Ulva Ferry Shore Facility
The Shore Facilities Building is an essential lynchpin of larger strategy for the sustainability of the Ulva Ferry area that includes affordable housing, public transport, tourism and maintaining the local school. Pivotally located as a connection point between Mull and Ulva, the building’s programme caters for current and future use as well as for diverse and complex user groups. Flexibility has been designed into the spaces and their uses, allowing for the building to evolve with the community and island.
The lightweight building straddles the shore, minimising the ecological impact on the site with the use of pile foundations that reduce the use of carbon heavy concrete, allow the building to have a minimal impact on the ground and ensure sufficient height to avoid coastal flooding. The facade is simply clad in corrugated steel that mirrors many buildings along the west coast and is economical, durable and recyclable.
As the first building classed as net carbon zero on the island and plans for additional solar pv, the Shore Facility is both innovative and a template for other constructions.
Thorne Wyness Architects began working with Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT)in 2017, developing the brief for the building, having conversations with the community, and testing locations on the crowded and diversely populated site. This long and in-depth process culminated in a planning application in 2022.
As a publicly funded project, the budget was small and comprised from a variety of sources, from local fundraising events to contributions from the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Waterfall Fund, Local Energy Scotland, Steel Charitable Trust and Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust.
This project received a 2024 GIA design award .
Main photo: Barry Whenman / Mull by Drone
