Architecture practice Denizen Works has designed a timber observation tower proposal for Inverewe Garden in Wester Ross.

Estate owner National Trust for Scotland set an open brief to the London-based architects to create a viewing tower to draw more visitors to the property.

Denizen Works said: “Our response to this open brief from the National Trust for Scotland saw us explore the history of Inverewe and take inspiration from the natural world. Combining the rich artistic heritage of the Garden with nesting forms of local wildlife has resulted in proposals for our vertical gallery and bird hide.

“For the visitor, the experience will be one of intrigue: a structure where the internal functions are not necessarily understood from the outside, much like a burrow or woodpecker’s nest.

“Rather than creating a tower for its own sake, we were interested in creating an experience integrated into the natural route through the garden landscape.”

The tower is accessed from the High Viewpoint where visitors will follow a path down the natural contours before crossing a short bridge to the tower. The staircase links to a further network of paths at the base via gallery spaces telling the story of the garden through different spatial experiences at each level, combined with art specially commissioned for the tower.

At the top of the tower, a bird hide affords stunning views across the tree canopies and allows visitors to observe the local wildlife, including nearby nesting herons and local golden eagles.

Planning has been submitted to Highland Council and the Garden Tower is due to start on site in Autumn 2018.

Credits: Denizen Works: architects and Darcstudio: visualisations.