Discovery Point’s new visitor attraction provides never before seen views of Dundee’s skyline. The project included the creation of a refurbished entrance area, reception and new Dome Gallery Experience.
On reaching the Dome Gallery, visitors are introduced to the space via an experience that starts with the ‘Gaia’ rotating Earth art installation by Luke Jerram, progressing into historic CGI construction of how Dundee appeared in 1901, via a 360° panoramic movie which concludes with a reveal of how the city appears today.
Discovery Point’s Dome was not originally designed as an accessible area of the building. Aim resolved substantial technical challenges to create a new access core and unique Dome Gallery viewing platform enabling visitors to access the dome for the first time. Aim’s Exhibition Design services also delivered the interpretation and creative direction for the 1901 heritage movie and graphics. Visitors can now enjoy unprecedented 360° views across the Dundee skyline and River Tay estuary.
The overall experience invites the visitor to consider the impact our cities and lifestyles impose on the planet. The narrative reflects on the sources of pollution typical of cities at the turn of the 20th century, the lessons we have learnt and why science and exploration are key to developing solutions to combat climate change from those early years and as we continue to demand more from our planet.
The project was awarded Gold for interior design at the 2022 Scottish Design Awards.
As an initial stepping stone to realising a larger creative media district development, Scottish Enterprise commissioned Aim to design proposals for an office space aimed at start-ups in the digital media sector. The building was constructed from recycled shipping containers in line with the modular construction ethos developed for District 10.
A BREEAM excellent standard building, District 10 provides 15 flexible workspace units each formed from two combined shipping containers. Common amenities and a break out cafe and meeting spaces support the workspaces.
The brand name and industrial design conveys cargo, transport or modular construction likened to a crating stamp. Externally, the building’s brand aesthetic origins link to the 1990s game Tetris. Each elevation is a game screen with pixelated shapes. This pixelation is carried through internally and on all branding and marketing material.
The spaces within the building have been designed to retain the industrial aesthetic of the containers, whilst creating a vibrant space that is comfortable and practical for users. Bold pixelated colour and pattern are used in communal areas to create a strong visual identity and unmistakable character for the building throughout.
“Aim’s industrial aesthetic has been applied to the building in its entirety creating an innovative and inspiring interior befitting of its past and present use.” - Isla Robb - Scottish Enterprise
District 10 Testimonial 2
“Aim have created a visually striking building that will be the cornerstone for future modular development in this significant part of Dundee’s Waterfront development.’’ - Peter Noad - Scottish Enterprise
Working with Malmaison, Aim Design introduced two prominent obstacles to redirect pedestrians away from the external seating area. These sit adjacent to the access doors and provide definition to the entrance space whilst appearing soft with curved Corten steelwork to complement an existing canopy design.
The wraparound steel also includes concealed led light washes that will up light the planting bay and down light the bottom fringe of the drum.
Set within the beautiful and historic East Shore harbour area of Anstruther, East Neuk Dental Practice suffered from a lack of space and light, a consequence of its history as a typical Scottish fishing village home. By extending the existing building to the rear the design maximises the available area to make careful use of the tight courtyard, creating a bright welcoming space within a dense urban fabric.
Sensitive references to the heritage of the surrounding buildings’ vernacular – in particular the neighbouring Fisheries Museum – are achieved both through the use of warm timbers, and by the careful integration with the existing site geometries. At the same time, complimentary modern elements have been introduced in the form of frameless glazing and steel, effectively realising a comfortable and inviting environment for patrons.
The project was recognised at the DIA awards, winning the Best Small Project award.
CWI specialise in high quality interior fittings, fixtures and design. This new showroom showcases their expertise as well as their developing interest in sustainable technologies. The design of the showroom is centred around providing a low-cost building that is energy efficient, environmentally friendly and with an appearance that represents quality and forward thinking. Simple zinc cladding and boldly expressed structural elements give the building a modern, sculptural quality, with large expanses of glazing making a densely packed space feel light and open.
The building was designed to Passive House standard, with a high specification of materials, heating, and ventilation systems used in its construction which combined with carefully considered detailing, ensured an exceptionally energy-efficient building.
In association with Dundee City Council Construction Services and the Unicorn Preservation Society, Aim were invited to develop a reception module to provide supporting facilities for visitors to the ship. In addition to the reception module, the project included the enhancement of the exhibition maritime heritage journey through the ship, including upgrading general and showcase lighting and the highlighting of star objects to enhance the experience of the ship, a cherished piece of Dundee’s maritime heritage.
The reception module is located on the quayside and consists of a shipping container, referencing the nautical theme of the setting, wrapped in charred black oak cladding to blend with the ship’s hull. The module provides a low-cost and suitably functional visitor space to support the ship staff, visitors and events.
Glenrothes Strollers are a significant youth sports development organisation, supporting the needs of over 500 members of all ages and levels of ability. Aim were invited to develop a new clubhouse at Overstenton Park to support the Strollers’ extensive community activities throughout the year.
The brief for the project was developed in close consultation with the numerous user groups associated with and out-with the club. Several plan forms were investigated, the preferred option being a form that sites a flexible café/events space at the core of the building, with the support changing and shower spaces around the outside.
A single softly curved roof line, to reflect the line of a ball travelling through the air, falls gently to the rear to provide a single rain water collection point for storage and watering of the playing fields. The curved roof also provides a south-facing 4 metre canopy sheltering the viewing terrace.
The project delivers a much-needed new facility that assists the Strollers’ offering to the local community.
“Aim presented a thoroughly well considered case for developing this multi storey development with single means of escape - the first of its kind in Dundee." - Private Client
Aim had been working with their client on a community facility for over ten years, assessing several sites and opportunities for a new community hub. This process led to their preferred location for a new facility at Monifieth Waterfront. Located on the national cycling network and perfectly located to support the waterfront land and water-based sports activities, the pavilion community building offers flexible community group hall space, meeting rooms, changing and WC facilities and supports a café and kitchen.
Elevated one metre above general ground level the Pavilion captures extensive Tay estuary views and provides much needed support space and shelter for the surrounding community and visitors to the waterfront. Constructed primarily of Glulam and CLT panels for rapid assembly the building’s plan is orientated south to overlook the immediate Blue Seaway recreational area and the beach beyond.
The immediate dunes are repurposed to form raised seating areas and a natural amphitheatre for summer events. The building incorporates Corten steel screens externally to lock-down and secure the building after hours.
Loch Ness Shores is a 5-star VisitScotland accredited camping and leisure development which provides a destination, amenity, and leisure environment in the Scottish Highlands. In developing the proposal, there was a consistent focus on achieving an architectural character which would enhance the Foyers area and provide a key tourist destination on the south shores of the loch.
Several rural compositions were assessed to identify the most appropriate form in terms of scale, mass, rural context, visual impact and access. The eventual proposal developed from this analysis presents a series of ‘long house’ buildings directly associated with low impact architecture and the rural impression common in the Highlands.
A reception, shower block and supporting retail and manager’s accommodation serve to support over one hundred camping and caravanning pitches commanding dramatic views across the loch.
The development uses locally sourced materials and has received significant SRDP funding secured in part due to the unique panel system developed to construct the buildings and the BREEAM excellent benchmark.
Loch Ness Shores has received several architectural and tourism awards and even won best loo!
“Every design task has been met with equal enthusiasm and this has resulted in a project that displays impressive consistency in terms of design quality” - Donald & Lynne Forbes, Directors - Loch Ness Shores
Aim were commissioned to develop Foxlake Adventures’ new water-based activities centre in the Victoria Docks, Dundee. The development included a new reception, changing and storage area, external terracing, jetties, pontoons access gangways, two new wakeboard courses and a water based inflatable wipe-out course.
The buildings are wrapped in a screen of charred black timber arranged as a sinusoidal wave referencing the building’s setting in the water and the historic HMS Unicorn. At the same time, the frontage provides a strong backdrop for the large FOXLAKE logo, creating a bold sense of place and a lasting impression.
Further developments will enhance the water-side of the facility using nautically inspired dazzle camouflage to break up the mass of the buildings and further enhance the striking aesthetic which has already been established.
