Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects have now lodged their proposals for an artists retreat at Dunderave Castle, Argyll for planning approval. Commissioned by the owner of Dunderave Castle, the new building is situated across the main road to Inverary and incorporates residential accommodation and studio space for artists to pursue their work and gallery space to exhibit.

"It's a magnificent setting" says Gordon Murray " The 16th century castle is on the shores of Loch Fyne and we are proposing a new structure which builds onto the existing ruins of a woodman's cottage. It will be an unequivocally modern structure which takes full advantage of it's setting. We've raised the main accommodation and studio space, so that the artists inside can be inspired by the castle and see over the trees to the loch and beyond to Ben Lomond to the south"

"The accommodation on the first floor" adds Alan Dunlop "is arranged within an almost impossibly slim cantilevered structure which appears to hover above the existing rocky outcrop . With the forest as a backdrop, it will look magnificent".

The artists retreat will be built using the stone salvaged from the remains on the woodman's cottage. With the cantilevered structure finished in copper, with oak framed glazed screens.

"The composition of the building is important" says Gordon Murray .........." it should not impinge on the setting of the castle nor have a significant visual impact from the road, instead it should be revealed as the visitor approaches on foot" Work is expected to start in the Summer of 2005 and be completed in the Spring of 2006.