The renovation project, designed by Reiach and Hall Architects, aimed to modernise and expand the existing museum facilities in Kilmartin Glen. This is an area renowned for its archaeological significance. The museum, originally housed in a traditional three storey manse, required a significant upgrade to better display artefacts and enhance visitor experience.
A major engineering challenge of the project was the creation of new basement spaces, linking the existing manse with an adjacent steading building. Although the manse had a partial basement, the steading had none. To achieve a cohesive basement area, extensive underpinning was necessary. Engineers had to carefully excavate beneath the external walls of the manse, stabilising it with concrete to create space for a new collection store.
The project also introduced a wraparound extension that linked the manse to the steading. This extension housed new basement spaces including a storage area and an education room for school visits and craft nights. Accessibility was a key focus, and the installation of an internal lift and improved circulation between the buildings made the museum more inclusive.
One of the most ambitious elements was the new open plan exhibition space. Large glass elevations were incorporated to provide panoramic views of the Glen. This improved the visitor experience by connecting the museum’s interior with its historic surroundings. The design also called for some structural elements to stay exposed requiring precise engineering to ensure the structural connections between these materials were not only strong but visually harmonious.
Landscape architect Horner + McClennan played a key role in shaping the museum’s outdoor spaces. Narro engineers helped design new parking facilities, including accessible spaces, further improving visitor access.
The Kilmartin Museum project is a great example of the vital role of engineering in realising an architect’s vision. Through careful underpinning, innovative structural design, and a focus on accessibility, the project successfully modernised the museum while respecting its historical context and enhancing the visitor experience.
