There is an increasing emphasis on sustainability in construction. Government targets reducing carbon emissions aim for “net zero energy buildings” by 2030. This will entail both high energy efficiency of structures in use and minimal embodied energy associated with their construction. However, current standardised building methods, expressed through accredited construction details, fall well short of this ambition recommending the use of high carbon materials, with little awareness of location and employing design detailing that significantly lags behind energy efficient standards.

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This project focuses on designing a Mountain Hut in Knoydart, an area of Scotland of outstanding natural beauty, as a challenging case study for sustainable design in rural and remote areas. By considering the materials and resources available locally, following the principles of Fabric First, and incorporating Passivhaus elements, encourage a holistic approach to sustainable design. A structure is proposed using locally grown timber construction materials directly from the Knoydart forestry sawmill. Thereafter, detailing of the wall, roof, and foundation components are produced that employ the local timber and sustainable, efficient design that significantly surpass those of the existing government- accredited construction details for the corresponding elements.

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​The choice of local resources minimises embodied energy and allows for a highly efficient thermal envelope to be constructed at little detriment to the regional environment. Its use requires a bespoke rather than standardised construction approach that helps establish a local architectural language that, through the use of natural materials, is immediately sympathetic to people, place, and the environment.