October 8 2021

Fraser/Livingstone Architects (FLA) have won an invited competition to design a pair of timber pavilions and screened loggias at Achmelvich Beach, Assynt.

Assynt Development Trust in collaboration with Highland Council is seeking to upgrade visitor facilities at the popular tourist spot through the provision of an extended car park and beach hub complete with showers, charging points and a ranger's hut.

Positioned on a machair the simple pavilions will be constructed in brut dowel laminated timber (DLT) with screened loggias and overhanging turfed roofs to nestle within a low-lying grassy plain.

Announcing the win the practice wrote: "DLT is the simplest mass-timber technology with baulks of timber secured by a hardwood dowel which, taking on moisture, expands and locks panels of timber that can be low-grade, fast-growing – perfect for locally-grown Scottish timber. FLA is therefore working with local sawmills and contractors to make the project a healthy material, carbon lock and circular economy exemplar.

"With a business plan by Community Enterprises, the project is now in for planning and off for funding."

Famed for its white sands, turquoise sea and other-worldly mountain peaks the sparsely populated region of Assynt in South-West Sutherland has become a centre for hillwalking, wild swimming and bird watching.

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Cadmonkey on 8 Oct 2021 at 10:31 AM

There was an "invited competition" for this?
THIS?

The client and Highland Council had better have paid all the architects involved.

#2 Posted by John on 8 Oct 2021 at 11:09 AM

yea i was thinking the "Invited" bit sounded a bit suspect.

#3 Posted by Clachtoll on 11 Oct 2021 at 15:14 PM

A bit of background https://www.assyntdevelopmenttrust.org/about-4

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