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Forsinard Observatory

Forsinard
Client: The Peatlands Partnership
Architect: ICOSIS Architects
Completed: 2015
Value: £150k
Status: Complete

Home / Forsinard Observatory

Project overview

The new Lookout Forsinard Tower sits on the edge of a bog pool system forming part of the Dubh Lochan Trail in the Flows National Nature Reserve.

The structure provides visitors with elevated views over the bog pools (or Lochans) which can form extensive systems and create impressive patterns when viewed from above. It has also provided a popular destination for stargazing.

To minimise disruption the structure is elevated above the bog level with a ballasted steel ground floor chasse, supported on a series of steel columns. Sacrificial steel walled pile casings were driven in to the bog approximately four meters to bedrock. These provide a sleeve for the pre-fabricated founding columns. Stiff connections between the ground floor deck and the founding columns provide lateral stability.

The superstructure consists of slender steel box sections with stiff connections creating a sway frame. Timber floor joists and wall studs are provided between the steel elements and are fixed to specially fabricated tabs. The structure is clad externally in Scottish Larch.

The superstructure frame was transported to site partially constructed. It was lifted from the main road to the site by helicopter to reduce the imposed construction traffic load on the bog.

Forsinard Observatory
Forsinard Observatory
Forsinard Observatory
Forsinard Observatory
Forsinard Observatory
Forsinard Observatory
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Gary Moyes

Director

Meet Gary Moyes
Gary is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Regional Director based in our Edinburgh office.
MEng, CEng, MICE

Steve Wood

Technical Director

Meet Steve Wood
Steve is a Chartered Structural Engineer, Conservation Accredited Engineer and our Technical Director of Conservation based in Edinburgh.
MEng, CEng, MIStructE, Conservation Accredited Engineer
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