Vine Trust Barge

In November 2008, the Vine Trust approached Archial to help them refit an MOD fuel vessel, located in a permanent mooring in Leith, Edinburgh, which, in addition to providing a fundraising centre and accommodation for their staff, would also act as an educational teaching base, connecting school children across Scotland with the plight of street children in Peru.

The ambitious project includes teaching areas, a cinema, exhibition space and a multipurpose outdoor performance stage, as well as office accommodation for the Trust. Thanks to the generosity of Forth Ports, the charity has secured free mooring in front of the historic Port Authority Building at Leith Docks for the next 25 years.

In contrast to the heavy, and tired industrial look of the existing ship, new insertions of crisp glass and timber volumes sit within the shell of the old ship, with varying levels of transparency attenuated by western red cedar timber slats.  The slats provide both a level of visual accessibility and privacy depending on their viewing angle: the intention is that this will draw people in to investigate the contents, as well as providing a level of solar control to the main space.  

As this was a charitable project, Archial's Glasgow Office donated their services free of charge for the duration of the three year project and encouraged a number of other key consultants and material suppliers from the local area to do the same.
 
The project was completed in September 2011 and opened by HRH Princess Royal.