Architects appointed for National Marine Centre

The Scottish Seabird Centre have announced that the architects who worked on their award-winning building in North Berwick will work on the National Marine Centre project.

Simpson & Brown Architects specialise in conservation projects, creative adaption of existing buildings and the design of environmentally-sound initiatives. The original Scottish Seabird Centre, opened in May 2000, has become a popular landmark building and has won several architectural and sustainability awards.

The aim of the National Marine Centre is to help people discover more about Scotland's amazing marine environment and wildlife - life above and below the waves - including seabirds. It will present the opportunity for the Centre to achieve more of its charitable objectives by expanding and diversifying its education and conservation programmes, developing new activities and events, and enhancing the exhibition space. The National Marine Centre is the working title for this innovative project.

Andy Davey, Partner at Simpson & Brown Architects, said:

"Our team is delighted to be involved with the National Marine Centre Project. We are immensely proud of the Seabird Centre building and believe we are ideally placed to develop and strengthen the design to make it even more inspirational as well as functional for visitors and staff.

"Our work focuses on respecting the past and responding to the challenges for the future, particularly with regards to environmentally sound, sustainable design. As these aspects will be a core focus for the National Marine Centre project we look forward to researching, consulting and developing the designs in partnership with the Seabird Centre team and key stakeholders."

Grace Martin, Project Director for the National Marine Centre, said:

"We are thrilled to be working with Simpson & Brown. Andy and his team have a very strong association with the current building and a wealth of experience in visitor attractions, sustainability and sympathetic design.

"It is still very early days with the project and we are currently in a period of public consultation. Going forward, Simpson & Brown will be keen to engage with visitors and non-visitors alike to help them identify how best to enhance the existing, iconic Seabird Centre building."

Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre website for more information about the National Marine Centre.