Date: 07 November 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Taigh Chearsabhagh is a multi-award winning Museum and Arts Centre based in Lochmaddy, on the North-East side of the Isle of North Uist. Locate were commissioned first to lead a feasibility study into potential extension works. Scottish Arts Council funding was attained and Locate have since developed the Art Studio extension to completion in December 2007.
At the earliest stages, the Artists’ Studios were conceived as a separate building. Adding them to the end of the existing building has meant building onto the beach and moving the village sewer but the advantages more than outweigh this. Resource use and disruption have been minimised and there are now three separate studios in a line that can be flexibly divided giving the Centre a variety of options. In addition, the building now dramatically extends over the high water mark and the adjacent deck allows you to experience the wonderful vistas with water lapping / crashing directly beneath you!
This is the third extension to the original buildings at Taigh Chearsabhagh, so it was very important to maintain a consistency of approach so that the complex does not develop into an unholy mix of Architectural forms and styles. The overall form and external materials of the building were very much set by the adjacent roof and walls, although Locate developed the narrower third studio a little differently as it protrudes over the original drop into the sea.
Internally too the design kept faithfully to the rest of the building in overall feel and details, although the steel frame is a new strategy for the buildings, this made sense in terms of giving the spaces a much higher degree of flexibility. It was always important to allow for high levels of natural light whilst controlling glare.
Extending the existing building kept resource use and disruption to a minimum. The main focus was on reducing energy use through good levels of insulation and airtightness. The extra energy needed was kept low enough to enable us to keep the existing boiler without replacement or addition. Low energy lighting was used exclusively and rooflights were introduced to increase natural light levels. Several elements were reused including the large square window that was in the original building gable before extension. Natural paints and linoleum were specified internally to reduce internal health risks and underfloor heating was chosen as the healthiest option. Conservation water fittings were specified.
Project name: Taigh Chearsabhagh Arts Studio Extension
Architect: Locate Architects
Client: Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre
Location: Lochmaddy, North Uist
Cost: c.£250,000
Link: http://rps.gn.apc.org
Images: Stephen Carter and Chris Morgan
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Building Biographies
09 Oct 08 to 11 Jan 09, The Lighthouse, Glasgow, Gallery 4
The 4th biennial survey of architecture in Scotland explores new trends in regional and sustainable building by looking at eight recently completed buildings, mainly in the Highlands and Islands, alongside six from continental Europe.
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