Eyemouth Centre for Boat and Wreck Conservation

As a major project in the final year of my RIBA Part I, I was given the brief to create a conservation facility for the restoration of boat wrecks. With an exposed site on the harbour of Eyemouth on the east coast of Scotland, creating a response including as much renewable technology as possible due to the nature of the site. With research into marine archaeology, I discovered that sugar can be used to stabilize wood as it is dehydrates, as an alternative to polyethylene glycol (PEG), a chemical usually sourced unsustainably from the petro-chemical industry.

Assigning part of the site for the cultivation of sugar beet, extracting the sugar was then developed as part of the active heating strategy of the building, meaning heat was recycled as far as possible. Passive systems on a site with limited solar radiation meant that photo-voltaic panels were eliminated due to the poor yield, and instead wind turbines benefitting from the coastal wind dynamics of onshore and offshore breezes were proposed; a Darrieus-Savonius wind turbine mounted on the roof structure providing minimal visual impact as well as a high returns.

Situating the proposal’s primary space within an existing mound of earth with a large retaining wall (formed with in situ interlocking piles bored to shape a typical boat hull contour) was developed to realise a more balanced temperature throughout the year in the variable local climate with relatively consistent geothermal temperatures, with the necessary level of moisture also being maintained. A water retaining system using run-off water at roof level and gravity aided water circulation was also investigated. The displaced earth from the retaining wall would be used to landscape the surrounding area to minimise the impact of the entire development when viewed from the town, as well as concealing vents for earth pipes, again utilising geothermal heat to maintain a constant heat of air induced by a passive, wind aided ventilation.

The structure was developed to a very high level of detail with the collaboration between a student of Engineering, a student of Quantity Surveying, and myself. This resulting in a proposal that would be buildable, sustainable and environmentally beneficial to the area with respect to the site as it existed.