Around the globe we can see environmental systems beginning to fail adjacent to the inevitability of global warming – rapidly increasing loss of habitat and natural landscape for urbanisation, leading to destroyed ecologies and extinct species. With this, we are experiencing a struggle to control the pollinator population – risking the extinction of essential ecological services.
Our 'Pomona' masterplan aims to reimagine a bare-boned, grey village -Finstown, Orkney, into a physical representation of cultivation and self-sufficiency, with flourishing plant-life and luscious agriculture maintained by the community. By introducing a myriad of new architectural developments with agricultural requirements to strengthen this core concept, the village can be rehabilitated environmentally, and economically.
Creating an Apiary centre for the Pomona Masterplan will provide a protected environment to regrow a pollinator community in Orkney, and repair and replenish the surrounding landscape and agriculture. This concept allows pollinators to interact with other Pomona projects, enhance and expand the local ecology, and establish a greater awareness of the environmental issues we face today.
The Crisis
The Location
The Solution
Saving our Ecology
Regenerating Finstown
Reducing Food Imports
Safeguarding our Heritage
Employment and Tourism
Reviving our pollinator population on Orkney with cultivation and flora. Strengthening the resolve of environmental issues within an elaborate project solving the ecological crisis by establishing a direct input to the cultivation of crops and greenery within all students' projects and Pomona masterplan.
Overlooked and neglected areas of Finstown are revitalised and used by residents for temporary small-scale community or business activities. The improvement of underused areas creates a sense of collective responsibility and pride.
Setting an example for rural communities. Food imports are reduced by cultivating a diverse range of crops. Produce is grown and consumed according to the seasons. Stone walls and gardening technologies help to extend the growing season by creating microclimates.
Protecting Orcadian natural heritage by safeguarding woodland and natural habitats against unnecessary development. Using local materials and construction techniques retains the built heritage. Sensitivity towards scale and appearance of the existing townscape and landscape preserves Orcadian character.
New businesses to provide residents with local, high-quality produce to feed profits back into the community. Local enterprises create a live-work settlement and opportunities for visiting workers. The new town centre of Pomona will become a host for cultural events and gatherings, will provide developments and nature regeneration areas will draw visitors into the landscape.
Bees are critical to our food systems, preserve ecological balance across landscapes, promote diversity in different environments and are essential to climate change. An estimated 84% of EU crops and the vast majority of wildflowers depend on insect pollination.
Since 1990, a 1/4 of all bee species known to science (20,000 varying species) have disappeared....
And 40 - 50% of commercial beekeeping hives have been irradicated.
Damage to the Ecology
The addition of an Apiary Centre in Pomona will make use of the abundant fertile land and provide frequent pollination to the immediate site, across Finstown, and eventually across the Isle. The project will encourage greater community engagement to agricultural activity, along with the development of a flourishing environment for pollination.
• To create a physical barrier between man and Honeybee, Snathad is separated into two structures - the floral land around performing as the bridge between worlds • Connected to the 'Ouse' wetland walkway, the building sits along a trail as an anchor while exploring the landscape of Finstown • Snathad prioritises climate-prompted design, battling tough winds, and forming a protective casing for the colonies • Striving to low-energy strategies, the building attempts to maximise solar gain, and thermal usage via appropriate fenestration, fabric efficiency and radiant heating • Staff will harvest comb from the hives, and proceed to the production facility where it will be processed, distributed and sold • Cafes, open work areas, community spaces, markets and services are provided in the design to heighten community engagement • Active use of flora and fauna planting provides an abundant local food source for the bee population
What is the Design?
At the centre of the project, the tiled bee farm provides an innovative and dynamic space to prioritise the population of the honeybee. It stands as a breathable structure that is designed with consideration of Orkney's strong lateral winds. Maintaining beekeeping activity and pollinator assistance is almost impossible due to the desecration of farms via weathering - so a structure such as this is necessary to revitalise the land's pollination activity.
Ground Floor
First Floor
Roof Plan
The light framework of the farm used an easily-constructed glulam strategy, anchored to the ground. All connections are designed to be easily altered and replaced/repaired when required. A bracket tiling system on the inner and outer facades allows for easy maintenance and effectively allows ventilation strategies to redirect strong winds.
Larch is a local, versatile, timber that works well in exterior structures due to its naturally protecting resin content. Whilst larch is a softwood, it is renowned for its durability and grows quickly around Orkney.
Larch Glulam
The Farm
Weathered Steel
Ceramic's resistance to wear, weathering, and fire ensures long-lasting appeal. Easy to clean and with low maintenance needs due to their non-porous nature. Their lightweight and easy installation, coupled with environmental sustainability
COR-TEN steel is used for smaller supportive elements. It is a high-strength steel with a distinctive appearance and protection against corrosion. There is no need for additional coatings and is low maintenance in harsh conditions.
Naturally honeybees are inclined to find enclosed spaces to house their colonies when not within a man-made hive. The population of a colony can grow exponentially and thus the operation of the facility requires a great number of hives to sustain the land.
The honey bee's traversal through the structure relies upon the open angle of the outer tiling system that runs on easily adjustable brackets.
This strategy allows for flight access in and out of the structure, rainwater to runoff and wind to be dissipated at various angles.
