The Island of Muck has a strong community, despite sharing the feudal Land ownership that tends to dominate and in places inhibit process in Scotland . Here - on The small Island of Muck - Population 70 - The natives and the estate seemed to be in some kind of balance . The feudal pattern as ever had to some degree for some centuries inhibited it from growing its population or agricultural system. It was certainly not easy to find land to build a house on. With little diversity and beasts ruminating everywhere it's ecology was limited but no one dares say so .. Land Reform policies were under way and It was awaiting some new blood. A number of the original "Castaways" from the TV experiment in 2000, decided to engage with the estate and somehow were granted license to set up a residence there. We made the arrangements for one of the Building kits which had been sitting for 7 years in a pile to be transferred from the Oak Framers Yard to the island. The Frame was checked over and it was given a few minor tweeks in preparation for transport back to the Hebrides. The original Carpenters who made the Frame originally were there for the re-raising. All the original doors windows, and second fix Joinery had been carefully de-nailed for reuse. Pod No3 was given a new Home nestled at the back of the village behind the village Hall. Other than 2 days for the mechanised digger putting in a "zero run off" reed Bed system from localised gravels and Plants it was all gentle hand work and graft. Never a chore . Construction took just 4 weeks.
All turf taken from underneath the Pod was put back on the roof. It is entirely "off grid" as a building generating much of its energy from the sun. It takes electricity as required from a wind generator at its rear.. It was super Insulated and Isolated and fitted with just a Stove for heating.
We set the contractual basis up for a Self Build. Found the materials and turned up expecting to get Mucky. It sits happily enough in that Hebridean Landscape facing south west and over the other sma' islands. on a clear glass day you can see Saint Kilda . It received an Inverness Association of Architects IAA Award and a commendation from Highlands and Islands Award for New Build Housing in 2008
Its. not high Architecture but its not bad for an old second hand kit of parts that we designed in 1999.
It's greatest credential is its recyclability and mobility. Walter Segal was the constant inspiration.
It employs non toxic and clean specification. Other than the foil in the Isolation layer this can fall back to nature without contaminating the ground it sits on .