Commercial, Design Case Studies

Skoda Garage | West End Stirling

New showroom for Stirling SKODA

Creating a new modern facility for this iconic brand.

Brief

In 2016 Bell Ingram Design (BID) was appointed to design a new showroom for Skoda West End located in Stirling. The basis of the design was to create new modern facility positioned on a site by Forthside Way, located approximately half a mile from the city centre. The new premises includes showroom space for eight cars and contains a workshop garage for MOT services.

Process

The existing area was to be cleared of trees and shrubs and de-stoned to include a grass edge to the site. The selected location for the showroom presented challenging ground conditions, consequently, the design was approached with careful consideration of the building’s foundation.

Outcome

A crucial part of the brief was to incorporate a variety of signage for Skoda which was visible from all relevant approaches to the site for heightened consumer interaction. This was to include branded flags, logo walls on active frontages and a prominent entrance portal for customers. Internally, a mezzanine level was included to create more floor area which contains an additional manager office and meeting space with glazed screening to overlook the double height showroom below.

Our people

Skoda Garage | West End Stirling

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    Our people

    Iain Cram

    Iain Cram

    Architect
    Design
    Tel: 01738 621 121

    About: Iain is Partner in charge of Bell Ingram Design. His main role is working with clients on projects from the initial concept, through site searches, funding challenges and statutory consents. He's an experienced and talented architect with a long track record, working on a diverse range of projects from small scale residential through to large public, commercial, residential and tourism builds. Interests: Architecture, Building Surveying, Trustee of the Scottish Lime Centre, a highly respected historic building skills training centre.

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      Article posted on 01/09/2022

      Agricultural / Forestry, Commercial, Design Case Studies

      FLS Low Carbon Build | Durris

      Low Carbon Build, Aberdeenshire

      Creating a low carbon office for Forestry and Land Scotland’s Durris Depot near Banchory.

      Brief

      Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing our national forests and land. With around 1,000 employees, they operate numerous offices, hubs, depots, visitor centres and a fleet of vehicles for travel and forestry use. Taking action on everyday working practices is vital for FLS to become a greener organisation and to help reach Net Zero, they are looking closely at their infrastructure to ensure everything they do makes them more sustainable.

      Bell Ingram Design was engaged to design a low carbon office for FLS’s Durris Depot near Banchory. Along with the construction of the new building, the brief also included extensive upgrades to the external yard areas to provide additional parking and improvements to the day-to-day operation of the depot.

      The goal was to create a sustainable and inclusive workplace which embedded our client’s green objectives in its design, construction and running.

      The project was led by senior architect Murray Fleming, supported by senior architectural technologist Scott Ramsay and architectural technologist Lauren Livingston.

      Process

      A flexible fit-out created a building which meets the needs of both staff members and site visitors. There are no allocated desks, instead the office allows for quick laptop connection at any workstation by any user. Collaboration spaces and an external terrace further extend the flexibility of the working environment.

      Building materials reflect the build’s low carbon credentials with castor-oil-based open cell spray insulation providing exceptional air tightness and sustainably sourced larch cladding used for the timber exterior.

      Elsewhere, aluminium clad timber windows and doors combine the low embodied energy of timber with the long-term performance of aluminium (and its ability to recycle at end of building life). Aluminium profile sheeting is used on the roof as well, again for its longevity and recycling credentials.

      To minimise energy consumption, the orientation and glazing maximise passive solar energy gains, with external louvres providing protection from summer overheating. Summer cooling is enhanced by sliding doors to the staff room and main office. All lighting is LED although the high levels of daylighting reduces the need for artificial lighting.

      Heating, which provides all hot water, is from an air source heat pump serving water-based underfloor heating. With 100% renewable electricity available this approach allows the building to operate with a fully renewable energy source.

      Outcome

      Embracing the Civil Service’s ‘smarter working’ principles of using technology, property and leadership to give workers more flexibility over how, when and where they work has enabled Bell Ingram Design to create an optimised, low carbon workplace for our client which demonstrates FLS’s commitment to sustainability as they strive to become a greener organisation and ultimately reach their Net Zero goal.

      The project demonstrated Bell Ingram Design’s full range of expertise which encompassed taking the project from inception to completion. This included: design, building warrant approval, tender package and contract administration during construction.

      In many ways Durris offers a glimpse into the future of workplace construction. Although builds like this are still the exception, we hope to encourage others in the sector to consider the benefits of using sustainable materials, making renewable energy choices and incorporating smarter working principles.

      Our people

      Murray Fleming

      Murray Fleming

      Senior Associate, Architect
      Design
      Tel: 01463 717 799

      About: As Senior Architect based in Bell Ingram’s Beauly office, Murray is responsible for the company's architectural services covering the Highlands and Islands. He has extensive design and project management experience in a wide range of building sectors, including residential, commercial, public and healthcare. Interests: Full architectural design service, Planning advice & submissions, Feasibility studies, Condition surveys, Building warrant advice & submissions, Administration of construction contracts.

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        Our people

        FLS Low Carbon Build | Durris

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          Our people

          Lauren Livingston

          Lauren Livingston

          Associate, Architectural Technologist
          Design
          Tel: 01307 462 516

          About: Lauren joined Bell Ingram Design in 2017 with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology. Following her success in winning the student CIAT Aspiration Award, she has continued to be an active member of CIAT as an Associate Member. Lauren works from our Forfar office providing assistance to our Principal Architects and Planner on projects throughout the country. Interests: Architecture, Building Conservation, BIM (Building Information Modelling), Sustainability.

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            Article posted on 29/03/2022

            Commercial, Conservation, Design Case Studies

            The Webster Memorial Theatre | Arbroath

            The Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath

            Award-winning project transformed historic theatre into a modern and fully compliant visitor attraction.

            Brief

            Our client Angus Council engaged Bell Ingram Design in 2004 to fully refurbish and transform the historic Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath into a modern visitor attraction and improve the overall audience experience. Externally the Main Façade, built in 1867, was in poor condition with the stonework badly eroded and spalling, plus there was a particular focus on Health and Safety and the Disability Discrimination Act, with the theatre facing closure if not swiftly brought up to acceptable standards.

            Process

            A grant from the Town Heritage Initiative was sufficient to fully fund the renovation of the external stonework. Improvements were made to the provision of public spaces including the creation of an attractive and inviting entrance area and foyer. The main auditorium was completely remodelled to significantly enhance sightlines, lighting sound and acoustics, with disabled access fully integrated with the overall design. Radical enhancements to the Assembly Hall provided additional multi-function performance and conference space. Work on the theatre also tied into an opportunity to improve the existing streetscape.

            Outcome

            The Webster Theatre is now a fully accessible, multi-functional and successful professional theatre. The success of the project can be demonstrated by the range of awards it has received since opening in January 2008. The theatre received the award for Best Example of Environmental Improvement/Conservation 2008 from the Dundee Institute of Architects, the Ron MacFarlane Award for the Best Accessible Building in Angus in 2008 and the Angus Council 2009 Excellence Award for Project of the Year.

            Our people

            The Webster Memorial Theatre | Arbroath

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              Our people

              The Webster Memorial Theatre | Arbroath

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                Article posted on 21/07/2020

                Commercial, Conservation, Design Case Studies, Residential

                City of Brechin | Townscape Heritage Initiative

                Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative

                Public Sector funded restoration project to transform historic row of 19th century, gable-ended buildings.

                Brief

                Bell Ingram Design was appointed as Project Architect and Lead Consultant on seven linked projects within the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). The work centred on a historic row of early 19th century, gable-ended buildings along 29-33 High Street. The main project was the conversion of a derelict property. into three apartments and ground floor retail space. We were also appointed by the neighbouring owners on both sides of this property to carry out external restoration, plus THI grants also enabled BI Design to complete external improvements on four further communally owned properties within this key area. Brechin THI was a five-year, £2.9 million project funded by Angus Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Scotland (Historic Environment Heritage Fund – Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme).

                Process

                29-33 High Street was one of a number of similar, historic properties located on Brechin High Street. The overriding character of the buildings was based more on the consistency and use of locally sourced building materials rather than on a particular architectural style; the quality of design being attributed to the skill of local artisans. However, the row had fallen into dereliction because Brechin’s historically low property prices meant that the cost of conversion back to a habitable standard exceeded the property’s value once refurbished. The appointment of BI Design to carry out work on properties adjacent to 29-33 High Street meant that we were able to apply a consistent approach to the grouping as a whole. As each property had a different client (sometimes multiple clients), the works were restricted by budget to a greater or lesser extent and had to be carefully prioritised. 

                Outcome

                Being a high-profile site within the centre of Brechin it was important to minimise any disruption caused to the local community by scaffolding. The construction works were completed within budget and with no complaints received from residents or businesses. Restoration of the 19th century row has greatly enhanced Brechin’s existing streetscape which Angus Council believes will in turn help to raise the spirits of Brechiners and attract new jobs and investment. Retail space and apartments within the Arrowpoint developments are now occupied and, importantly, the value of each property has been enhanced by applying a consistent approach across the row.

                Our people

                City of Brechin | Townscape Heritage Initiative

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                  Our people

                  City of Brechin | Townscape Heritage Initiative

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                    Article posted on 26/06/2019

                    Commercial, Conservation, Design Case Studies

                    Marshall Monument | Perth & Kinross Council

                    Marshall Monument Refurbishment

                    Historic city centre project to replace copper and cupola on landmark building in Perth’s Cultural Quarter.

                    Brief

                    Perth and Kinross Council instructed Bell Ingram Design to replace the failing copper skin and cupola on the Grade B Listed Marshall Monument, which is part of Perth Museum and Art Gallery. The internal cast iron structure needed refurbishment, and the inside and outside of the Marshall Monument required re-decorating. Management of a city centre site where the boundary is the physical edge of the building required detailed planning of the construction process with strict constraints placed on the contractor in terms of site compound, deliveries and security.

                    Process

                    To avoid negative press for our client, the existing copper was replaced with a pre-patinated copper sheet matching the colour of the copper sheeting which was removed, and the cupola was completely replaced with a new steel structure and glazing to provide adequate ventilation as well as a water tight skin. The internal cast iron structure was completely stripped back by hand and treated with anti-corrosion coatings. New floors were constructed within the actual dome to provide easier access for future maintenance and repairs.

                    Outcome

                    The project was successfully completed on time and within budget, and despite the difficult site restraints, with no complaints received from local residents or businesses. This was particularly important to the client as the Marshall Monument is a much-loved Perth landmark, and all aspects of the construction work came under close scrutiny from public, press and business community. 

                    Testimonial

                    “Bell Ingram has worked for Perth and Kinross Council for a number of years. The quality of professional services and technical competence has always been to a very high standard.” –  Alistair Cummings , Perth and Kinross Council, Maintenance and Projects Officer.

                    Our people

                    Iain Cram

                    Iain Cram

                    Architect
                    Design
                    Tel: 01738 621 121

                    About: Iain is Partner in charge of Bell Ingram Design. His main role is working with clients on projects from the initial concept, through site searches, funding challenges and statutory consents. He's an experienced and talented architect with a long track record, working on a diverse range of projects from small scale residential through to large public, commercial, residential and tourism builds. Interests: Architecture, Building Surveying, Trustee of the Scottish Lime Centre, a highly respected historic building skills training centre.

                    Get in touch

                    We'd love to hear from you, use the form below to email me direct

                      Article posted on 01/04/2018