Mon 25th January 2010

Barony Centre 2010

The Barony Project Team rounded off the last year’s activities by selecting the Lead Consultant who will be responsible for completing the detailed design and project managing the construction phase of the Barony Centre. A short list of six extremely strong candidates was interviewed mid-December and WKCIL is delighted to have secured the services of Kevin Cooper, Director of the Glasgow office of Archial Architects, and his talented and experienced team. 

Barony Project Team Leader Angus Kerr, local resident and recently retired Director of BDP, one of this country’s highly respected architectural practices, said “Kevin is a Director in the Glasgow Office of one of the largest group of Architects in the UK. He has specialised for many years in the design of Community projects - in particular Education buildings - which have won several awards. This year his Office was recognised by winning the Scottish 'Oscar' for Architecture, the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award - worth £25,000. Kevin lives with his wife Cathy in West Kilbride in a house that they jointly designed and which won a coveted Saltire Society Award...will his next Award be for the completed Barony Project - we confidently expect so!”

Kevin and his colleagues have already begun work on the detailed design scheme, with refinements to the plans already creating a buzz of excitement within the Barony Project Team. Kevin’s enthusiasm for the project and commitment to the village is clear in his reaction to the practice’s selection, “Archial Architects are delighted to be involved in this interesting and innovative project. We are confident that the project will become a real catalyst for the further development of West Kilbride as an innovative centre for craft in Scotland. We are enjoying working with a creative and inspiring project team, and we sincerely hope that our developing design will reflect this creative collaboration in a genuinely exciting and stimulating project, ultimately resulting in a revitalised building that is of great benefit to the entire community”

WKCIL is sensitive to the role the building has played as a church and burial ground over centuries and Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd, who have significant expertise in working on Church sites, have been commissioned to survey  the area and record the information for future historians and local residents.

Website Link: http://www.archialgroup.com/group-home

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