Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, Building, Photo, Location, Phone
Scottish Seabird Centre : Information + Images
Birdwatching Centre near Bass Rock, East Lothian, Scotland
22 Mar 2012
Scottish Seabird Centre News
National Marine Centre
The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick could be renamed under plans for a major expansion. The North Berwick centre has become a popular visitor attraction since opening 12 years ago. It could now be renamed the National Marine Centre to highlight its role in raising awareness of Scotland's marine environment and wildlife.
The expansion plans would create additional facilities for visitors, particularly school groups. More than a quarter of a million people already visit the five-star rated attraction every year. The centre's original architects, Simpson & Brown, have produced some sketch drawings of what the extension could look like.
Scottish Seabird Centre North Berwick
Ornithology Centre close to Bass Rock on Firth of Forth
Phone +44 (0)1620 890 202
Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick Harbour, East Lothian
1999 Simpson & Brown Architects
Organic style building using timber boarding and rubble walls, perched on the edge of the sea. The Scottish Seabird Centre meets the visitor with a divided prow form, of modern conception but feeling timeless, redolent of Peter Salter's work in Japan. This is the building's best facade.
As the land falls away to either side one imagines the Scottish Seabird Centre being splashed by the waves: disappointingly there is a large tarmac carpark between the SSB and the sea, a great shame. The building's fenestration is tucked under the eaves, hooded eyes looking into the strong winds that blow here. Inside there is too much plain timber for me. Also, the transom in the cafe blocked my view of Bass Rock and the Isle of May: however, in no way did it obstruct for my children's task of 'looking out for sharks'.
Scottish Seabird Centre: photograph from Simpson & Brown Architects
The interior of the Scottish Seabird Centre is centrifugally-planned around a double-height space that connects the lower exhibition flloor up past the entry level to the central rooflight. This allows vistas and light but is unfortunately glazed in with a timber-framed screen, limiting the poignancy.
Local building by Simpson & Brown Architects: SOC Bird Centre, Aberlady, East Lothian, Scotland
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