The stable buildings at Dalkeith date back to 1745 and had lain redundant for recent years. The client brief was to create a new visitor attraction and retail experience which would act as a central hub for the wider 1,000 acre private estate. The stables are Category A listed for significant architectural historic importance, have habitat roosts of European protected species, are set within a wider protected historic designed landscape, and are surrounded by woodlands with tree preservation orders - this all made for a challenging starting point to the project.

The conversion of the stables building group and courtyard to form a destination retail and hospitality experience along with wellness retreat and children’s adventure playpark has rooted in its architectural ethos an approach to conservation and sustainability. The existing building fabric, original timber columns, horse stalls, stonework and windows were all retained and reused. Natural hemp and wood fibre insulation allowed for a green solution to upgrade thermal performance and reduce CO2 emissions with natural ventilation provided to all spaces. Timber from trees felled on the site due to age and poor health were used in the construction and sustainably sourced and certified timber within the adventure park play equipment reinforces the natural woodland setting.

The new extensions were designed to connect visitors with the magnificent mature landscape and provide a different architectural experience from the enclosed courtyard. The extensions are respectful in size and form to the existing historic buildings yet are a contemporary design with the use of timber fins and zinc cladding to bridge the gap between a new 21st century aesthetic and traditional materials of the farmyard setting.

Project Architect from deisgn through to completion whilst working at Malcolm Fraser Architects and Buccleuch Estates.