Passage through the Shadows
Location: Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland
Date: March-May 2024
Competition:
The Home of Shadows (2024),
International Architecture Competition by BUILDNER.
Project: Passage through the Shadows - gradiating landscapes
The Passage Through The Shadows reflects the lacustrine characteristics of the Scottish
LocNess, whilst intentionally encapsulating and establishing a relationship with the local light
conditions. The building revolves around a triad of features. the shoreline, the forest treeline
and the movement of the sun at 57° N latitude define the limits of the building.
The shifting horizontal shape creates a pathway for movement, providing clear division
between the public and private space, as well as the changing landscape. The pathway
through the building acts as a guide through the dark utilizing light as focal points to lead
the user. The angles that form barriers between spaces replicate those in the natural treeline,
thus shaping the building to reflect the local context. Each of the spaces use light differently
depending on the time of day.
The entryway, using a perforated sandstone wall allows for select moments of light to enter
the space whilst maintaining privacy. This feature hides the views of the Loch which will be
exposed in subsequent stages of the user’s path. Contrastingly, the angles of the rooms
capture and expose the view to the user within the room, whilst allowing specificity of function
to naturally follow sunlight. room, whilst allowing specificity of function to naturally follow
sunlight. The courtyard sits at the intersection of public and private sections of the building.
A pathway which connects the two distinct parts allows for views of the magnificent Loch.
The southern fragment of the courtyard is a tunnel viewpoint, admiring the loch. The building
allows the users to be on the water without physically interacting with its dangerous waters.
The light which enters through the roof of the spaces has also been strategically placed to
follow the users journey horizontally through the building. The angled panels have been placed
along the central path of the building and they create linear shadows which direct the user of
the building on their subsequent steps. The level changes within the building’s structure follow the
natural elevation of the coast. Strategic steps throughout the pathway of the building
differentiate the rooms while allowing for an open plan between the different spaces. Such
choice creates differentiation between the distinct functions of the rooms while allowing for an
open landscape and clear views out onto the Loch through the entire house.