Archive plans reveal an ‘elegant’ building
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PLANS were unveiled yesterday by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for the long-awaited National Nuclear Archive in Wick.
A drop-in session at the Norseman Hotel let members of the public finally lay eyes on the proposed new repository, which should also house the Caithness Archive Centre at the heart of the facility.
Dounreay Site Restoration Limited’s project manager, Stewart Henderson, explained that yesterday marked the start of the public consultation for Wick becoming the home of the UK nuclear industry’s records – if the scheme is given the final green light by the NDA later this year.
Mr Henderson praised the architecture firm, Reiach and Hall, for its sustainable designs for the facility.
"It’s a difficult building to design in the landscape as it is very much an inward looking building – it is essentially a lot of paper being stored there," he said.
"Normally you could use the form and function of a building to express it architecturally outside.
"Essentially this is such an inward looking building you could end up with just a big concrete bunker, whereas this building achieves clarity and elegance."
However, Mr Henderson was also keen to point out that there is still a final hurdle to overcome, as approval must be given by the NDA’s executive.
Add in an ongoing independent review looking at archiving issues at Sellafield and the wider NDA estate, due to be concluded at the end of the year, as well as the shock resignation of the NDA’s chief executive, Tony Fountain, last week, and the timescale becomes uncertain.
An NDA spokesperson said that it is currently seeking a new chief executive and that there was no indication at the moment that the topic of the new archive would not be raised at the December meeting.
When the board members do discuss it they will see plans for a state-of-the-art archive situated amongst landscaped grounds, with internal courtyards and lochans and long strips of windows in the public areas.
The large triangular design points north and would be situated just across from Wick Airport.
As well as housing the two archives, the plans show room for a public search area, a meeting room, staff areas, parking and distinctive inner courtyards.
The site has deliberately been made as flexible as possible, with room for expansion if necessary.
Project architect David Anderson explained that this would be a truly unique landmark archive.
"We’re not often given a chance to do a project like this," he said. "This is different from most other archive sites as ours is long and low while most tend to be high.
"This has allowed us to open it up a lot more and insert courtyards which will allow for natural light and ventilation."
Mr Anderson said that the fact that the NDA has allowed the firm to work on a building that will comply with all the legislation and requirements of an archive building – security, climate control and environmental responsibility – as well as being of national importance, is a great opportunity for both his company and Caithness in general.
"The fact that the NDA have chosen to take it to Wick follows the notion that Wick is the original county capital," he said. "It’s quite nice with Thurso having benefited for so long from Dounreay that it’s in Wick and near to the airport. It would be a great facility for the area."
