Culzean Castle

The National Trust for Scotland appointed OPEN to carry out works at Culzean Castle in January 2016. Culzean is the jewel in the crown of the National Trust for Scotland. The Castle is a Grade A Listed Robert Adam masterpiece of international significance and the Estate is their only property to be considered outstanding in every category of the Historic Environment Scotland criteria within the Inventory of Designed and Historic Gardens.

The works undertaken at Culzean were the first phase of a major investment under the Culzean Transformation Project, aimed at regenerating a tired visitor offering and attracting additional revenue in a climate where it is increasingly difficult to keep abreast of the cost of upkeep. The proposals included a new arrival experience, reorientation of routes which were sensitive to the original model farm buildings now acting as a visitor centre (also Grade A Listed and designed by Robert Adam), significant reorganisation of the parking and circulation systems and restoration of land close to the castle from parking area to contemporary meadow. The project works also included design of a new alternative transport system.

Complexities included sensitivity to the environment, both physically and ecologically, and alert to the need for NTS to be able to maximise commercial opportunities. The client group was diverse in their interest and opinions, ranging from those of the property managers, garden design specialists and interpretation experts to the views of those who actively manage the Estate including the gardeners, aboriculturists and site rangers. Keeping statutory authorities alongside was challenging but essential in order to ensure the project delivery timescales could be met.

OPEN assembled and led the team which included transport planners, engineers, architects and ecologists as well as cost consultants. OPEN also working closely with the branding and signage experts.

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016