Edinburgh Napier University

An Edinburgh Napier Interior and Spatial Design student is harnessing the power of the sea to provide an insight into what a rehabilitation centre for ex-offenders could look like in East Lothian.

Fourth year Ethan Guthrie has unveiled his project “TimberTide” this week at the University’s annual Degree Show within its School of Arts and Creative Industries at Merchiston campus.

Located at the historic site of Belhaven Brewery in Dunbar, Ethan’s conceptual design shows how the building could be transformed into a rehabilitation centre for former prisoners. 

With the site’s location near the sea and his own love for the sport in mind, the facility would focus specifically on provision for surf therapy, as well as providing areas to teach valuable crafting skills through the construction of wooden surfboards.

Wood is a key theme throughout Ethan’s design and features glulam timber bent into shape to create a stunning arched roof inside the building. Wooden flooring is also used throughout.

Cast concrete walls and steps provide a striking contrast to the use of wood, and act as a reminder of the prison life that users will have recently left behind.

TimberTide also follows a concept of fluidity, encouraging visitors to mindfully move through the facility as they experience freedom for the first time after their prison sentence.

For Ethan, the journey to finishing his major project has been tough but rewarding.

He said: “I was in my second year at Edinburgh Napier and my friend Amy told me about the surf club. I gave it a go and I loved it. When it came to my major project, I was encouraged to do something that I had a personal connection to. I knew the University is involved with the creation of the new surfing resort at Ratho so I decided to go down the surf therapy route and look at conceptually designing something that could harness the power of surf therapy into helping ex-offenders rehabilitate back into outside life.

“As a designer, I’ve always been focused on not just creating things that look nice. I want to create things with purpose so there’s a lot of meaning behind my design. From the subtle reminders of prison life to the fluid freedom of open spaces, I’ve hopefully shown the potential that something like TimberTide could bring to society if it was created.

“It’s been a tough year. We’ve had three projects over the final year, and it’s been a lot of work to get to this stage but I’m so excited to see my project finally on the table for our Degree Show – but equally terrified that others will be able to see it too!

“Now my time at University is coming to an end, my main focus is definitely on some sort of design job. I’m interested in landscape architecture and urban design and would love to pursue a career in either of these areas.”

Ethan’s projects and others from Edinburgh Napier’s Interior and Spatial Design programme are on display as part of its annual Degree Show at Merchiston campus from 24-30 May.