Extended Portfolio
2013-2015
St FLANNAN’S COLLIERY -
Landscape Master Planning/Landscape Reclamation
This project outlines an infrastructural development plan for site of St Flannans Colliery within the context of Kirkintilloch and the surrounding towns and villages. The first two pages of this section relate to the regional masterplan with the remaining pages are dedicated to providing a design solution for the site of St Flannans’ itself. The project as a whole intends to develop a strong and practical focus for the region to unlock new social opportunities that will link with both the wider network of Central Scotland and the local community.
The main objective is to improve access to St Flannan’s for the neighbouring towns and villages whilst bolstering the existing landscape character of the region. The isometric drawings on page 6 illustrate the interventions required to create a distinctive series of networks that link the countryside, towns, villages and the canal passage itself to St Flannan’s. Safe and legible routes to St Flannan’s are crucial when considering the aim of devoloping an inclusive community hub on the site.
EXPOFRANCE 2025 -
Une Exposition Territorialisée/Strategical Master Planning
My Erasmus placement at L’École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage-Versailles, started with a European Workshop. In groups we were asked to analyse France on various scales and put forward proposals for the World ExpoFrance 2025. My group were tasked with analysing France as a whole and were asked to pinpoint key areas in which the Expo could focus. After a few days gathering information we presented our ideas to the class, visiting professors and notable people associated with the Expo, including the Director himself. We illustrated our evidence for why Energy, Tourism and Agriculture where the main subjects that should be explored within ExpoFrance 2025. We also indicated that future advertisement and investment in regions which have a particularly strong relationship with these industries could enliven France as a whole by creating nodes of activity all across the country associated with the Expo.
Upon completion of the European Workshop, I was tasked with continuing the work on some of the themes on an individual basis. I utilised an idea brought up within the workshop; working with France under different long term ‘growth scenarios’. I chose one hypothetical scenario shown above (left) which examined a possible population migration were France’s inhabitants would spread across the country and move out of the cities. I deliberately didn’t give the proposals a timescale to allow for a more theoretical study and one that wasn’t restricted by today’s technology. Although I didn’t chose to work further with the nuclear energy theme, I have left their markings on the drawings to show their proximity to the national nature reserves and the cities. This independant study was short (1 week in total) but coming from Scotland I found it a very good way to understand some of the primary issues concerning the French landscape.
Two basic options shown here indicating how different approaches to riparian edges could not only help link green corridors in France but also reveal its surrounding landscape to its users. Where increased vegetation is needed (above), it could be added alongside the waterways whilst continuing to allow for public access, boosting the ecological value of the area yet continuing to provide a function to its users passing through. On the other hand, where the waterways pass through areas of culturally important landscapes, clearings could be made (where appropriate) to afford the visitor the experience of the wider landscape placing them within a context they can associate with. This study was short but hopes to provide some different ideas alongside the French national project ‘Tram Bleu et Verte’.