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We were appointed by Midlothian Council to design a new multi activity venue at the existing Hillend snowsports centre, located at the northern end of the Pentland hills. Challenges within this project include improving access to the existing slopes and connecting to the site infrastructure across different levels. The brief includes a a mix of retail, restaurant, soft play, climbing and ski hire in a main building, with an Alpine Coaster ride and associated control building.
We developed a masterplan for the site arranging the activities, buildings and supporting infrastructure around the exiting ski slopes and access road. An extensive landscape plan replaced any lost planting to enhance biodiversity and integrate the proposals into the hillside and minimise visual impact.
The main building is embedded into the hillside, linking between the different levels of the car park and ski slopes. A solid base course is punctured by full height opening and glazing. The upper level is clad terracotta shingles referencing the variegated nature of the surrounding landscape. Its roof echoes the undulating ridge of the Pentlands, rising and falling to mark key elements of the building.
The building is to be EPC A rated, utilising high levels of insulation and air tightness, minimised thermal bridges, a heat recover ventilation system, and photovoltaic panels.
The Alpine Coaster building is clad in corten steel, nesting into a nook of the hillside, with the track running through the building, surrounded by new planting. The colour and texture of the cladding reflects the autumnal shades of the Pentlands.
