Westray Heritage Centre

Orkney Isles, completed 2008

As an annex to an existing Heritage Centre, we created a series of rooms with different spatial moods. The new entrance room is finished in timber to offer immediate warmth upon entering. A main exhibition hall maximises hanging space by bringing in light with two oversized skylights, which focus views on the spectacular skies of northern Scotland. A small video room opens views back to the sea, and an Archive room focuses views upon neighbouring fields when seated at research desks. The construction system draws from typical farm sheds on the islands, using a steel portal frame.

Renewable source heating is achieved through a ground source heat pump serving an underfloor radiant heating system.

We maintain ongoing collaborations with the clients, the Westray Heritage Trust, serving on the exhibition committee and assisting with annual exhibition layouts.

Photo: flagstone structure, Orkney.