From Sutherland Hussey Architects:

Design Concept:
‘The new building is situated along the edge of a steep gorge where south light, views and the drama of the location can be maximized. The building is best described as a kind of ‘umbrecula’ – a large timber canopy covering a stepped winter-garden. A number of spaces buried into the hillside open into the central space.

This concept pays homage to the beautiful cane structures used for berry growing in the area around Blairgowrie – indeed we envisage that the timber structure will literally be used to grow fruit and berry canes and that these might, in part, offer a natural means of solar shade during the summer months as well as strengthening the relationship of the building to its natural surroundings. Akin to the Beech Hedge at Meikleour nearby, these can be seen as the ‘largest fruit canes in the world’.

Visitor Approach:
The building is approached from three different directions and at three different levels
- By car from the Old Military Road
- By foot via a suspension bridge straddled over the Gorge
- By foot from the town centre along the river path

Internal Circulation and organization:
All three entrances lead the visitor into a large glazed winter-garden. This space ascends up the slope of the hill as a series of terraces, which open directly out onto the new terraced landscape to the north and connect the top of the hill to the river below. Lifts are positioned at the east end of the building and connect to all activities via a series of viewing galleries where the winter-garden can be enjoyed from different positions.

A number of different facilities open onto the winter-garden terraces, allowing the visitor to enjoy the dramatic relationship to the outside within the comfort of a tempered and protected environment. The building would include an Ecology Centre, Education Resource Centre, Fishing Museum, shops and cafes.

Oakbank Mill and Bramblebank Mill
The scheme also includes a proposal to renovate two listed eighteenth century Mill Buildings which currently lie derelict.

River Ericht Visitor Centre in Blairgowrie is part of a larger tourism initiative proposed by the Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company and in collaboration with Landuse Consultants, Glasgow.’