Allan Murray Architects
Diageo Global Headquarters, South Gyle, Scotland 1999
west facade
The UDV Global Headquarters - formerly known as G1 and then Diageo - is a Bauhaus-like L-shaped building in white render with colourful interior by BDG McColl. Entry to G1's three floors is via a stair space of high quality, clad on the outside in black Zimbabwe granite with a 'Guinness head' of translucent glass at the top.
Diageo Scottish Headquarters: north facade
The G1 building plays many games with its glazing from Holl/Mondrian irregularity in the main north-west corner window to rational Bauhaus Dessau fenetre longeur along the long facades.
Diageo HQ, Edinburgh - UDV: north-west corner
The random and irregular fenestration, normally with slim black frames, and expanses of white render have become an Allan Murray trademark and are aesthetically very pleasing: what is unusual about this building though are the massive forms which push out from the frame at the corners.
Diageo - UDV Global Headquartes: north-west corner
The huge corner window facing the lochan is readable as a two meeting rooms linked vertically by external materials - patterned frames and glass - to create a thoughtful motif. The long upper gallery - a glazed extrusion along much of the West facade - visible from the by-pass is even more idiosyncratic: its puncturing of the south facade and proud termination forms a bold intervention of a kind mostly lacking in Edinburgh Park (though A3's slate wing is of that ilk) and the UK generally.
Diageo Headquarters, Edinburgh - south facade
The UDV Global Headquarters interiors by BDG McColl are focused on the north-west head or core: rooms are themed around Diageo brands so for example the Gordon's Gin room is a vivid green. There is a lot of sophisticated technology on display, notably in the oval room behind the bar. The G1 offices are more coloured than is usual but not as interesting as the spaces off the Entry and Bar.
Also by Allan Murray Architects at Edinburgh Park are the A1 & A2 buildings: Edinburgh Park Architecture.
Also by BDG McColl is Dundas House, New Town, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh : back to index
Adjacent building to Diageo Scotland HQ: G2 Building by Lee Boyd
Other Edinburgh Park buildings: JP Morgan Chase Building + Oracle Building
UDV / Diageo - Website: www.diageo.com