Caithness CWS - Front Page Bulletins - November 2004

2 November 04
GIBSON CALLS FOR NEW APPROACH TO HOUSING
SNP MSP For the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson has lodged a parliamentary motion calling for more eco-friendly homes and businesses to be built throughout Scotland.

Lotte Glob House - Loch Eriboll

His motion highlights the success of Danish artist Lotte Globes environmentally-friendly house (situated on the shore of Loch Eriboll Sutherland) that made the final shortlist of last weeks Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland competition for Scotland's best building.

Although it didn't win the main prize it did come out on top in the public on-line poll and Mr Gibson says that the house, made of larch post and beam with oak external cladding, could dramatically alter the fortunes of the timber industry whilst radically shape the future of Scotland's built environment....

"It is clear that the house commands great respect not only from architects in Scotland but also from it's people. It shows the popularity of such buildings and means that they could go mainstream not only benefiting the environment but potentially the local economy."

He continued.... "Given the imminent harvest of Scottish forests it is a prime opportunity to start promoting the construction of wooden eco-friendly buildings. Using local timber for housing and businesses as well as exploiting the bio-mass potential that exists could turn our forests into profit making land benefiting the both the local and national community and economy."