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Camas Centre, Isle of Mull -The Iona Community

Brief

Iona Community asked Gaia Architects to carry a feasibility study for the refurbishment of the Camas Centre. Camas is a centre that provides opportunities for young people with difficulties, helps them address concerns of justice, peace and ecological awareness to encourage personal and spiritual development. Thus by sharing a simple lifestyle; building community and personal relationships; creative and adventure activities; reflections, discussion and spiritual exploration and helping everyone to take responsibility for their own participation and the functioning of the whole group.

Aim

The challenge of the study was to find a way of introducing essential improvements, without losing the simplicity that has become such an important part of the Camas experience.
This involved finding imaginative new uses for existing materials, as a general ecological principle, but also retaining the character which these materials contribute to the history and sense of place. An integral part of the study was the development of a strategy of complete self sufficiency in energy terms.