Awards entries show the exemplary standard of Highland architecture
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Buildings in Inverness, Nairn and Wester Ross which have gained a new lease of life have now gained design accolades in the Inverness Architectural Association Awards.
An Talla, the former village hall at Dochgarroch which has been converted into a visitor centre, shop and diner by cruise company Loch Ness by Jacobite collected the place making award for new or renovated buildings which create a sense of place.
A similar transformation from an unloved building to a busy local attraction was undergone by Gairloch Museum, which has been transformed from a Cold War nuclear control bunker into an award winning museum. In addition to winning the award for best new life for an existing building, the IAA judges also named it best project overall at the online awards event hosted by broadcaster and writer Nicky Marr.
More modestly, a new extension at a home on Albert Street in Nairn won the best smaller project award.
The best new building award went to Mill Studio in Portree, designed by Rural Design, while the best use of timber award went to another new build, new home Carra at Badachro, giving Forres practice LDN Architects, who were also behind Gairloch Museum's re-design, a tally of three awards on the night.
IAA vice-president Catriona Hill, herself an award-winning architect, was impressed by the entrants for this year's awards, which attracted entries from throughout the Highlands and Islands, the area covered by the IAA, the local chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland.
“The standard of entries has been higher than ever before and there is no doubt that the quality of architecture in the Highlands and Islands is exemplary,” she said.
An Talla, which was designed by Inverness practice Colin Armstrong Architects, was described by the judges as a worthy local destination.
Explaining why they had decided to present it with the best placemaking award, they wrote: "An Talla won the category for best placemaking because the judges were impressed with the beautiful public space elegantly integrated in to the project. The development of the village hall into a landmark hub has been carried out with great skill, creativity and quality.
"The standard central courtyard space remains a century old delight, but the architects are recognised for deciding and arranging the traditional surrounding forms and materials – affording shelter and sunshine for all."
The winning smaller project at Albert Street in Nairn was described as a simple and elegant gable and rear extension which has transformed the semi-detached house and enabled the living area to be opened up to the garden.
Clients Stephen and Karen Keenan also praised the work of architect Printie-James Architecture, commenting: "The new areas in the house are as we wanted and we are very happy with how it has turned out. We can’t imagine life without it."
IAA president Karen Anderson said the work had been transformational and had proved its worth during lockdown.
“The extension allows what is really a fairly straightforward house to become exciting,” she said.
“The clients felt they had no real connection with the garden, and by dint of the imagination of the architect, they now feel a fantastic connection. During lockdown it brought sun and light into the space. It was a fantastic way to take an ordinary house and make it very special.”
She also praised the overall winner, Gairloch Museum, as a worthy recipient of the award.
"The interior of the building is really very exciting and attractive 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 because it was made of mass-concrete, and find a new use that actually celebrates itself and its history and at the same time becomes a really important part of the community.”
