Studio Octopi revives art deco pavilion and lido on Scottish coast

The restoration of an art deco pavilion and lido near MacDuff, Aberdeenshire, shortlisted for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, features in this video by photographer Jim Stephenson.

The film is the latest in a series being published by Dezeen in collaboration with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) to highlight the annual award’s 2026 shortlist.

In the video, viewers are shown the Tarlair Outdoor Pool Pavilion, revived by London-based Studio Octopi to bring its tea pavilion and pools fully back into use.

Interior view of Tarlair Outdoor Pool Pavilion

The studio aimed to retain the historic character of the 1930s art deco building, while introducing considered upgrades, including a marble-clad exterior.

“We wanted to pay homage to the art deco period, which the building was originally conceived in,” said Studio Octopi director James Lowe.

“The green came about really in connection with the paint samples that we took off the railings, and it was decided to go with marble that would give resilience to the environment.”

Established in 2002, the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award is an annual award that highlights Scottish projects, with this year’s winner set to be announced on 26 November.

Comprising three reuse projects, RIAS said this year’s shortlisted projects tap into “important conversations around community, collaboration, retrofit and reuse”. Shortlisted alongside the Tarlair Outdoor Pool Pavilion is the Paisley Central Library by Collective Architecture and the Edinburgh Futures Institute by Bennetts Associates.

Last year’s winner was a public park renewed by studios Stallan-Brand and LDA Design.

The film and photography are courtesy of Jim Stephenson.