MEDITATION MINE

Pulling from the aesthetics of the copper mines once present on site, structures on the site manifest as a series of wooden frames. These frames mark the threshold between rolling moors and tranquil interiors; the nooks created by the studs serve as spaces for rest and contemplation, windows to the ancient landscape, and displays for relics of a centuries-old history. The studs become mullions for a glass enclosure between the jagged walls of ruins, encapsulating a space to serve as a museum for visitors to experience the rich history of Allihies under the shadow of a towering chimney. Corten steel roofs invite visitors to reflect on the industrial yet richly overgrown nature of the site and harken back to the arduous search for copper that brought Allihies its renowned status. The interventions, with their elevated wooden decks, rest gently on the land, creating inviting outdoor spaces that maintain the respect that the land demands. Only a winding path of embedded corten steel steps guides visitors through the green moors and seaside cliffs, encouraging exploration of the true gem of Allihies — the land itself.