waste is turned into electricity through the biomass process linking to the community Cooperatives’ Ambitions.
Diagram exploring the circular economy of the site and how this links to the programme of the distillery.
Site’s location in Scotland and its relationship to local industries, surrounding towns and infrastructure in the highlands.
Distilleries’ location within Invergordon and images of the town.
Site images of Inchindown Tanks, exploring the dramatic light conditions on site.
Site images of Inchindown Tanks, looking at the various types of texture from the landscape to the tanks themselves.
Site images of Inchingdown Tanks, exploring the types of colour found on site.
The masterplan of the site explores the locations of the sustainable forest, Biomass plant, Waste Storage facilities and the location of the distillery itself. This plan also explores possible walking routes and tree locations to represent tanks which have been removed.
Image showing the main massing and atmospheric moves taken on the site helping to situate the distillery within the existing landscape.
The Ground floor plan shows the key spaces which both the public and private enter and how the building links to the existing landscape.
Basement level plan showing the darker atmospheric spaces within the building.
The first Floor plan shows the triple height distilling spaces within the scheme.
The roof plan of the Distillery shows the use of skylights within the scheme helping to capture dramatic light conditions on-site.
Within the plan, the building flips with both ends alternating between public and private zones. This allows for varying changes in the atmosphere to be experienced by both workers and the public. This also allows for both ends of the building to be explored by all who access the building.
Section through the scheme shows the connections to the existing oil tanks and the distilling spaces.
Elevation of scheme showing the use of brick and Scotch larch within the building and horizontal timbers to break up the facade.
Diagram showing the whole front elevation and how vertical timbers have been used to define key spaces within the building.
This render shows the front entrance to the distillery and how the newly built elements connect to the existing buildings on site.
The render shows the internal tank light show, which will be experienced by guests as they first enter the distillery.
Render showing the distilling space centred at the heart of the building.
This render shows the tasting room based in the basement of the distillery; the large circular window creates a visual connection between the master distiller and the tours which will take place.
Image showing the water collection tank. This space is designed to be a poetic representation of water and whisky making and is also used as a main rainwater store for water to be used within the distillery.
Image showing the tank farm and how new planting for the sustainable forest has been added, as well as additional sustainable measures such as introducing bees on the site.
Image showing the back entrance of the distillery and its connection to the existing tanks left within the site's landscape.
Isometric image of the whole distillery scheme, showing the different building heights and connections to the existing buildings of the oil tanks and Generator House.
A facade model at 1:50 shows the varying vertical and horizontal cladding types used within the scheme.
Sectional development model of the distillery at 1:200.
Image of Branding for Inchindown Distilleries Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Image of branded elements created for my final exam. The image contains a branded whisky bottle, whisky cocktail cards (which contained details on how to make the cocktail and building elements) and cork costers with Inchindown Distilleries Logo.
This project, based in Invergordon, Scotland, explores the role Whisky making can have on Scotland’s transition to net zero. The programme explores how Whisky distilling waste can be used to produce electricity through a Biomass process, which will help power the local area. The distillery is owned and run by the community for the community and aims to place the ideas of distilling at its heart.
For this part of the project, a technology assignment was undertaken, exploring the various levels of Architectural Technology through the building scheme down to the architectural details. The assignment explores the project’s overall Structural Strategies, Internal Environmental Design and Material Assembly Specialism.
Throughout this assignment, the main distilling spaces have been explored as these contained the most challenging technical aspects and technical details. The project uses Glulam timber as its main load-bearing structure, with CLT and brick as the secondary structures. The project aims to allow all these materials to be reused and placed within the site’s circular economy.
Design Tutor: John Sampson
Technology Tutor: Yun Wu
My fifth-year project focused on exploring the ideas of civicness and delight and how the two aspects can be combined to create a thriving community building. My project aim was to reuse an existing building within the city centre and add new built elements to develop an interesting connection between old and new.
Sheffield city centre has rich connection and history with making. With new development proposed within the city centre, it is now more important than ever that this city’s history of making is not forgotten, but instead celebrated.
This proposal aims to create a cycle of making within the community and city. The scheme includes the redevelopment of the listed Leah’s Yard, with new proposals for a skill share space to be used by on-site makers to share their skills with the community, and an archive where work will be placed for future generations to enjoy. The programme aims to celebrate the craftsman and keep its rich history alive for generations to come.
Tutor: Kate Nicklin
Images showing Sheffield’s past, present and proposed identities
Site plans at 1:5000 and 1:500 show the site location and initial areas of interest in the city centre.
Location plan showing the phases of the new development in the city centre.
Initial analysis of the new proposed development in the city centre.
An initial research booklet was created in the first parts of the project, exploring new developments and key aspects around the site.
Site drawings showing key views of the site from various access points. The site location is highlighted in red.
Leah’s Yard existing building model at 1:200. Made using grey card.
Programme collage shows the links to the site's past use of making and how this will be reintroduced back into the city centre. Reigniting the lost craft and creating a civic presence in the city.
The programme overview highlights the connection between the existing buildings and the new proposals and how elements overlap to inform a new scheme.
The axonometric drawing shows the construction history of the yard and how it has developed over time.
The plan shows areas of interest on site and aspects and architectural features which want to be retained or celebrated.
The plan above shows the key areas of alteration on site ranging from demolition (red) and new additions (Grey) through to more light touch alterations in the existing fabric of the yard.
Final massing model at 1:250 made using grey card and coloured paper.
Key views from the tower and key connecting routes to the new proposals.
Floor plans of the proposal, new additions highlighted in terracotta.
The plan shows various courtyards which are influenced by the programmes going on in the plans. The multiple courtyards all have their own identities, some more paved and some more green spaces; each helps inform the activities within them.
Internal plans and axonometric views of the live/work spaces located at the back of the building.
The perspective section shows the live/work spaces in use and the connections to the courtyard and external walkways.
Axonometric sketch showing the details considered in the walkway, for example, changes in levels, enlarged corners and connections to existing bay windows.
Internal courtyard sketch showing activity within the existing yard.
Section B-B cuts through existing yard studios and live/work space skill share building.
Internal render of the skill share building showing the open plan design and glass separation between wet and dry spaces.
Section A-A shows the Makers Archive; this space is accessible to the public, and parts of the community made objects will be placed in this area for them to enjoy in years to come but also reignite the lost craft within the city centre.
The North Elevation of the scheme shows the connection between the new proposals and the existing building.
Paper elevations were made using various coloured papers.
Rendered View of scheme.
The project is situated in the heart of Sheffield city centre, within the previously functioning ‘Little Mesters’ courtyard known as Leah’s Yard. The proposal seeks to return craftsmanship and making to this formerly prominent location in the heart of the city. The programme aims to make this yard a new centre of civic life. As part of this scheme, the makers will be encouraged to share their skills within the city in return for studio space. The items made in the yard will also be placed in an archive, emphasising Sheffield’s historic-making language within its community.
As part of this technology assignment, we were asked to explore detailing for an element of the proposed scheme; I decided to explore the civic nature of the building’s façade through clay tiles. I intended to explore how materiality can help connect to the programme happening within the building by looking closely at the skill share room and its relationship to its internal environment and external façade.
The submission looked at the building’s connection between the inside and out, creating a universal language of making through the scheme, informing other aspects of my design work. The use of technology helped me to build up the façade of the building, looking at the complex and challenging junctions and how a seamless tiled façade is constructed.
Design Tutor: Kate Nicklin
Ariel view of the site highlighted in red.
Process work made during the year exploring the section and details of the proposal.
Initial precedent studies looking at the use of a tiled facade and hempcrete structure.
1:20 sectional detail of the facade build-up and 1:5 details of floor-to-wall junctions and wall-to-roof detail junctions.
Digital 3D model of the external facade of Skill share room. Highlighted 3D drawn tile details showing how a seamless facade can be achieved.
Sample elevation of the skill share space looking at the choices of glazing. This helps emphasize the playfulness and creativity of the activities done in the room.
Materiality Sample showing the existing yard and the types of tiles that would be used on the facade.
Printmaking skill swap engagement activity looking at how memories of Sheffield can be placed on the elevations.
Sample of how the memories could be placed into elevation as various tiles would need to be replaced. These tiles would be made by the ceramists on site.
1:20 technology model looks at the construction of the facade and internal environment. Made using grey card, coloured paper, balsa wood and foam board.
