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David Douglas Pavilion Pitlochry

In an effort to educate the general public and promote the use of sustainable home grown timber, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster Group approached Gaia to design an innovative structure for Pitlochry's Scottish Plant Collectors Garden. The pavilion was to commemorate the significant contribution to Scottish Forestry made by 19th century explorer David Douglas, and therefore, the materials specified were almost entirely home grown timber.

The original concept was of a 'folded leaf' used as an over arching roof form protecting the sheltered space within. The combination of traditional pegged framing construction and modern sheathed framing, then informed the concept to produce the simple organic form of the building.

The entire superstructure is constructed in Scottish timber. The main structural posts & beams, roof decking, wall framing, cladding & viewing deck are all in untreated Douglas Fir. The roof finish is sawn larch shingles. These are from untreated selected heartwood. The windows & doors have been made in laminated Scottish oak. Ash and elm boards have been laid on the floor.

The pavilion has become one of the central features of the new garden and has gained a great deal of interest from the press since it opened. It won a Wood Award in 2003 and recently was commended by the Dundee Institute of Architects.