David Marshall Lodge Circa 1979 – new extension
Images are courtesy of Moira Harkin of Visitor Services, The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, Aberfoyle.
Not dated this image is presumed to have been taken shortly after the new exhibition wing was added in 1978. The new wing was a bold extension and retained the flat roof features and symmetry of the original building but projected out over steeply falling ground. The space afforded spectacular views over to the Criagmore and Limecraig Hills as well as housing important presentations highlighting the character and wildlife of the surrounding areas.
Dr Geoff Freedman, Head of Design, Forestry Commission Civil Engineering was tasked with creating the design. In a section of David Wilkie’s booklet Geoff writes:
‘In 1977, I designed the structure of the new octagonal extension for the David Marshall Lodge. The F.C. Estates Division was the client and hired an architect to draw the layout. The structure was significant in that it was an odd shape, it fitted onto a building constructed of slate and for wind load it was the equivalent of being at the top storey of an extremely high skyscraper. The extension was founded on a slope away from the building just above a very steep drop in the ground. This meant the wind forces were very high, the bracing difficult to design and the slate construction of the original building would not support a high shear connection to take the wind loads.
The main wind forces were taken back to the roof and floor of the existing building because the slate construction did not constitute a good enough fixing. The structural steelwork, which formed the main spine of the extension, became a mathematical jigsaw, as each beam and column were detailed to a tolerance of plus or minus 1mm. However, in the event, everything went well and, 33 years later, perhaps the only criticism is that it should have been bigger.
It has provided an excellent opportunity for the Forestry Commission to show and promote its recreation and conservation face. It is such a spectacular site and one of the early significant expenditures on what was then a peripheral activity.’
The PDF below holds two other views believed to have been taken at the same time and shows the extension from the far side as well as one of part the original building. Note the picnic takes located underneath to take advantage of some shelter from the rain. The windows and doors at the entrance side of the building appear to have been replaced at some point but the others are as the original construction.
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Groups: Buildings in Forests, Recreation Activities and Art in the Forest