North Uist ‘Àrainneachd Àlainn’ Environment Centre - Design and Installation

Àrainneachd Àlainn Community Hub and Environment Centre aims to provide a focal point for the local community and visitors; acting as a welcoming gathering place, an innovative incubator for learning and enterprise and, an inspirational environmentally conscious heart of the Outer Hebrides to educate and conserve the unique local environment for generations into the future. This project specifically relates to the Environment Centre which is to be located in the former sports hall/assembly room of the building (the former Lochmaddy Primary School). This will be a new innovative facility showcasing the unique natural environment of the Uists and Barra, providing tourism information, a new visitor attraction and, acting as an educational engagement point highlighting the importance of conservation practices for future generations. This will also act as a base for #voluntourism as well as, incorporating a bouldering rock wall to encourage active outdoor lifestyles and environmental interaction in the comfort of an indoor setting.

The project will incorporate: Interior design, exhibition design, graphic design of the Environment Centre; management of the Installation and, construction of the Environment Centre exhibition space, including: removal of any temporary fixtures, doors and lighting (we will take advice on flooring); replacement of lighting, doors (floor if advised and within budget), repair any plasterboard or wall damage, paint out; create storage cupboard to enable storage of temporary displays; erection of bouldering wall; create and install exhibition displays.

Funding has been received from the Islands Green Recovery Programme to design and construct the Environment Centre. The budget is 84,000 GBP including VAT, as North Uist Development Company is not VAT registered.