Located on the Isle of Skye, Ann Nisbet Studio developed a one-bed mobile micro home prototype as a low cost, thermally efficient, mobile house for the rural landscape.

The Studio mentioned that "the client's initial brief was for a "small but not tiny" house on the site. However, after discovering that traditional foundations would be impossible due to poor ground conditions they suggested developing an innovative concept - which is a ‘mobile House’."

"The 30 square meter house contains three main spaces, which are open to the apex, to provide a feeling of space, light and height. Each is divided by a deep storage wall, containing storage or other functions. As explained by the studio that the three spaces flow together, creating a greater feeling of space and light throughout the building."

"Birch faced plywood lines the interior of the building, this was chosen for aesthetic and functional reasons- which is clearly expressed by the architect in the brief of the Scottish Design Awards. The internal cladding was carefully laid out to reduce material waste and any off cuts were reused in shelving and other internal furnishings."

"Externally, the building is clad in a mixture of black standing seam zinc and untreated Siberian larch cladding, emulating those materials commonly found within the rural landscape. Both external and internal materials were considered in terms of longevity, re-use, maintenance and environmental impact," told by Ann Nisbet.

The principles of sustainability and eco-friendliness were applied in terms of construction by employing an offsite construction strategy to limit waste, reduce construction time, and to allow for work to be carried out during the cold Scottish winter months.

"A ‘local’ focus was pursued, rather than manufacturing the building at a distance and then transporting the building to Skye, the focus was on retaining the majority of the work ‘on the island’ or within the Highlands, therefore using local labour and skills, sourcing local materials – where possible, supporting the local economy and reducing the building’s carbon footprint."

"Once complete, the building was transported across the Skye landscape, to the site and lifted into position. In the future the building can be removed from site and travel to a new location, where its narrative will continue," said the studio of the architect.

Awards for the project include RIAS: Award for Architecture 2021, Scottish Design Award: Shortlisted and GIA Architecture Award: Shortlisted.

All photographs © David Barbour.

> via Ann Nisbet Studio & RIAS Showcse 2020