Westmorland and Furness Council

Budget

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A recent proposal for Piel Island looked to reimagine essential public facilities, ensuring they can support both visitors and the island’s long-term stewardship.

Our design draws inspiration from the island’s layered history, from its medieval castle ruins to the traditions of hospitality embodied by the Ship Inn. The new buildings are conceived not as stand-alone objects, but as quiet companions to this cultural landscape. Their forms take cues from bothies: simple, robust shelters that provide comfort in remote settings. By adopting this typology, the project celebrates the island’s character while addressing practical needs with humility and care.

The structures are designed to be adaptable, low-impact, and resilient against the island’s challenging environment. Materials are chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance, ensuring the facilities remain dependable in the long term. At the same time, the modest scale and careful siting allow the buildings to sit lightly on the land, preserving the island’s sense of openness.

As with many of our projects, the proposal is less a fixed blueprint and more a framework for dialogue. We imagined the design being developed in partnership with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring the facilities respond to real needs and reflect the island’s spirit of collective care.

By combining the simplicity of the bothy tradition with contemporary sustainable design, we aimed to create a place that quietly supports life on Piel Island, a space where practicality meets heritage, and where the everyday needs of visitors strengthen, rather than detract from, the unique atmosphere of this special place.