Dualchas Building Design

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Isle of Jura Development Trust - Antlers Project

Dualchas were invited to enter a limited competition to design a visitors centre on the Isle of Jura. We proposed to build a centre that was modern, light and simple in form yet of a scale and proportion that compliments the site, the surrounding buildings and the brief without resorting to a pastiche of a Highland cottage.

The site combines urban issues - overlooking, physical constraints - with problems associated with building on remote islands – delivery costs, the availability of materials and labour. Our proposal has a narrow span building with two wings - creating a sheltered courtyard/exhibition space - set into the hillside, allowing for accessibility on two levels. The low lying roof allows the views from the houses behind to be maintained.

The building is steel frame clad in oak. The roof is lead coated steel with standing seams and includes a long rooflight over the stairs. The ground floor has a 3m ceiling height and houses the interpretation centre, the reception, gift shop, toilets, storage, with an adjoining multi-use space which can be sub-divided. The stair along the back of the building is top lit and relaxed in pace allowing for further display at every landing.

Upstairs the main space is a café lit from large glazing panels to the south and east and from a strip of clerestory glazing around the perimeter. It leads out onto a south-east facing terrace that overlooks the courtyard. The kitchen has a separate entrance and storage facility. Servicing the café can be either by waiting staff or directly over the open counter. From the café there are unobstructed views over the Village Hall to Small Isles Bay.