Project Brief: Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park

Descriptions

- A Discovery Centre where interpretation is delivered through combined indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces with views over the lochan to the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) beyond. The building design and location, set amongst native species planting, will both create an immediate ‘wow’ factor as the visitor approaches whilst the redesigned parking area provides safe pedestrian spaces around the building. Seamless designs integrate the new building with the existing, so they are indistinguishable, whilst the existing shop and café are extended by utilising spaces previously used for staff offices and outdoor seating. - Hilltop Hub, an off the grid, protected enclosure and viewpoint where the CNP landscape is interpreted, and local conservation projects are highlighted. This will be timber built, sympathetic to the landscape and provide shelter to our visitors while the learn about our conservation work. - Learning Hub, low carbon classrooms on the site of current education bothy, for indoor and outdoor learning by schools and community groups. This will showcase carbon offsetting and carbon reducing technologies such as a living roof, grey water harvesting and solar panels. This building and outdoor space gives panoramic views of the Cairngorms and can be used out of hours for events and functions as well as being a place for school and community groups to visit during the day.