Latest news with #CollectiveArchitecture
The National
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Robert Burns historic home to be saved as architect firm appointed
The award-winning firm Collective Architecture has been appointed to develop plans to save the A-listed building by the charity responsible for safeguarding Ellisland Farm and Museum near Dumfries. Built in 1788, the farmstead is recognised as a site of exceptional historic and cultural importance as it is where Burns wrote a third of his creative output, including famous works such as Auld Lang Syne and Tam o' Shanter. Earlier plans for a new-built visitor centre on the site have been scaled back to focus solely on adapting and conserving the historic buildings, which several reports have assessed as being 'at-risk'. READ MORE: Scotland's first ever children's hospice announces major £17 million revamp Led by Emma Fairhurst and Gerry Hogan of Collective Architecture, the team will develop proposals to reverse historic damage to the 18th-century buildings, provide a safe home for the museum collection, and adapt certain structures to serve as event and education spaces. Fairhurst welcomed the announcement, stating that Collective Architecture aims to ensure the legacy of the building is preserved. She said: 'It is a privilege to be appointed to lead the design team for Ellisland Farm, a site of deep historical and cultural value. 'We look forward to working closely with The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust to restore and enhance this remarkable place, ensuring its legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.' The cottage that Burns built for his wife, Jean Armour, will also be restored as closely as possible to its original 1788 condition. Modern alterations will be removed to create an 'immersive historical experience' for visitors while a visitor accommodation will also be included in the plans to revamp the farm aiming to give people the chance to host creative retreats and workshops so that future generations of artists can also 'see nature through the poet's eyes'. The design work is part of the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise, Museums Galleries Scotland, and The Holywood Trust. Joan McAlpine, project director of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne, said: 'The Trust was impressed by Collective's collaborative approach and their outstanding track record in conservation-led adaptive reuse. 'We particularly admired their work on other A-listed sites such as the restoration of the Calton Hill Observatory in Edinburgh and the James Watt Institute in Greenock. 'Both projects involved the sensitive adaptation of heritage buildings housing important collections. 'Now that we are focused on delivering our vision using the A-listed farm buildings, Collective's expertise made them our first choice.' (Image: Wimbledon Auctions/PA Wire) Collective Architecture, which owns studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee, is one of several consultants appointed to the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project. Peebles-based Abound will develop an interpretation plan for the site, while Rob Robinson Heritage will produce a revised business plan. In addition, Peter Thierfeldt, whose previous experience includes The Willow Tea Rooms, The Citizens Theatre, and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, has been appointed Director of Development to lead a major international fundraising campaign. The development stage of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne is projected to cost more than £900,000 and could unlock more than £1.2 million from the Heritage Fund to help deliver the completed project.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Two castles and a prison on RIAS best buildings list
Eleven buildings have been named as winners of the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awards. The buildings include two restored castles, a road bridge, a whisky distillery and Scotland's newest prison and young offender 11 winners will now become the "longlist" for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland shortlist will be announced in July ahead of the winner being revealed in November. Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness, by Ptolemy Dean Architects The Category A-listed Aldourie Castle has been conserved and all the surrounding estate buildings restored as well as new ones added, including farm buildings, an energy centre, a boathouse and a pedestrian bridge. The judges admired how the project reconnected the disparate buildings to their romantic setting. Caoghan na Creige, Isle of Harris, by Izat Arundell The stone-clad building blends into the rugged Hebridean landscape, giving the home the appearance of a modern-day blackhouse. The judges described the project as a testament to what can be achieved through patience, skill and a profound respect for place. Ellengowan Regeneration, Dundee, by Collective Architecture Ellengowan Regeneration replaces 124 deteriorating flats with 130 affordable is a mix of housing including accessible flats, cottage flats, family terraced houses and a corner shop. The judges praised the project's inclusive approach which balances modern needs with heritage preservation. Fairburn Tower, Muir of Ord, Highland by Simpson & Brown Architects Built in the 16th Century and added to in the 17th, this remote Category A listed structure had fallen into a ruinous state. The judges described Fairburn Tower as an exemplar project, where restoration and reconstruction are beautifully accomplished, while also delivering characterful holiday accommodation. Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Gairnshiel, Aberdeenshire by Moxon Architects The Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge provides a new route over the River Gairn, eliminating the lengthy detours and delays caused by frequent structural damage to the 18th Century crossing as it was no longer suitable for modern-day traffic. The judges described the project as a fine example of how to integrate a modern vehicular bridge into a sensitive landscape. HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Stirling by Holmes Miller Architects The building is billed as a "fundamental rethinking of custodial environments in Scotland".It supports women in custody through spaces that are intended to promote dignity, equality and meaningful judges praised it as a model of how public buildings can be both operationally robust and deeply humane. Kinloch Lodge, Lairg, by GRAS Kinloch Lodge is a "light-touch" conservation project which aims to maintain the charming and idiosyncratic nature of the original mid-19th Century lodge and its said each has been lovingly, painstakingly and respectfully restored exactly as they were found, using traditional methods and judges said the architects' involvement is refreshingly understated and thoroughly respectful of the original buildings. The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh, by Sheppard Robson The building is described by RIAS as a new heart for the University of Edinburgh which unites teaching, learning and social spaces. The judges described the Nucleus Building as a deftly executed piece of civic architecture. Riverside Primary School, Perth, by Architype Riverside Primary School is the first Passivhaus-certified school in judges described it as an exemplary project, which will serve as an inspiring model for the design of schools in Scotland and across the UK. Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk, by MLA The Rosebank Distillery had been considered lost but it has been carefully jury was impressed by the design team, who navigated complex constraints including contamination, conservation, coal mining risk and listed structures. They said the retention and restoration of the chimney, lockkeeper's cottage and red-brick buildings reflect a commitment to memory and place. Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, by Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design RIAS said this transformation of a long-neglected civic space reclaimed Union Terrace Gardens as Aberdeen's green heart. The judges praised the project as a benchmark in public-realm regeneration, demonstrating the power of sensitive, people-centred design to transform a city's sense of place.
