Our entry to 2015 International Architectecture Competition inspired by Yeats' Poem 'The Lake Island of Innisfree'
To connect with the Island of Innisfree, in a poetic and sensitive way, it is not necessary to step on it.
The proposal is to isolate the visitor, change the context and induce a new way of looking at the Island. A more focused, intentional way, analogously to a good photography that captures the essence of a subject through the experienced and filtered eye of the photographer. Therefore, we propose to build a Dark Room, inside a floating cabin, with a single aperture permanently oriented to Innisfree and reducing the presence of the surrounding landscape.
During the day, sunlight and weather moods will completely change the perception one will have on this apparently elemental and assumedly minimalist object. Light reflections on the water will also play their part, as will the sound of the moving water, the wind blowing, or even the rain drops that will turn the piece into a true shelter.
Conceptual response
Challenge Interpretation
How do you build a structure, even temporary, on a highly sensitive and protected location? Poetries apart, maybe you should not. Maybe you do not even need to.
Concept
Our proposal is to build a Floating Cabin, to be anchored near Innisfree Island without touching it. This cabin is meant to be a contemporary version of Yeats' poetic vision in '...of Clay and Wattles Made".
Materiality
We believe OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is, as a construction material, a contemporary and minimalistic reinterpretation of the "Clay and Wattles" technology. It is also inexpensive, weather resistant, light, ecological and beautiful.
Therefore, OSB is to be the single apparent material of our proposal, formally unifying the entire construction.
Vision
We also believe that, to connect with the Island in a poetic and sensitive way, you do not have to step on it. Our proposal is to isolate the visitor, change the context and induce a new way of looking at Innisfree. A more focused, intentional way, analogously to a good photography that captures the essence of a subject through the experienced and filtered eye of the photographer. Therefore, we propose to build a Dark Room, inside the floating cabin, with a single aperture permanently oriented to Innisfree and reducing the presence of the surrounding landscape. Then we propose to place a seat next to the aperture.
Form
On the other hand, what comes to one's mind when we think of a cabin? We went to the obvious: a small rectangular construction with 4 walls, two of them with gables formed as a result of a duo-pitched roof, almost like a kid's toy, made out of wood blocks.
We then excavate 3 shapes in the otherwise pure object: A way in, a way out and a see-through hole.
Perception
During the day, sunlight and weather moods will completely change the perception one will have on this apparently elemental and assumedly minimalist object. Light reflections on the water will also play their part, as will the sound of the moving water, the wind blowing, or even the rain drops that will turn the piece into a true shelter.
The necessary complexity will arise from the action of the elements.
Function
As a response to the competition program, the proposal has three main purposes:
- To be a temporary landmark, with minimal impact but bold presence;
- To allow for a unique, personal experience of connection with Innisfree, through a different prism. The built-in plinth, centered with the Dark Room's aperture, provides a single seat, allowing that a person, and only a person at a time, experiences a privileged contemplation towards the Island. If you are in a crowd, it will be your moment. If you are alone, it would probably induce meditative states;
- To support Poetry recitals and other events. In this case, the built-in plinth will serve as a seat to the reciter/performer and the Innisfree view through the single window as a scenario to the audience.
Operation
Cabin's visit will lay upon a carefully pre-established route. Visitors will came by boat, dock at the supporting jetties and enter a roofless corridor defined by two parallel blind walls. They will then pass through a movable, flexible, vertical stripes screen, that acts as a filter between exterior and interior and arrive at a Dark Room, whose only opening faces Innisfree. A single, cylindrical built-in plinth will allow for a single person to seat and watch the Island. Even in the middle of a crowd, each visitor shall have his opportunity to experience this privileged view. The way out reproduces the entrance path, in a different direction.
