Barr Construction
A Division of Barr Limited
Whitelee Visitors Centre
Location: Whitelee Windfarm, Queenseat Hill, Eaglesham
Project Category: Education
Project Start: August 2008
Project End: September 2009
Project Images
Awards & Recognition:
Whitelee Wind Farm Visitors Center - Annual Considerate Constructors Scheme Award
BREEAM Certification - Whitelee Windfarm Visitors Center
Key Features: Wind Turbines, Borehole abstraction, Rainwater harvesting, Air-source heat pumps, anaerobic sewage treatment
Located on Eaglesham Moor, East Renfrewshire, the Whitelee Visitor Centre is the first of its kind in Scotland.
The Visitor Centre will be the focal point for recreation facilities proposed on the site and will play a key role in a new Whitelee Access project. As part of the Windfarm project construction of 82km of roads and tracks have been built, which on completion in September, will be open to the public for a range of activities including walking, cycling and horse riding. Visitors will be able to enjoy views stretching all the way to the west highlands and observe the wildlife, including Merlin and Black Grouse, residing in the 25.5km² of habitat management area.
A ranger service is also being established to assist visitors new to the facilities and promote a greater use of the area.
For the Visitors Centre a flexible design was called for, accessible to all visitors, and demonstrating renewable energy concepts, in particular for leisure use. The use of sustainable materials and ambient energy for light and heat are essential components, while disruption to local habitats has been minimised.
The outline project design was developed by Scottish Power Renewables and handed over to Barr to develop the design from stage D under a Design and Build contract.
A large spine wall, faced in natural stone reclaimed from the site, is the dominant feature of the building, running through the centre and projecting externally at both ends to form landscaped enclosures. A main internal circulation ‘street’ reinforces this strong linear axis. Openings in the spine wall give access off this central ‘street’ to a cafe and shop area. The café has panoramic views over the wind farm and is provided with a south-facing terrace area externally. On the north edge to the ‘street’ is a timber-clad wall, curved to enable the existing profile of the landscape to flow through the building.
Behind this curved wall is an interactive exhibition explaining methods of renewable power generation, the local environment, and the construction of the wind farm itself. A circular education room is centrally positioned to form the ‘hub’ of the building and dominate its central core. Its form rises up through the roof, marking this element as an important function and nodal point.
A glass roof to the ‘street’ allows natural lighting into the heart of the building, with photovoltaic panels incorporated into the glass panels, which will provide both solar generated power and act as solar shading. Under floor heating is via LTHW supplied by heat pumps. Sewage disposal is via an aerobic treatment plant with reed bed finishing. Large sections of the building are naturally ventilated and rainwater is harvested and stored in large underground tanks to supply water to toilets.
External walls are a combination of steel and timber cladding, with patinated copper roofing to the north elevation. A reclaimed natural slate roof is installed over the cafe/shop area on the south side.
Scottish Power Renewables were keen to demonstrate the environmental credentials of this project. BREEAM was chosen as the measurement and reporting vehicle and from the outset the clients requirements were for a Very Good rating. This target rating was defended throughout the design and build phases and a certificate was issued confirming compliance with these requirements.
