The Ridge, Dunbar is a charitable organisation that provides training and support to the more vulnerable members of society, giving them opportunities to build a better life for themselves and their families. My project aims to provide the Ridge with a framework where they could consolidate what they have already built whilst also allowing them to expand and reach their full potential and ambitions.
As part of the design project, our studio first of all studied timber as both a material and an industry, creating an awareness of the histories and impacts of the materials we use. Thus, beyond the realm of The Ridge and Dunbar as a whole, we were brought to reflect on the wider-reaching impacts that our design and practice can have.
The given site in Dunbar has an existing urban fabric that is in poor condition in many parts, a state of ruin. My project is centred around maximising the reuse of this fabric. Indeed, most of my proposal consists of 'inserting' a new timber framed structure into the masonry remains, creating an interesting design but equally reducing the environmental impact of the proposal.
