Month: March 2024

DSSR is providing full Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health design duties in relation to the creation of a new Visitor’s Centre and VIP / Tasting Suite. Duties include energy compliance modelling for the new construction, together with site infrastructure consultancy.

Established in 1825 in the town of Brechin, Glencadam is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and the only remaining distillery within the Angus region. Whisky has been distilled at this Angus Dundee Distillers site for almost 200 years and the company are in the process of creating a new visitor experience on the site. The site has an internal fully operating working water wheel, and witnessing this in operation will form part of the future visitor tours.

The plans will develop existing buildings to incorporate a unique tour, whisky tasting area, tea room and shop, all designed to celebrate the history and heritage of Glencadam, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.

The designs will retain the original sandstone facade of the existing buildings, together with other integral features that date back almost 200 years, and blend this with some innovative new architecture.

There will also be newly designed offices, meeting rooms and tasting lab for the distillery team, all located in the original floor maltings, which are no longer in operation.

DSSR recently held a collection for easter eggs on behalf of local charity, Possobilities, located within a mile of our Glasgow office in North Glasgow.

The Directors would like to thank everyone for their kindness in donating a large batch of Easter eggs for a good cause. Office Manager, Maureen Campbell, dropped off a grand total of 91 eggs.

The charity has faced a recent lack of food donations, so the Directors at DSSR have also kindly agreed to make a monetary donation to assist with this.

Over the last 33 years, Possobilities has developed into one of the most respected voluntary organisations in the city. They have a proven track record of offering support and respite to disabled and vulnerable people in the community, promoting independent living.

The owners of the Radisson Red Hotel recently bought the nearby listed building, the North Rotunda, and plan to invest £15m to redevelop the building.

Having previously been involved with the MEP design for the South Rotunda, we are excited to now also be involved with the MEP design for the North Rotunda. It is an honour to be able to play a role in bringing this important part of Glasgow’s industrial heritage back into effective use and protecting it for future generations.

Constructed in 1890, the North Rotunda, along with an identical building on the south side of the river, was built originally as an entrance to a vehicular and passenger tunnel under the river Clyde.

The new design will see the creation of ‘The Roundhouse’ on the ground floor, and ‘The Rotunda’ on the upper floors while restoring historic features like the cast iron and glass cupola.

The ground floor space is to be designed with live performances in mind, with two upper floors created for hosting weddings, conferences and other events. Bespoke sound and lighting systems will be installed, along with a new extension and external stairwell, allowing the building to meet modern building regulations.

“Sadly the old building is in a sorry state, but we are prepared to invest heavily in order to restore this architectural gem, bringing a new generation through its doors.

“The North Rotunda is a beautiful old building with some lovely features, either covered up completely or worse, rotting away. We want to restore it and we have worked hard to come up with a design which enhances and showcases those features.

“We see the Rotunda as an important part of Glasgow’s heritage which we are keen to preserve and enhance, while creating a brand new venue to showcase the best of music and live events from Glasgow and beyond.”

Keith Vallance, Construction Director at Forrest Hotels

The North Rotunda is paired with the South Rotunda on the other side of the river. This twin building also underwent a refurbishment and bespoke fit-out, becoming the offices of Malin Marine.

DSSR was also the MEP designer for the historic ‘B’ listed building, helping to develop it into exceptional contemporary office accommodation. Our service included full M&E design, including heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, domestic water, and fire safety. We also carried out thermal modelling to demonstrate that thermal comfort would be maintained throughout the year.