National Trust Threave Estate Stables Cafe Completed 25/9/2015Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsCharacterful new cafe opens in the garden at Threave, with indoor and outdoor seating.
The National Trust for Scotland have opened a new characterful cafe in the garden at Threave with indoor and outdoor seating. Visitors taking a walk in the garden can now linger and enjoy teas, coffees, homemade soups, delicious cakes and scones in this new cosy cafe.
The design evokes the story of the stable block and refers to horses, gardening and the warmth of an old shed. Old books, recycled wood and materials create an inviting and comfortable experience for all seasons.
This project involved the conversion of a Grade B Listed historic building, making use of the skills of our Accredited Conservation Architects.
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Certified Passive House Designer Accreditation 14/7/2015Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsJonathan Potter has been approved as a Certified Passive House Designer.
Jonathan Potter has been approved as a Certified Passive House Designer by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany, enabling us to provide advanced design of very low energy housing using Passive House principles. Passive House can also be applied to non-domestic projects and to retrofit projects to improve existing buildings.
We have already completed the UK’s most northerly certified Passive House, located in Kirkwall, Orkney.
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First houses in Orkney to achieve Silver Active Sustainability Label 17/3/2015Robert Potter and PartnersNo Comments4 affordable houses at Orphir are the first to achieve Silver Active level in sustainability. Here’s how:
We have just completed 4 affordable houses at Orphir for Orkney Housing Association. These are the first houses in Orkney to achieve the Silver Active Sustainability Label as defined in the Scottish Building Standards.
Here is how we did it.
The Silver Standard requirements (“Aspects”) are:
Aspect 1: CO2 emissions to be 21.4% lower than normally required by Building Standards. This was achieved using better insulation standards, high performance windows and doors, efficient heating system, and WWHR (waste water heat recovery) at the showers.
Aspect 2: Maximum energy demand for houses to be no greater than 40kWh/sq.m.
Aspect 3: At least 5% of hot water annual energy to be from solar assist or grey water heat recovery. To achieve this required the WWHR unit at the showers. We used the BRE calculator to demonstrate the energy reduction.
Aspect 4: Water use efficiency:
Low flush volume WCs 4.5 litres max.
WHB flow rates 6 litres per minute max.
Showers 8 litres per minute max.
Each house has an external water butt for rainwater harvesting with 200 litre capacity.
Aspect 5: Quick Start Guide for occupants.
Aspect 6: Flexibility & adaptability: Space for home office desk and associated electrical points (also required by Housing for Varying Needs).
Aspect 7: Well-being and security:
Enhanced noise reduction between rooms (heavier plasterboard / extra layer of plasterboard)
Enhanced natural daylighting
13amp spur for security alarm
Aspect 8: Internal space for recycling bins.
We achieved “Silver Active” standard by also using air source heat pumps as a renewable heating source.
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GIA Awards Sustainability Commendation 17/11/2014Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsMiddleburn Cottage receives the Glasgow Institute of Architects Commendation for Sustainable Design.
The Glasgow Institute of Architects have given a Commendation for Sustainable Design to our project which restored and extended Middleburn Cottage.
The key approach to the project was preservation where at all possible of the existing fabric in order to retain the historic integrity of the cottage, together with the use of breathable materials and traditional building methods. There was also an approach not to pristinely restore the building by the removal of later alterations such as the brick built chimneystacks and brickwork inbands to the byre door opening, thereby maximising the historic integrity and “telling the story” of the building.
There was to be no unnecessary disturbance or destruction of the building fabric, no matter how minor. If any part of the fabric needed to be replaced on a like-for-like basis to match the existing then this was treated as the absolute last resort. Any part of the existing fabric that could not be repaired was considered for a new use to further enhance the historic character of the restored building.
100 year old newspapers which were found as part of the work were incorporated into the interior. The old front door was beyond repair and was used as the end gable of the kitchen units.
The Client carried out several works themselves due to their willingness to learn new traditional conservation methods, to improve their practical conservation skills and to increase their attachment to the existing cottage, with the result being a dwelling with plenty of character and rustic charm.
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Britain’s Best Stargazing Locations 11/8/2014Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsGlenmalloch Lodge has been recommended in The Telegraph as one of the best locations for stargazing.
Glenmalloch Lodge has been recommended in The Telegraph as one of the best locations for stargazing. It sits in an area where the skies are unspoiled by artificial lighting and clear nights give spectacular views of the sky.
Find out more about this Landmark Trust holiday home at www.landmarktrust.org.uk
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RIAS Conservation Accreditation for Douglas Bodell 24/7/2014Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsDouglas Bodell, Associate, is now our third architect to achieve RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture.
Hot on the heels of Paul Moffat, Douglas Bodell, Associate, has also been granted RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture. We now have three architects accredited to reflect our expertise in historic building work.
Uncategorized No Comments » RIAS Conservation Accreditation for Paul Moffat 16/6/2014Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsPaul Moffat, Associate, has been granted RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture.
Paul Moffat, Associate, has been granted RIAS Accreditation in Conservation Architecture. This reflects Paul’s extensive experience of working on the restoration, repair and conservation of historic buildings and monuments.
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Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year 28/2/2014Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsOpera House in Kilmarnock wins Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year.
Opera House in Kilmarnock by KLIN Group was named Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year at the Scottish Property Awards ceremony last night. The building had been devastated by fire and had lain derelict for 22 years. We were responsible for Conservation Architect input for retention of the 1875 historic facade.
The awards attracted 61 entries and Marie Macklin, Chairwoman of KLIN Group said,
Uncategorized No Comments »We are thrilled to have been recognised by the Scottish Property Awards for our work and commitment to the Kilmarnock Opera House development. This is a project very close to my heart, which succeeded due to tenacity, innovation and partnership working. I’m incredibly proud of this restoration project and the benefits it has delivered.
Pinder Awards 23/12/2013Robert Potter and PartnersNo CommentsDrumbrae Care Home one of three Dementia Care finalists in the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards.
Drumbrae Care Home is one of three finalists in the category of Best Smaller Dementia Care Home in the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards. Our client, City of Edinburgh Council, will receive a trophy and a £500 cheque for a charity of their choice.
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