Award for Conservation and Climate Change
Historic Environment Scotland announced as part of this year’s RIAS Awards, its 2021 HES Award for Conservation and Climate Change which goes to the Bell Street Stables in Glasgow. More info and short film here at:
RIAS on Twitter: "#RIASAwards @HistEnvScot Conservation & Climate Change Award 🌍 Winner: Bell Street Stables - @Collective_Arch This striking project transforms a Victorian council depot into 52 new homes for @WheatleyHousing, enabling more affordable living in the heart of #Glasgow! https://t.co/nOcTCOn8xH" / Twitter
HES says:” It’s an excellent repair and reuse of a B-listed Victorian former Council depot to provide affordable housing. Conversion of existing buildings by housing associations is often seen as complicated, so we welcome the decision by the Wheatley Housing Association to invest in an existing (and listed) building – a physical reminder of Glasgow’s industrial, horse-powered, heritage.
The conversion retained significant elements of the existing building, including the rare and distinctive horse ramp, which enabled horses to access stables on the upper floors, and a setted series of external deck-access gangways. A series of building elements have been retained and reused, including horse stalls, water fountains and troughs. The car-free courtyard has been re-laid in setts, creating a communal heart to the complex. The project repaired the existing building’s masonry fabric using stone sourced from the original quarry.
The project has also supported local employment and contractors, with the iron access gates repaired by a nearby blacksmiths firm that made the originals well over a century ago. The conversion has provided 52 mid-market flats for rent, giving the building a new lease of life and enabling more affordable living in a characterful historic building in the heart of Glasgow. Its especially important to showcase good examples of sustainable reuse in this crucial year for climate change as Scotland prepares to host COP26. Retaining and reusing the historic buildings we already have will play a key role on our journey to net-zero.”
HES also awarded commendations to:
Edinburgh Printmakers - “This former industrial building, the last remaining part of the famous North British Rubber Company premises, has been repurposed with a fabric first approach, and an emphasis on reusing rather than replacing existing building elements and materials. The polychromatic brickwork, for many years covered in muddy brown paint, is now again a prominent local feature. This rare survival of industrial Edinburgh was derelict and once threatened with loss, being at the centre of an area undergoing significant redevelopment. The Printmakers have given the building a complimentary new public use within an area of rapidly changing streetscape. The conversion project was one of the first Category C listed buildings to be grant aided by HES.”
Water’s Edge Dundee - “Water’s Edge is the transformation of another industrial building, this time a B listed mid-C19th transit shed later extended, immediately adjacent to Dundee’s Camperdown Dock. The previously derelict buildings have been converted into new flexible office space. Original fabric has been retained and exposed, with a new focal entrance tower containing air handling plant with heat recovery, with PV panels on the south facing roofs. The building utilises start technology with access, lighting and heating able to be controlled by user’s smartphones, to help save energy. The development – an interesting model for office-working - has a collegiate atmosphere with its naturally ventilated central ‘street’ and flexible accommodation, including co-working for established and start-up businesses.”
