Date: 29 June 07
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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An Lanntair, a small arts organisation based in Stornoway, commissioned Broughty Ferry based Nicoll Russell Studios to replace their old premises in the local town hall with a new purpose built centre for the visual and performing arts. The brief called for a flexible building with a range of accommodation including an art gallery, multi-purpose auditorium and cinema, as well as a bar-restaurant, foyer and shop, with further ancillary rooms.
As well as providing a new and vital dynamic to the area, an Lanntair, or a Lantern, has also been designed to “knit” into the local context, on Stornoway’s waterfront. As a result the form generally continues the massing and scale of the neighbouring building frontages, and has been arranged to create a new public square and entrance on the north side of the site. A “lantern” element on the south east corner marks a “gateway” into the town centre and presents a strong identity for an Lanntair on the sea front.
Since its formal opening in 2006, an Lanntair has hosted exhibitions, performances and events including the national MOD and Hebridean festival, and in doing so has become a popular focus for the local community.
Project: An Lanntair Arts Centre
Architect: Nicoll Russell Studios
Client: An Lanntair
Location: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Cost: £4 million
Link: http://www.nrsarchitects.com
Images: Keith Hunter
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