No fuss, no drama; this may be an unusual request from a theatre company, but when it came to building its new production centre, it's exactly what Mull Theatre wanted.

The project needed a bespoke architectural design that was able to house a rehearsal stage, a set-building workshop, a costume room and administration facilities.

Situated in the isolated and often wild climes of Mull, the building also needed to be erected quickly and thermally engineered to the high regulatory standards that will see it cope with whatever weather the island has to throw at it.

Then there were the constraints of time and money that come with most projects and the unique set of logistical challenges that building on Mull carries. Transport to the island is limited, the weather can be tricky and skills and labour are not always readily to hand.

Having decided that a timber frame construction would be easier to transport and offered the best value for money, Scotframe Timber Engineering worked with City Architects Office of Edinburgh and construction firm TSL Contractors of Oban to have the kit built to specification and delivered to Mull.


"Initial designs had looked at a concrete and steel construction," said Tony Cox, associate director at Mull Theatre. "When costs and transport issues were taken into account it became apparent that a timber frame was going to be a much better option."

The contractors arrived on site in August last year, and after preparatory work had been completed, the timber frame arrived in October. By the end of May this year, the building was ready for Mull Theatre to move into, excepting the need for some snagging and internal furnishings to be completed.

"From the unique design of the building to the unusual transport and isolated location factors, this project is a real showcase for the flexibility that timber frame construction offers," said Peter Hall, marketing manager at Scotframe.

Although the majority of the work carried out by Scotframe is in the residential market, Peter said that commercial projects like this account for between 5% and 7% of the frames it manufactures between its Inverurie and Cumbernauld sites each year.

In all, £700,000 was spent on the construction of the new production centre. A further £150,000 was spent on professional fees and site clearance.

Getting the look and feel of the building correct was essential. Mull is a rural and unspoilt backdrop and while the theatre company has an established heritage, it also has a very forward thinking and modern attitude. Something that incorporated both of these slants was required.

(GK/JM)