FROM AN OIL-CENTRED TOWN THAT IS DISCONNECTED TO THE SITE
Even though the site Seabank Tank Farm is not longer used and is very disconnected to the town, Invergordon still has a strong connection to oil. There is a big oil rig repair facility in the port of Invergordon. In addition, when the oil prices are low, many rigs are anchored just outside Invergordon in the Cromarty Firth. In conclusion, jobs related to oil add to the local economy.
TO AN INSPIRING ART CENTRE
A RECORD HIGH 200 000 VISITORS ARE SCHEDULED TO DISEMBARK IN INVERGORDON, IN 2022
I want to participate in shifting the town’s focus on fossil fuels and instead create a sustainable destination site that can continue to prosper in the future. By transforming the Seabank Tank Farm Site to an inspiring art centre with the theme of sustainable energy and time, there is a link to the site’s and Invergordon’s connection to oil. In addition, Invergordon has a unique potential - to attract visitors from the cruise ships that embark at Invergordon’ every year. Today, coaches are waiting for the passengers at the harbour, which means the local economy miss out on huge potential income.
& A THRIVING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY
I want the site to not only become a place for visitors, but an important part of the local community. I want it to be a place to be proud of, a place for gathering and somewhere the local history is cherished and continue to lives on.
KEY OBJECTIVES
Tapping into the potential of creating a vibrant destination site
EXPOSURE
The first design principle ‘Exposure’ relates to creating interesting spatial compositions that work with contrasts - light/dark, open/enclosed and more. For example, the transition from being in a confined and dark tank to moving into a light and vast landscape, or walking through a woodland, that later transitions into an open meadow. The term ‘Exposure’ also refers to working with height differences in the landscape, from being exposed on top of a high earth bund to later walk in a more intimate valley.
VOLUME
RHYTHM
The third and final design principle is ‘Rhythm’ - is based on the various rhythms found at the site - for example, the static rhythm of the tanks, as well as the flowing movement of the unkept grassland at the site. In the design, I’ve used this as a base to create various rhythms, through planting, water flow and more, that come together at the site.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
All three design principles are derived from innate qualities found at the existing site today
The second principle ‘Volume’ is based on the most eye-catching and defining elements at the site - the former military oil storage tanks and the land forms. By exploring volumes in different materials and shapes - from trees in larger groups as well as transforming the uniform tanks into a variety of volumes, intriguing and fascinating spatial compositions and experiences are possible. These three design principles - ‘exposure’, ‘volume’, and ‘rhythm’ are derived
ambition to create a cohesive yet dynamic site design. Additionally, I have explored these themes for creating an ambiance and setting a tone in my project, that are aligned in my vision of the site’s future as a destination site. Finally, these are expressed in both existing and additional elements.
ORGANIC
INORGANIC CONTAMINATION
The pipeline system above ground is removed (and thereby most of the asbestos). A few of the pipelines are cleaned, to be up-cycled as an integrated part of the new site design. The bunds (mix of clean and contaminated soil) that are not incorporated in the final design are relocated to the isolation layer as
The organic contamination is relatively immobile and the majority is found within 60 cm of depth. Therefore, the top layer of the ground (60 cm) within the bunds and, at some additional locations, is excavated and placed in the isolation layer. In some places, where the tank floor will be removed, the top layer of the ground will be excavated as well.
The former lawn already work as a plant stabilisation matreducing the migration of inorganic contaminants. To prevent further erosion of soil with lead- and zinc particles, the mat is optimised by replacing the scrubland (apart from existing grass) with a deep-rooted fescue lawn mix to thicken it.
Hot spots of very high concentrations of contaminations are identified (far down in the ground), removed and disposed to the isolation layer in the moats..
As a preventable remediation method, if contaminated soil below tanks, or if any hotspots have not been found and would later migrate, or if there would be any contaminated groundwater plumes, groundwater migration tree stands are incorporated in the final site design.
The contaminated soil, in the isolation layer in the moats are covered by a geotextile membrane. Imported clean sub- and top soil are added above in accordance to the new topography. The areas within the bunds (and in some additional locations) are filled with imported clean soil as well.
The preventable methods impede groundwater plumes to reach the Cromarty Firth, which is a site of ecological importance. Tree species with deep tap roots and high evapotranspiration rates are used in the tree stands. The latter helps pulling the groundwater in the direction of the planting.
OVERVIEW OF THE NEW SITE DESIGN
Centaurea cyanus Cornflower • Centaurea scabiosa Greater knapweed
• Echium vulgare Vipers bugloss • Echinacea purpurea Coneflower
• Eryngium planum Blue eryngo • Geranium sanguineum Bloody cranesbill • Prunella vulgaris Selfheal • Rumex acetosella Sheep’s sorrel
• Thymus polytrichus Wild thyme • Dianthus deltoides Maiden pink
• Knautia arvensis Field scabious • Linum perenne Perennial flax • Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’ Aster ‘Mönch’ • Festuca ovina Sheep’s fescue • Phleum bertolonii Smaller cat’s tail • Agrostis capillaris Common Bent • Festuca rubra Red fescue • Cynosurus cristatus Crested dog’s tail
& PURPLE
Cirsium palustre Marsh thistle • Geranium pratense Meadow crane’sbill • Succisa pratensis Devil’s-bit scabious • Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
• Silene flos-cuculi Ragged robin • Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife
• Sanguisorba officinalis Great burnet • Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed • Vicia cracca Tufted vetch • Agrostis capillaris Common bent • Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtail • Carex ovalis Oval Sedge
• Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair grass • Festuca rubra Red fescue • Phalaris arundinacea Reed canary grass • Poa pratensis Smooth-stalked meadow grass
Cephalaria gigantea Giant scabious • Daucus carota Wild Carrot • Leucanthemum x superbum ‘T. E. Killin’ Shasta Daisy • Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain • Silene latifolia White campion • Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion • Festuca ovina Sheep’s fescue • Phleum bertolonii Smaller cat’s tail • Agrostis capillaris Common Bent • Festuca rubra Red fescue • Cynosurus cristatus Crested dog’s tail
ptarmica Sneezewort • Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica • Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet • Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy • Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain • Agrostis capillaris Common bent • Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtail • Carex ovalis Oval Sedge • Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair grass • Festuca rubra Red fescue • Phalaris arundinacea Reed canary grass • Poa pratensis Smooth-stalked meadow grass
DRY MEADOW MIX - BLUE & PURPLE
DRY MEADOW MIX - WHITE
WET MEADOW MIX - BLUE
Achillea
WET MEADOW MIX - WHITE
Allium ursinum Wild garlic • Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s nightshade
Conopodium majus Pignut • Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet • Fragaria vesca Wild strawberry • Primula vulgaris Primrose • Teucrium scorodinia
WOODLAND
WOODLAND EDGE MIX - WHITE, BLUE & PURPLE BLEND
WOODLAND
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PLANTS PRIMARY PLANTS
1. Iris domestica 100
2. Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea ‘Edith Dudszus’ 70
3. Phlomoides tuberosa 120
5. Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cappuccino’ 50
4. Sanguisorba officinalis 150
6. Stipa tenuissima 100
7. Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’ 120
HSE SML S E AL A W
1. Iris chrysographes ‘Around midnight’ 60
2. Papaver orientale ‘Flamingo’ 80
3. Papaver orientale ‘Harvest Moon’ 80
4. Echinacea pallida ‘Hula Dancer’ 80
5. Eryngium giganteum ‘Silver Ghost’ 60
6. Filipendula ulmeria 100
7. Helenium ‘Loysder Wieck’ 100
8. Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firedance’ 90
9. Stipa tenuissima 100
10. Sporobolus heterolepis 80
1. Papaver orientale ‘Effendi’80
2. Papaver orientale ‘Matador’ 80
3. Chrysopogon gryllus 180
4. Eryngium yuccifolium 100
5. Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ 160
6. Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’100
7. Iris domestica 100
8. Lysimachia ephemerum 100
9. Stipa tenuissima 100
1. Iris chrysographes ‘Around midnight’ 60
2. Calamagrostis brachytricha 120
3. Iris domestica 100
4. Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ 100
5. Sanguisorba officinalis 150
6. Thalictrum delavayi ‘Album’ 120
7. Eryngium yuccifolium 100
8. Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ 100
9. Sporobolus heterolepis 80
1. Allium atropurpureum 60
2. Iris chrysographes ‘Around Midnight’ 60
3. Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’ 180
4. Gillenia trifoliata 100
5. Helenium ‘Kupferszwerg’ 120
6. Iris domestica 100
7. Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Transparent’ 220
8. Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ 120
The promenade, the walkway that connects the majority of the tanks at the site, can be seen as the main axis of the site. This area is created to accommodate a flow of people - from larger visiting groups to the lone flâneuse that is discovering the site on her own. The tanks, made
by riveted steel plates, are now used as art exhibition halls, where the theme of (sustainable) energy and time are explored in different mediums. The Scottish black Caithness sandstone slabs are chosen to continue the dark theme of tanks, but with an additional texture,
whilst the water rill in corten is chosen to create a contrasting focal point, whilst picking up some of the red tones that have developed over time on some of the tanks. Behind some of the tanks, intimate pockets of spaces with seating are created for resting and reflection.
The naturalistic planting, the water flowing through the water rill and the tanks, all create different poetic rhythms along the promenade
The water rill along the promenade, is made of corten, which is shaped in three various designs to create distinctive various rhythms in the flowing water.
Upcycled fuel tanks that have been transformed into
The wood is linseed oil proofed Scots pine.
