Viral Ideas

Viral ideas were around long before social media. Think of the landmark structures which represent any major city; they brand places so strongly that they are viral. An idea, a structure, can be so clear, unusual or direct that it becomes viral.

To do that it has to be in context to its environment, yet it must stand out.

MacMillan Spirits are converting a former crab processing plant on the Hebridean island of Benbecula into a whisky distillery. It’s at the northern tip of the island, at the end of the long straight causeway link to North Uist. The building is so prominent in this flat maritime landscape that it cries out for a landmark feature, a feature which demonstrates the use of this visitor building. We designed a lighthouse.

A lighthouse enclosing a copper pot still is a strong image, right? To our knowledge there isn’t another in the world of distilling, so it will represent MacMillan Spirits locally and globally.

Here’s a concept rendering.

Now the refurbishment is under construction using local company MacInnes Brothers. It’s a highly technical work of coordination by specialists: The lighthouse is being fabricated in Glasgow by Gray and Dick and due for shipping to the island before the end of the year. Each of the diamond shaped glazing units is around two meters high. Allan Associates are the spirit production designers, modelling to ensure that the still fits into the space provided.

The lighthouse structure sits on top of an internal steel structure designed by Narro Associates. The structure has to withstand the Hebridean winter, whilst ventilating the still room via high level louvres. Bolt fitted glazing allows still parts to be installed and removed. Paula Murray of Supertonic is designing the visitor experience.

All of these designers and contractors are coordinating their work using one Revit model, allowing every pipe, tank and vent to be coordinated with the entire building team. The last piece of the jigsaw is the traditional dry stone wall which will wrap the base of the new building, built by local stoneworkers in a traditional manner.  

The result will be an image which comes to represent Benbecula, the MacMillan Spirits brand, and perhaps even whisky making on the Hebrides.