Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, Bushmills | Northern Ireland

Architectural masterpiece: Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre

If a building could simply emerge fully formed from the surrounding countryside, then such a building would be the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, constructed in 2012. Situated on the northern coast of Northern Ireland in County Antrim, the visitor centre appears to merge seamlessly into the impressive backdrop of the Giant’s Causeway. Formed from around 40,000 evenly shaped volcanic basalt columns, some up to 12 metres in height, the Causeway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The origin of the almost 60 million year old obelisks is entwined in a legendary competition between two giants. According to legend, the iconic landscape of rocks was created by the Irish giant, Fionn mac Cumhaill, as part of a duel with his Scottish rival and giant, Benandonner.
The understated design of the Dublin architects from the architectural firm heneghan peng architects mimics the spectacular scenery so well that the building itself becomes part of the landscape. The massive black stone pillars and the vertical windows of the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre echo the imposing shape of the basalt columns. Consequently, the Visitor Centre is hemmed in by the columns. Even the green grass of the roof blends harmoniously into the backdrop of the surrounding fields.

The interior of the Centre is divided into multiple levels. With its classic square shape, the LS 990 series of switches in aluminium from JUNG perfectly complement the cool elegance, natural colouring and ambience of the Visitor Centre. At the ends of the elevated ramps of the circular route through the building, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Causeway. The use of LED lights, light lines and down lights has created an unusual lighting design that allows the facade with its striking geometry to glow in the dark, without revealing the actual light sources. “There is no longer a building and landscape but building becomes landscape and the landscape itself remains spectacular and iconic.” (heneghan peng architects)
The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre was presented with the British BREEAM sustainability certificate thanks to its respectful handling of the environment and the use of local building materials and energy-efficient lighting. The BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the most widely used method of certification for sustainable construction. The Centre was also nominated for the Britain’s RIBA Stirling Prize. The prestigious Stirling Prize is awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture.