The Haining

The Haining is an A Listed Palladian House (c1795-1820) on the edge of Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and the Haining Charitable Trust have embarked on a long term project to revitalise the house, the grounds and out buildings after it was left by the former owner to the People of Selkirkshire.
The first stage of this process was the completion of an extensive options appraisal exercise fronted by Lee Boyd and a broad team of consultants and experts. The study looked at possibilities for the entire estate and dealt with landscaping, conservation issues (conservation plan) and heritage value. The preferred option and in keeping with the aspirations of the project benefactor was to transform the Haining into a rich cultural resource, supporting local and national creativity.
The first phase of this long term project was to convert the former coach house and loose boxes in the stables courtyard to create flexible studio workshop spaces. A modest project in comparison to potential proposals elsewhere on the estate, but viewed as an appropriate initial step and a catalyst for advancing more ambitious ideas in the future when funding was available. The A listed period stables courtyard sits slightly detached from the main house but presents main elevations to the loch and to the approaches to the house.
This first phase project, completed in the autumn of 2013 project was principally funded by ERDF and Historic Scotland and provides 6 small units accessed from the courtyard. Each unit has a small tea/prep area and accessible toilet with open plan working space. The four units in the coach house wings also have mezzanine spaces over these ancillary facilities which provide administration and storage space.
The conversion to a new use has been handled with care and attention to the historic fabric in consultation with Historic Scotland, whilst providing modern and comfortable work spaces. The ten impressive archways of the coach houses remain intact with the new slim line aluminium glazing passing behind the arches to avoid a conflict between existing stonework and new fabric. The internal spaces are uncomplicated and retain the volumes of the original spaces, but now with thermally efficient linings to roofs and walls.
At the point of handover, the Haining Charitable Trust had four potential tenants including a weaver, costume designer, photographer and painter. A mix of creative enterprise that very much supports the long term cultural vision for the Haining.
Design team :
Quantity Surveyor : Morham & Brotchie Limited
Structural Engineer : David Narro Associates
Services Engineer : Max Fordham
Main Contractor : James Swinton & Co

Credits : Photographs by : Graeme Duncan

“SHBT has worked with Lee Boyd over a number of years at The Haining in Selkirk – from an initial Options Appraisal on the whole estate which set out the masterplan for future development, through to the successful completion of the first phase to convert the stables to Artists Workshops and the current second phase project which is to undertake external repairs to the mansion house.

Lee Boyd were initially selected to work on the Haining as they impressed the panel with their sensitive and freshness of approach in dealing with adaptation of historic buildings, something which has been recognised in the awards that the project on the stables has been receiving since its completion in 2013.

SHBT’s role at the Haining is as Project Manager, working on behalf of a small and recently founded Haining Charitable Trust. We have found Lee Boyd very easy to work with, passionate about the project, often going above and beyond the course of duty in assisting ourselves and the Haining Trust, both in delivering the project, but also working with the wider community of Selkirk. We look forward to working with Lee Boyd again in the future, hopefully on one of our own projects.”

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‘Finding appropriate and sustainable new uses for historic buildings is always a challenge. Within these archways, new studio workshops optimise the use of the existing spaces with minimal disruption to their historic character’

RIAS jury for 2014 Awards Shortlist

The Haining