Budding architects from Inverness College have been hailed for designing a new waiting area for visitors to one of the country’s most iconic beauty spots.
Cruise operator Loch Ness by Jacobite teamed up with architectural technology degree students to design a striking new shelter for Nessie-hunting passengers at its Clansman Harbour.
Nineteen students developed detailed designs and submitted them for judging by Jacobite’s managing director, Freda Newton, and designer Steven Martin, as part of a specially commissioned third year project.
The panel selected 37-year-old Viktoria Szilvas, from the Bught area of Inverness, as the overall winner.
Jacob Simpson, 21, from Crown in the city, and Andrew Ashburn from Munlochy, received special commendations.
Ms Szilvas’ design took a simple contemporary form which included charred larch, feature openings and a modern take on elevated seating.
As winner, she will also receive the MAKAR award, which will see her gain work experience with the design firm as she takes her concept through the planning and technical phases to reality.
By May next year, the shelter she designed will be in place at the iconic Loch-side location, giving her a physical example of her work prior to graduation.
Ms Szilvas said: “Working on a live project was really inspiring.
“My aim was to produce a design that was sustainable and contemporary and provided easy and comfortable access for all users. I also wanted it to be easy to build using locally sourced materials.”
Ms Newton said: “It was really difficult to pick an overall winner, but Viktoria’s design provided the perfect balance of simplicity, aesthetic and feasibility we were looking for.
“I’d like to thank Inverness College UHI and the architectural technology students for their hard work on this project, and I look forward to working with Viktoria and the team to make her design a reality.”
