Lagg Distillery and Visitor Centre

Overview

Situated on the South Coast of the island of Arran, we recently designed a new distillery, visitor centre and bonded warehousing with the intention of serving as a new stand-alone brand for our client, the Isle of Arran Distillers.

The proposed site had the benefit of a stunningly atmospheric backdrop, featuring Ailsa Craig and the Kintyre Peninsula. The clients’ aspiration was to harness these views and showcase the beautiful copper stills, creating a building which people could associate with the island.

Location

Isle of Arran

Client

Isle of Arran Distillery

Budget

TBC

Completion

June 2019

Our client asked us to create a sustainable and contemporary design that would become an iconic landmark on the island whilst maintaining the identity of a traditional whisky distillery.

Public consultation formed an integral part of the planning and design process for the new distillery. Positive feedback was received that not only would the building hope to contribute largely to the tourism industry on the island, but it would also offer job opportunities for the local community.

We took a multi-faceted approach to this brief, making sure the end result was a place where visitors were able to connect with the surrounding rural environment and celebrate its unique geographical setting.

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Materials and finishes

The building form drew inspiration from the landscape on the Isle of Arran, specifically celebrating the form of Glen Rosa. We brought this inspiration to life by way of a green sedum roof, creating a strong connection to the landscape. On approach, this feature works in harmony with the landscape and surrounding topography.

At the clients’ request and true to our ethos, this design aimed to use locally sourced and natural materials where possible. We selected an organic material palette, including Scottish Larch cladding and Scottish Sandstone.

The single folded roof, covered with a sedum blanket, contains a mix of plants that change colour with the seasons. With the environment at the forefront of this project, we included a heat recovery system to form the distillation process. We also designed a holistic ecological treatment system that would make use of the wetland plants and a willow coppice.

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Outcome

Appearing to break out of the very ground of the site itself, our final concept proposal celebrates the form of the famous silhouette of Glen Rosa, a feature of the Isle of Arran seen from the Ayrshire coastline.

The project was completed in June 2019 and has attracted various award nominations. It continues to attract interest from visitors travelling across the globe and is fast becoming one of the best-known buildings on the Isle of Arran, much to our clients’ delight.

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Project team

Steven Denham

Founding and Managing Director

Chris Youd

Architect Director

Project collaborators

BHC

Contractor


SCENEngineering

Fit Out Contractor


Forsyths

Distillery Specialists


Woolgar Hunter

Structural and Civil


Mabbett

M&E Engineer


Mabbett

Energy

Quantum Solutions

Cost Consultant


TGP & LDA

Landscape


Bright

Interiors and Experience Design


CDM Scotland

Principle Designer


David Barbour

Photography

Denham Youd have excellent attention to detail and are always responsive and willing to offer constructive advice in the best interests of the client.

Euan Mitchell

Managing Director, Isle of Arran Distillers

Recognition

Highly Commended

The Planning Awards 2017


Finalist

Architecture Tomorrow 2016


Finalist

Scottish Design Awards 2020

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