Journal - BARD

Architecture Practice, BAILTEAN AILTEIREACHD ’S RÙM DÀNACH:
TOWNSHIPS, ARCHITECTURE & The ROOM of POETICS

A window on Cruachan Beag

A window on Cruachan Beag

This week the @architectsjournal published a speci

This week the @architectsjournal published a special edition of their magazine focussing on Glasgow. It is great to see the range of Glasgow practices and projects and also to see the progression of the “young guns” from 6 year ago and how they have “come of age”.   For us, it’s been interesting to reflect on our journey and growth and what fuels us for whats to come next! We’re very lucky to have such a great team, working for great clients in incredible locations alongside some amazing collaborators. Thank you all.   Glasgow is some place, to be featured alongside some amazing practices including @dressfortheweather_ @incharchitecture @mcginlaybell @loadermonteith @odonnellbrown_ @collectivearchitecture @graemenichollsarchitects @annnisbetstudio @stallanbrand @och.work @haus_collective @architectureoffice.co.uk
 Lets see what the next six years brings!

“I enjoyed the presentation today. First time I

“I enjoyed the presentation today. First time I have seen him he seems good at his work and it’s not also a job to him but genuinely interested in CEE [Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh]. It’s a hard slog but you are all doing great…”

Really nice feedback our client received from a member of the community who attended the recent Community Consultation and Update event in Eriskay where the public were shown the progress on site to date, as well as the efforts going on to bring the project to fruition.

It is a hard slog, but definitely worth it! Photos captured by @alexjamesaylin

We are fortunate to work in some truly remarkable

We are fortunate to work in some truly remarkable places. The contexts are sensitive in their nature and require ingrained understanding of building in rural and particularly island contexts.

Extreme climates, diverse ecologies along with rich heritage are all influencing factors, and so is the added complexities of construction within the islands.

Living in the heart of these places has given us an enhanced appreciation. We care deeply about the heart of location, and doing the best for the communities we work for.

Photo selection including BARD, @andrewlang_ , @alexjamesaylin and Eriskay Construction Group

Our work to existing buildings is of great value t

Our work to existing buildings is of great value to BARD, and we have extensive experience in this field. We enjoy working with existing built fabric which has come down through time. We undertake projects from adaptive reuse through to fabric upgrades and general conservation work, including works to listed buildings.

We take an approach to the built fabric which is close to forensic, looking at the layers of time and history which builds up a picture of the buildings evolution and allows us to chart an approach that adds to the next chapters of future history. One of our clients summed it up in relation to their B listed house transformation “I sense this old Victorian ship is content as she sails on”.

Alongside these activities we also utilize appropriate innovation in relation to fabric upgrades, working with multiple agencies to specify compositions which are balanced, safe and appropriate. Most of the time this utilizes non synthetic materials which brings down the whole life carbon impact of the project. In the case of Ionad Eilean na h-Òige, we have so far demonstrated a reduction of 22% in the carbon load through design and specification choices.

This work is complex and requires a sensitive and understanding hand to stitch through the composite layers of historic buildings both in their cultural context, and also in the building science of a place in time. Photos (except last one) by @alexjamesaylin

We find our work with community and voluntary grou

We find our work with community and voluntary groups highly rewarding and engaging. There is a dynamic with a whole community where we can help propel them to achieve and exceed their goals and aspirations.

Last weekend we were in the Isle of Eriskay where we held an update and further consultation with the community about the Ionad Eilean na h- Òige project, where we are converting a former school into a modern museum facility with community spaces incorporated. This project is truly a collaborative and community driven enterprise, and it is wonderful to see the passion and enthusiasm for the island that is so clear during these events.

We are also simultaneously engaged in consultation approaches with Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac, and although they are differing building objectives, the process is similar, centered around models, conversation, listening and responding. We achieve more, together, like this.

Photos by @alexjamesaylin Last photo by Maighread Stiubhart.

Also on display alongside our physical model at th

Also on display alongside our physical model at the @royal_scottish_academy exhibition is the selection of visuals of Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac. These are composed by @andrewlang_ and can be seen until 11th June

Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac model, currentl

Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac model, currently on display at the RSA. @comanneachdraidhbac

Delighted to have a model of Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac selected and on display at the RSA annual exhibition. Here are some shots by @alexjamesaylin of @charles_tulley_design putting the finishing touches to the model before it went to Lewis

Openings made at Ionad Eilean na h-Òige. Cast neg

Openings made at Ionad Eilean na h-Òige. Cast negatives of the former ceiling linings removed to insulate the roof, which in turn is the record of the buildings evolution. These openings also resolve issues found in some of the walls, and get the building ready for its adaption to a museum. @eriskayheritage

Something lovely about this stage in a project, he

Something lovely about this stage in a project, here being the shoring up of the structure of the stone walls around new openings. All on the journey to converting this former school into a museum for @eriskayheritage

Kicking off New year with site progress visit on t

Kicking off New year with site progress visit on the phase 1 works at Ionad Eilean na h-Òige project on Eriskay. The strip out can look fairly brutal, but comes with its own charm.

Season’s Greetings to all our clients, collabora

Season’s Greetings to all our clients, collaborators, followers and friends. It’s been an amazing year, and we’re excited for 2023 and what’s to come!

The immense landscape viewed from Cruachan Beag an

The immense landscape viewed from Cruachan Beag and captured by @carlton.jpeg

An excellent series of photos by @carlton.jpeg tak

An excellent series of photos by @carlton.jpeg taken during a recent trip to Eriskay.

The project known until now as ‘Taigh Bainne’ has recently changed name to ‘Cruachan Beag’.

The building had previously been a family home until the 1920's belonging to the Macintyres.

Cruachan is the battle cry of Clan MacIntyre translating as "hardness, formidable, insurmountable rocky mountain peak". The name captures the history of the building, as well as the physical characteristics of the location where it’s situated.

Thanks to Liam for the excellent photos. It’s great to see this project mature, changing with every season and improving with the actions of time and weather.

The Thomas Telford manse at Ruisgarry, with the co

The Thomas Telford manse at Ruisgarry, with the converted church glowing from within. These buildings, instructed by the Church of Scotland Act 1824 pop up across Scotland, their variations being siting, relationship between manse and church, and very stubtle shifts in detail giving each their own character. We are fortunate to be currently working on two of these manse buildings.

BARD are seeking a motivated Part 2 architectural

BARD are seeking a motivated Part 2 architectural assistant or Architect to join our team on a temporary / permanent basis. Successful applicants will assist with deployment of several projects at various stages, ranging from domestic to community work.

Key experience of job running is preferred but not essential.
Candidates must be proficient in all relevant CAD and communication software.
Please forward CVs to info@bard.scot

Closing date 7th December 2022.

Great to be on Eriskay last week reviewing progres

Great to be on Eriskay last week reviewing progress on the former school building, which is being overhauled at the moment. We’re now turning attention to detailed design of various interventions in key spaces ahead of the bigger phases, and we’ve been resolving these predominantly on site. #construction #eriskay

A long, linear plan is devised stretching from fro

A long, linear plan is devised stretching from front to back of the site. An entrance is positioned midway down this span within a fold of walls towards the east, aligning to the chimney and heart of the plan.

We have utilised a simple palette of materials: white painted masonry, natural slate roof structure with timber rafters and small areas of turf. These are the staple of traditional construction in the islands, but are reinvented through new forms. Towards the road larger masonry elements create a signboard to the passing public, and a larger blade creates a visual terminal to the building whereupon a large barometer is placed, creating an eye-catching reminder of our reliance on the natural environment.

We have devised the building to anchor it into the streetscape, creating considered public space around and integrating directly to the street allowing a visual connection to the immediate environs and beyond.

Nearby Lighthill was used by sailors to navigate by night in Loch a’ Thuath, we anticipate that Comann Eachdraidh Sgire a’ Bhac will be a renewed beacon in the landscape, establishing its presence on this significant site once again.

Project team: Visuals @andrewlang_ ; model @charles_tulley_design; axo / diagrams @ciarangal___ Model photos @alexjamesaylin project lead: @ruiamo__

Link in bio.

The site lies in the heart of the district of Back

The site lies in the heart of the district of Back, both literally and historically due to the throngs of pupils educated at this location. The site has deteriorated since the school moved, and the former buildings fell into disrepair and were demolished, some following fire.

Unlike other na Comainn Eachdraidh in the islands, this community do not have an old school or other public building to inhabit, and instead have to start afresh. This will begin the healing of the former school site, and position it again as a place for people.

Link in bio.

We are pleased to reveal our work with Comann Each

We are pleased to reveal our work with Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (CEBac) on the Isle of Lewis. They have aspirations to create a new community heritage facility on the site of the former school, which has been vacant for decades.

The brief for the project would satisfy a long overdue need for a local meeting place that will also record, conserve and consolidate the local history of the area.

CEBac alongside BARD undertook a consultation last weekend which was very well received. We are all excited about the next steps on this project and also the opportunities presented.

Link in bio.

Studies of the library and archive at Ionad Eilean

Studies of the library and archive at Ionad Eilean na h-Òige project. This room hollows out a double volume of the former schoolhouse to stack two complimentary functions into a concentrated room where an Ines table (and Windyhill chairs!) are waiting to host the treasures stored within. Past and future history will line and clothe the walls.

Delighted to be shortlisted in the Future Building

Delighted to be shortlisted in the Future Building or Project category of the @scottishdesignawards 2022! The Ionad Eilean na h-Òige project has been tremendous to work on with our excellent client Comann Eachdraidh Èirisgeidh and the Eriskay community.