The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience

by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

Client Edrington

Awards RIAS Award 2019 and RIBA Award for Scotland 2019

This project was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2019

The rolling roofscape of this building echoes the form of the surrounding hills and serves to successfully conceal an exceptionally well resolved and ingenious fusion of architecture, whisky technology and impactful interior settings displaying the heritage of the Macallan brand.

A processional landscaped walkway symbolically and physically connects the 18th century laird’s house at the heart of the estate with the new visitor centre. The internal journey continues under a warmly lit majestic double curvature timber gridshell roof. The combination of atmospheric lighting with the architectural form and the intriguing arrangement of stills and exhibits creates a sense of drama throughout this hugely impressive building. Views through the extensive fully glazed section of the main elevation framed between the floor and the curving eaves provide a constant link between the new building and the enchanting scenery of the Spey river, the source of water that brought the distillery to the site.

Location Moray

Contract Value £140m

Internal Area 20,872 m2

Contractor Robertson Construction Group

Quantity Surveyor Equals Consultancy

Structural Engineer Arup

M&E Engineer Arup

Project Manager Equals Consultancy