Bell Street Stables Glasgow Building, Wheatley Housing Association flats for rent, RIAS Awards 2021 Winner, Architect

Bell Street Stables Building Glasgow

Scottish Architecture Prize News: Winning Buildings + Architects in Scotland

10 September 2021

Design: Collective Architecture

RIAS Awards 2021 – Bell Street Stables wins Historic Environment Scotland Conservation and Climate Change Award

Scotland’s national architecture awards

photograph © Andrew Lee

RIAS Award for Bell Street Stables Glasgow

A remarkable conversion of a Victorian council depot to create 52 new homes for affordable rent in the centre of Glasgow has been named as the winner of Historic Environment Scotland’s Conservation and Climate Change Award, a Special Category Award of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland’s (RIAS) Awards.

photo © Andrew Lee

The conversion of Bell Street Stables was designed by Collective Architecture for Wheatley Housing Association, and has provided 52 mid-market flats for rent, enabling more affordable living in a characterful historic building in the heart of Glasgow.

photo © Andrew Lee

Bell Street Stables was originally built in 1896-98 to house the Glasgow City Cleansing Department’s horses, carts and equipment. In converting the vacant Category B listed building, Collective Architecture retained many significant elements of the existing building, including a rare and distinctive horse ramp, which enabled horses to access stables on the upper floors, as well as horse stalls, water fountains and troughs. The car-free courtyard has been re-laid with setts to create a communal heart to the complex.

Before renewal photos:

photo © Andrew Lee

The project repaired the existing building’s masonry fabric using stone sourced from the original quarry, and also supported employment in the city as well as local contractors, with the iron access gates repaired by a nearby blacksmiths firm that made them well over a century ago.

photos © Andrew Lee

Steven Robb, Deputy Head of Historic Buildings within the Planning, Consents and Advice Service at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said:

“In this crucial year for climate action, as Scotland prepares to host COP26, we are delighted to celebrate an outstanding example of the sustainable reuse of our historic environment. Retaining and reusing the historic buildings we already have will play a key role on our journey to net-zero.

“Converting existing buildings is often seen as a challenge for Housing Associations. Therefore, we warmly welcome the decision by Wheatley Housing Association to invest in not only an existing building but a listed building – a physical reminder of Glasgow’s industrial, horse-powered heritage. Together with Collective Architecture, they have given a fascinating building a new lease of life, and created a fantastic place to live in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre.”

Before renewal photos:

photos © Andrew Lee

Two further adaptations of historic Scottish buildings received commendations from the RIAS and Historic Environment Scotland:

• Edinburgh Printmakers by Page\Park Architects – the re-use of a derelict Edinburgh factory as a workspace, gallery, shop and café for Edinburgh Printmakers

• Water’s Edge Dundee by Nicoll Russell Studios – the transformation of a mid-19th century transit shed into new flexible office space for Tayforth Properties

Edinburgh Printmakers, Edinburgh by Page\Park Architects

photo : Jim Stephenson
Edinburgh Printmakers

Water’s Edge, Dundee by Nicoll Russell Studios

photo courtesy of architects practice
Water’s Edge Dundee Workplace Building

RIAS President Christina Gaiger PRIAS said:

“The RIAS is extremely grateful to Historic Environment Scotland for supporting the RIAS/HES Conservation and Climate Change Award. The re-use of existing buildings is a critical element in addressing climate change, preserving our shared heritage, and meeting people’s housing needs. Bell Street Stables demonstrates how architects and clients can work together to breathe new life into old places for the benefit of us all.”

For more information about the winners of the 2021 RIAS Awards visit www.rias.org.uk.

Collective Architecture

RIAS Awards 2021 Winners information from RIAS 020921

Previously on e-architect:

2 September 2021