A Speyside distillery has won a coveted architectural award.
The Macallan distillery and visitor experience in Aberlour took the 2019 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award tonight, praised by judges as “‘the undisputed winner, an outstanding addition to our built environment”.
The distillery and visitor experience was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners with a brief to deliver a unique home and brand at their historic site.
The practice received a gold medal and £10,000 prize.
The design reflects the whisky production processes while remaining sensitive to the stunning Speyside countryside.
This year’s judges were Professor Sadie Morgan, from dRMM; Henry McKeown, director of JM Architects and Professor Mona Siddiqui of Edinburgh University’s School of Divinity.
They praised the attention to detail, saying: “The consistency and control of aesthetic decisions in this building is incredibly impressive.
“The technology of how the architecture is made, is complimented by the theatrical arrangement, and format of the locally crafted copper whisky stills, mash tanks and the labyrinth of pipework that connects them and makes them work.
“This is a harmonious, confident, highly accomplished work at every level.
“The same level of care and attention to detail and painstaking co-ordination was also evident in the mechanical and electrical design of this vast machine, everything has been thought through and built expertly.”
The award was presented at a ceremony at a previous Doolan winning building, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, by the minister for communities and local government Aileen Campbell, and Margaret Doolan, mother of the late Andrew Doolan whose family, along with the Scottish Government, fund the award.
Mrs Campbell said: “We will continue to support the architecture and design sector so that Scotland’s buildings and places enrich our lives, lessen our environmental impact and contribute to our cultural and national identity.”
The Black House in Skye by Dualchas Architects was the only other north entry on the shortlist, joining five other entries including the V&A Dundee.
Others on the shortlist included Collective on Calton Hill, Edinburgh by Malcolm Fraser Architects; Mackintosh at the Willow, Glasgow by Simpson & Brown; Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service at The Jack Copland Centre, Edinburgh by Reiach and Hall Architects; and Tollcross Housing Association Offices, Glasgow by Elder and Cannon Architects.