THE MACALLAN DISTILLERY AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE,
SPE YSIDE, SCOTLAND
SPEIRS + MAJOR/ ROGERS STIRK HARBOUR + PARTNERS
One of the original farm distilleries of Speyside, the Macallan
distillery was officially established in 1824 and is now one of the
world’s most renowned single-malt whiskies. The new distillery
and visitor centre, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
(RSHP), nestles discreetly in the landscape. Set into the naturally
sloping contours of the site and with a gently undulating living
meadow roof, the architecture makes direct references to ancient
Scottish earthworks.
The lighting scheme had to meet a complex set of criteria in that
it encompasses both the theatrical elements of a visitor attraction
with the functional aspects of a working distillery. Like the overall
design, the concept also references the local landscape and its
dynamic light qualities. ‘Providing the flexibility, by day and
after dark, not only to support the visitor experience but also
Above and left: colour provides visual cues – cool blue for the stainless steel, cold-process
equipment, and amber red hues for the hot copper stills (evening hospitality setting)
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