Lucas Gjessing

Offices, exhibition/shop space, counselling spaces and teaching spaces are what meets the street and becomes the face of the project - what the everyday Dunbar citizen will see when walking down the high street. 

There are visual connections continuing through the building , connecting the items sold and exhibited to the activities going on further down the rig. These spaces are located on the ground floor of the existing buildings (36 + 40 High Street) and in a two story extension in the rig belonging to 40 High Street.

Separating this program from the louder activities allows for a better learning/working environment, and a calmer more private area for providing counselling and other conversation. 

The main production space and construction hall is located behind the office and exhibition space, separated by a through-way where materials can be transported and which works as a sheltered walkway between the two buildings for moving both people and products/materials.

The Hall itself is a singular large volumes over two levels spanned by a 15 degree angled ramp. A north facing clerestory window running the length of the hall provides even light throughout the day. The windows can also be opened to increase ventilation and air flow. 

Two large sliding doors create the possibility for transportation through the lower segment of the hall. The wall facing the office building can be opened up to move structures/large equipment in and out of the hall. When all doors and windows are open the space functions close to a roofed outdoor space - this is good for warm summer days or for activities that need particularly good ventilation. 

The last building of the Project consists of a series and workshop spaces with space for one or two tradesmen/designers at a time. This building can be accessed without entering any other parts of the site - but is connected both visually and physically to the rest of the program. 

The workshops are owned by the ridge, but is open for anyone to rent. Fishermen might for example rent a workshop during the off-season to mend and produce fishing equipment.

This building also provides changing facilities and a dining/kitchen space. 

The building containing smaller workshops will be built using timber dried and prepared on site joined together without using fixings or adhesives. This way of building will span several years, and aims to strengthen understanding of timber as a material and create an interest in traditional timber technology and joinery. 

The complexity of the structure is aligned with the occupants level of joinery skill - High (tradesmen and accredited artists)

The assumed time line for the structure is 14,5 year.

As a way to engage the local fishing community in Dunbar and expand the reach of The Ridge, a small building used to dry and store fishing nets is proposed. The building would be built by apprentices from The Ridge and therefore function as a visual connection between the fishing industry in the harbour and the proposed construction hall of Dunbar High Street. 

The shape and form of the Fishnet House is inspired by traditional drying houses found in Hastings. However the shape is altered to create a funnel, increasing air flow and ventilation of the nets. To avoid damage to building and equipment stored inside the building references traditional food storage buildings that are assembled to keep rodents and water away while still allowing sufficient ventilation. Other elements of the construction that contribute to the buildings function are pivoting panels for ventilation and a protective layer wrapping around the outside consisting of battens that easily can be replaced, therefore prolonging the lifespan of the structure.