Conservation

As a key sector for the practice, the conversion or restoration of historic buildings features throughout our portfolio. From the first façade retention in Glasgow at the Clydesdale Bank in Buchanan Street to the extensive restoration work at Dean Castle in Kilmarnock (pictured), we breathe new life into these heritage structures. With an extensive track record in property repair for various churches, local authorities and other clients, our conservation team has much experience to offer.

EXPERIENCE

Our conservation team can demonstrate work on a wide variety of listed buildings and conservation area services. Conservation work is routinely required across all the work sectors covered by the practice;

CARS projects
Castles
Cemeteries
Churches
Condition surveys
Healthcare buildings
HES ARCH reports
MAMP & CAMP submissions
Offices
Quinquennial surverys
Schools & Universities
Tombs & mausoleums

Regular consultation with local authority Planning departments and with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as well as close liaision with specialist contractors and suppliers, ensures that we are well placed to advise on this type of highly specialised work.

LISTED BUILDINGS

The practice has worked on an enormous catalogue of listed buildings that very often includes working to buildings erected by the office in the past and which have subsequently become listed. Some project examples follow;

Mauchline CARS, 2021-25, £1m. We currently have around 10 external fabric repairs projects as part of the CARS scheme. The first projects are expected to be on site in the latter half of 2023.

East Ayrshire Council, 2017-23, £5m. Dean Castle. Restoration of an 'A' listed keep (pictured above), palace, gatehouse & laundry building, with associated landscaping.

North Ayrshire Council, 2022, £200k, Harbour Master's House. Repairs to listed house as Phase 1 of a commercial redvelopment project.

University of Strathclyde, 2022, £250k, Royal College. 'B' listed building in the heart of Glasgow's conservation area. Works involve the upgrading of an original lecture theatre.

East Ayrshire Council, 2019-20, £50k. Palace Theatre. 'A' listed former corn exchange. Works progressed from condition survey to a rolling programme of refurbishment works.

East Ayrshire Council, 2014-19, £50k. Hans Hamilton Tomb. Preservation of a c17th ‘A’ listed tomb (pictured) involving the remediation of water ingress to allow the reinstatement of unique marble statues. Lighting & interpretation panels also included as well works with specialist marble conservators.

SURVEYS & REPORTS

Examples of some of the above noted works include;

East Ayrshire Council, 2018/23. Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock. Internal and external condition survey with detailed report and recommendations, including phasing strategy.

East Ayrshire Council, 2018/23. Condition surveys of all properties within Mauchline Conservation Area to support their bid to Historic Environment Scotland for Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding. Several of these external fabric repair projects are now proceeding through the CARS initiative.

South Ayrshire Council, 2018. Maybole, Conservation Architectural services for the production of a Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP) and Management and Maintenance Plan (MAMP) for Maybole Town Centre to support a Stage 2 Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

South Ayrshire Council, 2018. The Maybole project was followed by the production of a detailed guide of suggested shopfronts with illustrations for issue to the owners of listed buildings in the area.

Quinquennial surveys: Numerous surveys for different church Presbytery areas have been commissioned over several years. Extensive surveys of churches, manses and halls have also been undertaken.