Lamer Island Battery, Dunbar

Dunbar is a historic harbour town on the east coast of Scotland. The project created a new public space within the Lamer Island Battery. This defensive bastion was built in 1781 during the American War of Independence to protect the town. The site subsequently housed a hospital for infectious diseases and was a military hospital during the First World War. Latterly a ruin, it remained full of potential due to its stunning location, history and intriguing topography.

Our design seeks to exploit the site’s palimpsest through the repair and conservation of the historic structure whilst transforming the space with the contemporary integration of a new amphitheatre, artwork, planting and seating.

A process of archaeological investigation preceded and informed the design work. Further elements of historic interest such as a fumigation oven and hospital foundations were incorporated into the design as they were uncovered during the course of construction. Previously difficult to access, the site has been opened up to everybody through the introduction of an interpretive concrete path linking the revitalised battery to the harbour. A garden with coastal plants animates the top level.

Interpretive elements were integrated into the furniture and structure of the interventions so as not to detract from the stunning spatial quality of the battery itself. The artist Donald Urquhart was commissioned to make a site specific work, ‘Sea Cubes’, as a series of stainless steel cubes engraved with ‘foraminifera’ (micro-organisms found in the North Sea).

rankinfraser were the lead consultant and contract administrator. We worked closely with engineers and QS to deliver the project. 

Client: Dunbar Harbour Trust

Status: Completed 2017