National Nuclear Archive, incorporating the Caithness Archive, Wick, Caithness
We are delighted to reveal our competition winning, new build project to house the National Nuclear Archive, a world class, internationally recognised repository of information and records of the history, development, management and decommissioning of the UK’s civil nuclear industry. The £15 million project will contain archive, headquarters and Highland Council’s Caithness Archive.
Caithness is located in the north; at 58 degrees latitude Wick lies in the region of Great North on the margins of Far North. Caithness appears desolate and empty, yet to the knowing it is alive with colour and light. Our ambition is to create a building of simple practicality, coupled with a powerful and enduring form. At the same time the building must invite and welcome the local, the expert and the visitor.
Work has now begun and the project is programmed for completion in the summer of 2013. Randall Bargelt, Director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), commented; "This is a UK facility which will be housed in a building of international quality, a new asset for the Wick community and a hugely important store of history and knowledge."
David Dunbar, President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) which managed the selection process, said; "The Incorporation is delighted to be involved with such a major UK commission. The selection process was very fair and meticulous and will, I am sure, result in a fine building."
The winning design was selected after a competitive interview selection process from a shortlist which included BDP, Broadway Malayan, Gareth Hoskins Architects and JM Architects.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk _ www.news.scotsman.com _ www.news.bbc.co.uk _ www.bdonline.co.uk
project page