IG Masonry: Royal Highland Agricultural Society Scotland

IG Masonry delivered a stunning masonry design for a single-storey, newly built pavilion in Edinburgh as a multi-use event space for the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) in Ingliston, near the Scottish capital.

Designed by architect Holmes Miller, managed by contractor Robertson Central East and featuring subcontractor Haymarket Limited, the Royal Highland Centre pavilion is a newly built, 18,800 square foot, hospitality and events space. Completed in 2021, this pavilion, capable of hosting for 361 days of the year, and home to the RHASS body of more than 18,000 members, had to be capable of accommodating a range of events, including conferences, meetings and weddings.

The Challenge

For this new multi-use event space, the client requested materials of facing brick, precast concrete, and red cedar cladding to suit the contextual environment, providing character and visual identity, including a floating brick appearance underneath window openings as well as the entrance to the building. To meet such requirements, IG Masonry Support manufactured and supplied a number of components such as Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S. units and Brick Slip Lintels. 

IG Masonry Support was chosen as their product was able to provide the aesthetically pleasing architectural detail required. 

As a new client, communication was integral to this project as the appointed contractor was not familiar with IG Masonry Support’s products. To overcome this, they liaised with and educated them on the products and how they can be used and installed on this particular building. Additionally, this was the first time that IG Masonry Support had tackled this type of brick bond pattern which needed to match the pattern of the brick on the building, this had to be exact and IG Masonry liaised directly with the contractor to ensure this was signed off before delivering to site. 

The Solution

The importance of creating a visually appealing aesthetic was integral to this project, meeting the client’s intricate requirements whilst also considering scale, texture and colour of the masonry provided. 

The specialist glazed doorways at the front of the pavilion, expanding to the corners of the building, meant that our Welded Masonry Support was an excellent product option, carefully designed to the client specifications. 

The B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit System) product used on this project is a lightweight, stainless steel, pre-fabricated brick slip soffit system designed to be effortlessly bolted to IG’s Welded Masonry Support to create spectacular brick soffits. This product gave the illusion of a completely hidden structural steelwork, delivering a seamless look. The installation of these units was fast and efficient, reducing time on site as the B.O.S.S. units are 70% lighter than equivalent concrete units. 

IG Masonry Support’s BBA approved Brick Slip Lintels were a great product for the clients end goal. The IG Brick Slip Lintels are lightweight and adaptable as they can be designed to suit variations in shape. Installation was also sped up as this product does not require brick cutting on-site and reduces the need for Masonry Support in certain applications. Additionally, Brick Slip Lintels were required for alternate entrances throughout the building, creating a stunning brick effect detail for all door openings.

The breadth of products used has allowed the architect and contractor to achieve the finish they required in a cost effective and efficient way. The end aesthetic of the building matched the existing unique brickwork and concealed the steel components, forming a showpiece pavilion to reflect the new, forward-thinking organisation.  

The creation of this pavilion and its stunning aesthetics will ensure that the Royal Highland Agricultural Society Scotland have a striking, modern event space and can continue with the great work they are doing for Scottish agriculture.  

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