The Macallan Distillery by RSHP

The Macallan Distillery, Aberlour, was presented at the AT Awards live finals on 20 September 2023 to a jury comprising Simon Allford, Esther Robinson Wild, Ed Jarvis, Amin Taha, Patrick Bellew, and Chair Lee Mallett. Read about how the project has stood the test of time.

Completed
2018

Won in competition by RSHP, The Macallan Distillery in Aberlour is intended to welcome guests and reveal the whisky producer’s production processes, while remaining sensitive to its countryside setting. Cut into the naturally-sloping contours of the site, the design makes reference to ancient Scottish earthworks. Internally, a series of production cells arranged in a linear format with an open-plan layout reveal all stages of the process at once. The cells are reflected above the building in the form of a gently undulating, grass-covered, timber grid-shell roof.

One of the main technical challenges was compartmentalising (for fire) the distillery and guest experience, while maintaining a strong visual link between the two elements. This is achieved via a structurally-independent, vertically-cantilevered, full-height glass wall, measuring 10×36 metres with a two-hour fire rating.

Credit: Joas Souza

Distilleries, as production facilities, have high energy demands, but the architect has sought to mitigate these where possible. Waste heat from the production process is used to supply hot water and underfloor heating to the experience area via heat exchangers. Power is supplied by renewable electricity, RGGO biomethane in place of natural gas, and on-site biomass. Natural and low-carbon materials have been specified extensively and include the 13,000-square-metre timber roof and native wildflower meadow, as well as high proportions of pulverised fuel ash employed in the concrete substructure.

Central to the success of the scheme is its ability to showcase the whisky making process in a way that is not possible in conventional distilleries. Indeed, the guest experience has proved so popular that the company has had to make all visits by appointment only. Commenting on the project, the client said, ‘we are delighted at how this building has performed over the past five years and we are excited about how it will develop in the future.’