MacroMicro investigates themes relating to the architecture of dwelling; sustainable communi ties; rural typologies; form and identity. We use the term sustainability to mean the integration of low energy spatial confi gurations with specifi c site conditions, appropriate construction tech niques and material practices. Research into existing social, political, physical and technological conditions
informs the architectural response to the relationship between dwelling and the cre ation of sustainable communities. In addressing the challenges for low energy communities and reducing non-renewable energy and material resources, alternative ways of living, spatial and formal relationships are tested from the macro to micro scale. The very particular conditions of life in a remote Scottish community present an opportunity to use architectural design propositions to test alternative approaches in response to the specifi c relationships between built form, type, architectural language, spatial organisation, material resource, and construction technique. This year, the unit aims to create a prototype Rural house that tackles many of the issues currently faced throughout Rural Scotland, the project investigates topics of sustainability, affordability, construction, ownership, the role of the home in the rural Scottish community, the particular energy and heating requirements of a house in Rural Scotland. In more particular, the unit is basing its research on Knoydart, the very individual nature of the peninsula provides the perfect opportunity to ground our thinking and research in a very specifi c context.
