Dearle and Henderson receive sole Scottish commendation in national RICS Awards 2009

Scottish construction consultants, Dearle and Henderson are delighted to have been commended for their work on the Miners Institute in Lochgelly in the RICS Awards 2009 Grand Final which was held in the Honourable Artillery Company, London on 16th October 2009

After winning the award for regeneration in the regional category of the RICS (Scotland) Awards 2009, The Lochgelly Miners Institute, which was designed by Dearle and Henderson, beat off stiff competition from 12 other projects to receive one of only two commendations within the Community Benefit category of the national RICS 2009 Award. The Judges comments are “We see schemes of all sizes in this category. Irrespective of scale, what always impresses us is the commitment of the people involved, whether a commercial team, a community group or a determined individual.” In this category judges sought to identify evidence of positive local community feedback, improvements to local landscape or streetscape and high levels of public access to the building.

Dearle and Henderson have a long standing involvement in the regeneration of Lochgelly and have completed numerous successful regeneration projects in the Town. The B-listed Miners Institute, which was built in 1923, historically formed the epicentre of Lochgelly social life, but following the decline of mining in the area the building had fallen into disrepair, mirroring the decline of the surrounding area.

Lochgelly Miner’s Institute is seen as central to the regeneration strategy for the Town and the Lochgelly Regeneration Forum identified a gap in adult education in the local community. Dearle & Henderson and Fife HARCA were instrumental in promoting the use of the building as a Technology and Training Centre, supported by Fife Council, Historic Scotland, The Heritage Lottery Fund, ERDF and other funders.

Fife Women’s Technology Centre and the Adam Smith College were approached to provide computer training and trade start-up courses which would help increase the local skills base and kick start either a return to work or full time education for local people.

The clients for the restoration of the building were The Heritage Building Preservation Trust, with Fife HARCA becoming the building owner after completion.  To retain the integrity of the B-listed building Dearle and Henderson architects worked to create a building which retained many original features but also embraced its new contemporary uses.
 
The response to the renovated building has been very positive with courses well attended and over 100 people using the building each day of the week, a great turn-around for a building which was derelict and unused.

Simon Pott, Chairman of the RICS Judging Panel commented “This is a truly wonderful scheme and is a fine example of something produced for a small community that gives a huge boost to local careers."

Dearle and Henderson managing director, David Fisher commented “We have strong links with Lochgelly and a genuine interest in the regeneration of the area.  We are delighted with this high accolade and are especially proud to be involved in the only Scottish project to receive a commendation in the 2009 RICS National Awards.”

Original Owner: Fife Council
Owner/Developer: Heritage Buildings Preservation Trust
Current Owner: Fife HARCA
Architect/Quantity Surveyors: Dearle & Henderson
    Director - David Fisher
    Project leader - Peter Porteous
    Project Architect - Jeremy Watson
    Project QS - Graeme Scott
Conservation Architect: Stephen Newsom
Structural and Civil Engineers: McKinney Nicholson
Mechanical Electrical Engineers: Enconsultant
Main Contractor: Richard Street Ltd
User Clients: Adam Smith College, Fife Women's Technology Centre