Co-building
inter-cultural connections in the north
The field school at GSA Highlands & Islands gave students the opportunity to lead a live build project, supported by staff from the University of Lapland, Mackintosh School of Architecture and GSA H&I. It was a chance to share skills and ideas, to experiment with materials, and to think, make and learn together. We used local, sustainable, vernacular building materials to build a place to gather which sits lightly in its environment.
The project sought to avoid the use of concrete or any other invasive methods in the build, so colleagues at Mackintosh School of Architecture designed innovative foundations which were made from fir tree logs, and fabricated by our supportive industry partners Logie Timber. It took time and team work to lay the foundation feet, but they worked a dream!
The live build was made possible by the generous financial support from the Finnish Institute UK + Ireland. The students were the driving force behind the realisation of the live build. Each and every student involved brought unique expertise to the project from their diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds which was invaluable. This collaborative endeavour simply would not have happened without the students, we thank them sincerely for the experience they brought and the fun that we all had!
FieldSchool: inside a gathering circle that faces the forest, is a publication which showcases the live build at the GSA Highlands & Islands campus on the Altyre Estate in Moray.
This publication documents the unique live-build initiative at the GSA Highlands & Islands campus on the Altyre Estate, Moray.
As part of the broader shielin-bough project, FieldSchool bridges Scotland and Finland, exploring how architecture, culture, and the environment intersect. Supported by Logie Timber, the Scottish Government, and the Finnish Institute UK + Ireland, FieldSchool also aligns with the University of the Arctic's innovative Living in the Landscape (LiLa) program.
As part of the broader shielin-bough project, FieldSchool bridges Scotland and Finland, exploring how architecture, culture, and the environment intersect. Supported by Logie Timber, the Scottish Government, and the Finnish Institute UK + Ireland, FieldSchool also aligns with the University of the Arctic's innovative Living in the Landscape (LiLa) program.
Through collaborative workshops, hybrid learning, and landscape-based design, FieldSchool advances inter-cultural exchange and innovative education. This publication celebrates the creativity, insights, and collective effort that brought the project to life. Dive in to explore a journey shaped by nature, collaboration, and imagination.
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