Ecolodge Design — Kipnis Architecture + Planning

‘2025 Green Good Design International Design Award’

Eco Lodge Design | Glen Finglas, Scotland

The Ecolodge at Glen Finglas is an all electric, Net Zero retreat and consists of five individual lodges and a common building. The individual lodges are positioned on the site to provide views of the Loch and surrounding landscape, and to provide privacy for each unit. On site food will be prepared at the common building by a chef. The kitchen will use vegetables, fruit and herbs grown on site as well as from neighboring farms, eggs from the on site chickens and honey from the bee hives. Local food production cultivates equitable access to healthy, sustainably grown food and raises awareness around health and nutrition.

The lodges are rectangular in form and are oriented east /west to take advantage of passive solar energy. The sleeping porch on the west end provides a buffer from the western sun, as well as the wind. The frequently used rooms are located along the south facing side, which will provide solar warmth in the winter, as well as provide light during the day to reduce electricity demand for lighting. The bedrooms are placed on the east wing and as guests awake and exit their rooms they will be greeted with the morning light from the hallway. The hallway will provide the energy from the morning light, however also provide a buffer to those whom would like to sleep in. The southern windows in the living area and porch are protected from the harsher summer sun with an architectural sun shade/light shelve. This light shelf, located along the south facade, will shade the interior during the summer and will also bounce light all year long deep into the space, reflected up onto the ceiling.

The lodges all have solar panels connected to a battery backup system within each lodge to provide the power they need. The main lodge contains a larger array of batteries that can dispatch power as needed to each building.

A wide range of sustainable, resilient, wellness and equitable community aspects are integrated holistically into this project.