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Vertiginous Inverewe eyrie invites visitors

Vertiginous Inverewe eyrie invites visitors

July 12 2018

The National Trust for Scotland has commissioned Denizen Works to build a timber observation tower within Inverewe Garden, Wester Ross, to improve the visitor experience for those not suffering from vertigo.

Combining a vertical gallery and bird hide the elevated space has been modelled on a woodpecker’s nest or a sliced tree trunk to signpost the outer reaches of the botanical gardens and connecting to existing footpaths by a dramatic bridge.

Upon entering the tower visitors will climb up from a base gallery through different levels of commissioned artworks, each designed to impart a different ‘spatial experience’. Those who make it all the way to the top will be rewarded with a lofty bird hide affording views out above the tree canopy.

Framed in dark, stained vertical larch cladding and smooth pine tar above a base of hammered concrete the ‘totemic presence’ of the tower will signpost a wider rejuvenation of on-site retail and dining facilities in addition to a scattering of lower key sculptural interventions throughout.

A planning application has already been presented to Highland Council in anticipation of a start on-site being made in the autumn, for completion by the following spring.

Four distinct spaces will be housed behined the larch walls of the vertical gallery

Timber sheating board will be left exposed internally to provide a warm counterpoint to the exterior

13 Comments

#1 Posted by Darren on 12 Jul 2018 at 11:54 AM

Whilst the building definitely looks interesting. I can't help feeling an opportunity has been missed to create something really outstanding here, a landmark building for the west coast. It's a start I guess

#2 Posted by Mary Hill on 12 Jul 2018 at 11:59 AM

This looks tremendous. Imaginative and exciting. Well done Denizen Works.

#3 Posted by boaby wan on 12 Jul 2018 at 12:31 PM

The design looks interesting, if never deliverable - but do NTS just speak to their london friends when commissioning work?
although after the hill house competition, maybe it's best they don't waste everyones time

#4 Posted by Dave on 12 Jul 2018 at 13:31 PM

@#3 - totally agree - after the way we and many other practices were treated in that competition, which was a massive waste of time and resources for what felt like a pre-determined conclusion, I for one one will be avoiding any future NTS sponsored competitions

#5 Posted by Donnie on 12 Jul 2018 at 14:32 PM

It sits lightly on the landscape but the building itself looks a bit top heavy to me... and has a kind of uncomfortable randomness. A pitched roof might be an improvement. If its supposed to be a bird hide, I wonder if there are alternative exterior materials which would work better. There was a an interesting house at the Housing expo in Inverness which was clad in a black rubber material and metal webbing to allow ivy to grow up it.

#6 Posted by Walt Disney on 12 Jul 2018 at 15:16 PM

Nah mate. Looks like a killer robot from a Christopher Nolan movie. Surely sometimes its best to leave the ego at home and let the context do the talking?

Also, why write "signpost a wider rejuvenation of on-site retail and dining facilities" when you mean "there will be a shop and a cafe"?

#7 Posted by Donnie on 12 Jul 2018 at 15:54 PM

#6 Haha, so true... that's total pretentious *&^&.

#8 Posted by Tom on 13 Jul 2018 at 12:57 PM

Visitor attraction with no disabled access - really in 2018?

#9 Posted by Dave on 13 Jul 2018 at 17:52 PM

@#8 - to be fair (going by site plan and my sketchy knowledge of the site having visited many years ago), the area where the viewpoint is located is on a steeply sided hill and the only way to get to it is via steps anyway. At some point you have to be realistic about what can actually be achieved given site constraints - there are many other examples of viewpoints in Scotland where it is simply not possible to have disabled access due to topology.

#10 Posted by Highest level of special on 16 Jul 2018 at 11:16 AM

I really like the look of this. Theres some real skill at work here and RE #6, its not too much for me at all. I think the landscape can take this in its stride. The only worry is the capacity to achieve it really, even by the architects. The visuals are excellent, but that section is an absolutely bogin' drawing, which does make you wonder.