The Macallan Distillery & Visitor Experience

Structural Award Winner 2018

Location: Charlestown of Aberlour, Scotland
Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Client/Owner: Edrington
Structural Engineer: Arup
Main Contractor: Robertson
Installation: L&S Baucon GmbH
Joinery/Wood Supplier: Wiehag
Wood Species: Norway spruce

Built on an estate that has been creating single malt whisky since 1824, The Macallan is one of the most complex timber structures built in the UK. The scheme’s five domes mirror the surrounding landscape but also allow height for the stratification and exhaust of hot air. A 3x3m lattice of beams is imposed orthogonally on the form-found shell of the roof. This approach allows for structural robustness and gives space for increased shear capacity. The timber is reinforced with steel to act compositely where needed. All the timber elements were fabricated in Austria using advanced CNC machinery. The roof is 207m long and has an area of 13,620m2. The roof package comprised 350,000 separate pieces, including fixings, and almost every piece was different.