The project would retrofit and extend the Abernethy Activity Centre, an activity centre in the Cairngorms national park, with local and sustainably sourced materials for charity the Abernethy Trust.The scheme will deliver flexible new communal spaces, a new dining hall, and new sleeping areas to make the centre a more functional base for visitors and staff, all while blending sensitively with the ancient Caledonian pine forest that surrounds it.The new extension, featuring an entirely timber superstructure and timber cladding throughout, would include a dining hall made from express glulam beams, a new main entrance, and sleeping modules for 24 guests taking the total up to 114. Wood fibre insulation would be used throughout the re-design.AdvertisementExisting buildings will be upgraded to meet modern accessibility and sustainability standards, and new details added including forest-facing window seats in the sleeping chalets, clerestory windows added to key communal and staff areas to increase natural light, and new externally covered areas and walkways. Source:PendPends proposed transformation of Abernethy Activity Centre in the Cairngorms new accommodationThe project will create a more logical connection between the centres 18th-century manse building, comprising a white-washed masonry structure with a slate roof, and its newer spaces, tying together and upgrading areas that Pends says have become tired and worn out in recent decades.The scheme will incorporate renewable energy sources including photovoltaics, heat pumps and an existing biomass generator.The practice, which was founded in 2021, says the transformative, low-energy project will enhance the centres facilities and ensure its continued progression. Source:PendPend's proposed transformation of Abernethy Activity Centre in the Cairngorms new dining hallIf approved, the redevelopment will be delivered in four phases over five years, allowing the centre to remain operational throughout.AdvertisementThe first phase would deliver two new lodges to sleep 24 guests, ranging from schoolchildren to families and private guests, as well as upgrading existing cabins built in the early 1990s to enable the centre to expand its gap-year training programme by roughly 10 beds.Pend director Jamie Anderson described the project as our most adventurous yet in terms of scale, taking our typology out of the city and allowing us to explore a rigorous approach to contextual and thoughtful design in rural areas.He added: The Abernethy Trust project unveils a serious opportunity to interrogate modular and playful design in the Highland Scottish landscape.If approved, the project will begin on-site near the end of the year.Project dataLocation Nethy Bridge, HighlandsLocal authority Highland Council & Cairngorm National Park AuthorityType of project Activity CentreClient Abernethy TrustArchitect Pend ArchitectsStructural engineer Harley HaddowM&E consultant Harley HaddowQuantity surveyor BrownriggsPrincipal designer BrownriggsMain contractor N/AFunding Fundraising and grantsStart on site date Phased approach starting Q3 2025Completion date TBCGross internal floor area1,500m2Form of procurement TraditionalAnnual CO2 emissions TBC