Design Strategy
The area of Nigg Bay is dominated by agricultural fields since the 16th century, the heavy grazing affecting the water retention of the surrounding area. The initial idea is to transform agricultural fields along the water edge back to a more natural grassland and saltmarshes habitat, creating a shelterbelt along the coastline to protect the landscape behind, using the boardwalk as a coastal connection to create a coastal network.
The watercourse is directed by the surrounding farmland. The initial idea is to expand and rejuvenate the watercourse and recreate a riparian habitat along the river. The expansion of the river can increase the ability of water retention and decrease the impact of sea level rising and flooding issue of surrounding farmland.
The Nigg Bay area has a unique intertidal habitat with a large area of sand, mudflat and saltmarsh habitat, using the elevated boardwalk as the coastal connection and let the user experience the intertidal habitat, the hub along the walk can use as a shelter, birdwatching and also for exhibition and education use to promote the importance of mudflat and saltmarsh habitat.
This is the edge of the Nigg Bay area and also the edge of the Firth, as it sits next to the Nigg Energy Park, this area can be an education hub for the renewable energy and the construction of wind farm, it also uses as a history center to showcase the Firth as a former oil extraction hub. The Nigg Pier also use as the edge of the Cromarty Firth network and connect to the other side of the Firth - Cromarty.