PLANS have been launched for the multi-million-pound build of a new Museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library.
The Aberdeenshire Council plans, designed by Collective Architecture, would see Peterhead’s Arbuthnot House sensitively restored and extended to house both the town’s library and new museum showcasing Aberdeenshire’s extensive heritage collections and artwork.
The museum galleries would begin on the ground floor of the refurbished Arbuthnot House, moving into the upper floors of the new extension. The local authority said that it will allow for ‘many more’ objects to be displayed, as well as creative interpretation including music, interactives, Doric, and film.
Meanwhile, the new Peterhead Library would be situated on the ground floor of the new extension alongside Arbuthnot House with access to a sunken seating area in the garden for readings and events.
A ground floor cafe with seating spilling out onto a garden terrace is also planned, whilst a restaurant would be created on the top floor – with it planned to be a place to dine on the best regional produce whilst taking in the views of the nearby harbour.
The existing Carnegie Building, which has housed the existing Arbuthnot Museum and Library Peterhead’s St Peter Street for decades, will be sensitively restored and upgraded to be brought back into use as a modern, accessible cultural space under an exterior operator, Aberdeenshire Council said.
Aberdeenshire Council leader councillor Gillian Owen said, “I am really impressed by the designs for the Museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library. This truly will be a museum for the whole region, showcasing the inspiring individuals, sensational stories and amazing artefacts that make the north-east unique. This is a major infrastructure project and, while I do acknowledge that the design process has taken us slightly longer than we would have hoped owing to the complexities and restrictive nature of the site, I am delighted to see it progressing and I look forward to works commencing in due course.”
Ewan Imrie, director of Collective Architecture, added, “Arbuthnot House is a listed building of great historical significance to Peterhead and Aberdeenshire. The works will restore this fantastic building to meaningful public use, while its walled garden will be reimagined as a vital, new public space. Our extension design aims to create a landmark that will draw both locals and visitors to Peterhead, celebrating the unique identity and heritage of Aberdeenshire. This will be achieved with sensitivity to the remarkable pink granite townscape of Peterhead, providing stimulus for further regeneration. Together, these elements will establish a family-friendly, inclusive place for everyone to come together.”
