An Clàr
Cohousing, urban farm, experimental restaurant
An Clàr is a project combining cohousing practices and living with urban farming and gastronomical experimentation. It is situated in Beith, a small struggling Scottish town experiencing demographic and economic decline. The initial research showed that the town had a disproportionate amount of elderly, few young adults, and not a single restaurant.
An Clàr has two purposes: to provide cheap and shared accomodation for the young, the elderly and young families; and to create an economic opportunity for the entire community. At its heart sits an experimental restaurant featuring local produce, some from the project’s own urban farm, that doubles as a culture space.
TAn Clàr has two purposes: to provide cheap and shared accomodation for the young, the elderly and young families; and to create an economic opportunity for the entire community. At its heart sits an experimental restaurant featuring local produce, some from the project’s own urban farm, that doubles as a culture space.
Background
Beith, like many other small European towns, is suffering under rapid rural to urban migration. As agriculture is becoming increasingly mechanized and centralized, and heavy industries are moving abroad, people have to look elsewhere for work. The result is empty buildings left behind and a harder time for small local businesses, leading to even more migration.
The destruction of the town’s historical city centre to make way for a heavily trafficked road running through its main shopping street did not help either, although that was the intention.
Beith, like many other small European towns, is suffering under rapid rural to urban migration. As agriculture is becoming increasingly mechanized and centralized, and heavy industries are moving abroad, people have to look elsewhere for work. The result is empty buildings left behind and a harder time for small local businesses, leading to even more migration.
The destruction of the town’s historical city centre to make way for a heavily trafficked road running through its main shopping street did not help either, although that was the intention.
Pages taken from Bachelor’s Portfolio
Type of project:
Cohousing, restaurant, small town revival, bachelor project
Year completed: 2017
Location:
Ruin of abandoned building on the corner of Reform St. and New St., Beith, Scotland
Cohousing, restaurant, small town revival, bachelor project
Year completed: 2017
Location:
Ruin of abandoned building on the corner of Reform St. and New St., Beith, Scotland