Kelpies opening delayed after forecast visitor numbers double
The opening of a planned visitor centre in Falkirk, Scotland, has been delayed for further expansion after visitor numbers to the Kelpies doubled original expectations.
Work on the development has already started nearby artist Andy Scott’s giant horse-head sculptures, which are at the centre of the Helix parkland project.
The sculptures debuted in April 2014, with more than 680,000 people visiting by September and an estimated 950,000 to visit in the first full year.
The £1.8m (US$2.9m, €2.4m) visitor centre – designed by Dundee-based architects Nicoll Russell Studios – will now open in October rather than August to allow expanded retail space, storage and additional staff facilities as well as the originally planned café, shop, toilets, offices and exhibition space.
Inside one of the sculptures is a 250sq m (2,690sq ft) visitor centre, while the “Hub” visitor centre is an environmentally focused green roofed building designed to blend into the landscape. A frameless glass facade is oriented directly toward the sculptures and the remaining facades and roof are constructed of Composite cross laminated timber panels.
Funding has been secured from Score Environment, the Scottish government, the Big Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals. Temporary visitor facilities will continue to be available on-site until the centre is ready to open.
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson