Architecture awards hat-trick for Forres practice

A FORRES-based architectural practice added a trio of accolades to its collection following the Inverness Architectural Association (IAA) Design Awards, including the prize for best project overall.

The event attracts entries from across the Highlands and Islands, covered by the IAA, the northernmost chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

LDN Architects, based at 29 St Leonard’s Road, was recognised for two projects: a new-build home Carra at Port Henderson by Badachro, which won the award for best use of timber; and its transformation of a former Cold War nuclear command bunker into the award-winning Gairloch Museum – the

£2.4 million project won the award for best new life for an existing building, then went on to win the overall best project award.

LDN partner Peter McIlhenny confirmed the firm’s private clients at Carra, Port Henderson wanted to make the most of their site’s uninterrupted views to the Hebrides.

He said: “Broad runs of glazing and carefully set and proportioned roof lights take maximum advantage of daylighting, with flying oak linings providing a dynamic set of gnomonic shadow-casts to the interiors. The living space is set apart through being approached across a minutely detailed bridge which is reflected and repeated to the outside, giving access to a benched and glazed viewing tower.”

Further LDN projects, The Caledonian Canal Centre in Fort Augustus and Wasps Artists’ Studios in the former Inverness Royal Academy building, were also shortlisted alongside Gairloch Museum for both the new life and placemaking awards.

The judging panel named Gairloch Museum the most impressive of all of the projects entered for this year’s awards.

They said: “The vision to transform a bomb blast war room from a roads depot to a contemporary award winning Scottish museum requires great imagination and ambition. The existing building is preserved and enhanced with new openings to let light in, allowing appreciation of the volumes, walls and local history. All strands of this project from budget to flooring have been drawn together to produce a local gem.”

Mr McIlhenny said: “Construction required care and ingenuity to achieve the user needs and environmental conditions demanded by the collections. The outcome delivers with utility and drama.”

The museum was recently named one of two Scottish winners in the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year Awards, which came with £40,000 prize money,

IAA president Karen Anderson was also impressed by the transformation of what was previously an eyesore.

“The interior is an attractive and exciting backdrop for the collection,” she said.

“It’s like taking a slightly forgotten, but important, part of our history that no-one knew quite what to do with and finding a new use for it that celebrates itself and its history, while becoming an important part of the community.”

LDN’s An Carra design, and its timber ceiling in particular, also showcased the practice’s skills.

Ms Anderson said: “It not only filters the light, but is actually aesthetically beautiful.”

LDN have recently completed an extension to the rear of St Margaret’s Church, as well as an intervention to the interior of St Laurence Church.

They have also been appointed to lead design on Forres Town Hall and the Tolbooth.