The juxtaposition of the space between the flat plane of the plinth and the wavelike surface recall the blurred image of a beating wing.

That curving, living, predictable line... is the incarnation of everything that forms a contrast in the modern world between mechanicalness and religious beauty in life.

Nature is freedom's symbol. Sometimes it is even nature that creates and maintains the concept of freedom. If we base our technical plans on nature we have a chance to ensure that the course of development is once again in a direction in which our everyday work and all its forms will increase freedom rather than decrease it.

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976)

Energy Use

The key to reducing energy consumption is not about expensive/sophisticated technology, but through simple passive solar design and adequate thermal mass.

Heating in the building/s is to be only renewable energies (biomass-organic waste). Many examples of low energy housing exist with no groundbreaking technologies, just basic principles. Heavy weight material to north facade and sun-buffer to south façade providing each apartment with a conservatory strip. Excess heat will be drawn from buffer by stair towers acting as solar-chimneys. Stair/lift towers will also double up as rubbish chutes for pre-sorted waste disposal directly into the recycling station contained within the plinth. The towers will also collect and store rainwater for flushing toilets.

Green Space

More than half of the site (60%) will be enhanced and managed as a wild woodland/leisure park acting as an extension of the Lochend Park. The built form will read as a building in the park. Including terrace and roof garden areas with green space almost 85/90% of the site will be public and open. The future light-rail delicately sits into the site, resting on minimal pilotis.