Reimagining Easdale – A Resilient Revival of the Slate Island

Easdale is located amidst a picturesque surrounding in Scotland with clear blue pools of water. The historical significance of the place can be traced back to the 1800s as a major slate producing island. The island included seven slate quarries which became dysfunctional after a major flood hit in 1881. Following this devastating event, Easdale lost its purpose and economical stature.

Plot Area: Island of Easdale, Scotland
Location: Scotland
Year: Competition January 2025
​Scope of Work: Conceptual Architectural Design

On arriving at the shore of Easdale, after an adventurous ferry ride, one craves a pause point to relax and admire the beauty of Easdale. In regards to this, Terraviva, a global platform, organized an international design competition for which Atelier ARBO felt the need to redefine the existing Ferry Hub of the island and create inviting spaces for the ferrymen, visitors, and locals. 

The design approach intended to use local materials to portray the rich historical heritage of the island. The design started with the formation of two triangular pavilions rising up from the ground. The two pavilions offer warm and welcoming spaces to visitors, which include an information centre, a café, and a separate space for ferrymen, along with a waiting lounge for visitors.​

The café is the first structure which a visitor notices upon disembarking on the shore. With slate panels, interspersed with delicate green creepers, forming a part of the slanting roof and glass walls facing the water, the café becomes a delightful shelter offering visitors relaxation and respite. The other pavilion is essentially a semi-open information centre for visitors and a designated basement area for the ferrymen.​

The competition allowed us to experience and observe the historical evolution of Easdale and its severe climatic conditions. The use of slate in the design is intentional as it blends the proposed pavilions with the natural context of the site. The experiential pavilions portray aesthetical simplicity and blend beautifully with the terrain of Easdale – an island that takes you on a breathtaking journey of adorning the scenic beauty of nature.