Cooper & MacGregor - Chartered Architect

09/09/2026

Granite construction - This isn't a modern cavity-wall house.

Aberdeen's traditional granite buildings were constructed very differently from modern homes.

This property has substantial solid granite walls; approximately 290–575mm thick in places, together with suspended timber floors, basement construction and a traditional timber and slate roof.

These buildings have stood for generations, but improving their energy efficiency requires care.

Heat, moisture and ventilation all need to be considered together.

Traditional buildings need traditional-building thinking.

08/09/2026

1904 → 2026

Same house. More than 120 years apart.

Comparing the original building warrant drawings with the house today gives us a fascinating insight into what has survived, what has changed and how the building has evolved.

When upgrading an older property, this history matters.

Before asking “How much insulation can we add?”, we think there’s a more important question:

“How does this building actually work?”

That question shaped our approach to this project.

07/09/2026

A glimpse back to 1904…

We’ve been researching the history of a traditional Aberdeen granite home as part of a whole-house retrofit feasibility study.

One of the best finds has been the original 1904 building warrant drawings, showing how the house was originally designed and constructed more than 120 years ago.

For us, this is where sensitive retrofit starts — understanding the building before deciding how to change it.

Understand the building first. Retrofit it second.

05/09/2026

🏛️ Doors Open Days 2026

A fantastic day exploring some of Aberdeen’s wonderful historic buildings and architectural treasures.

Today I visited Freemasons Hall, St John the Evangelist Scottish Episcopal Church and Gilcomston Church — each with its own fascinating history, incredible craftsmanship and beautiful architectural details.

From ornate plasterwork and painted ceilings to stunning stained glass, it was a brilliant opportunity to look beyond the everyday and appreciate some of Aberdeen’s remarkable built heritage.

A big thank you to everyone who opened their doors and shared their knowledge and enthusiasm today!

25/06/2026

Two qualifications in one week.

Angela is delighted to have completed the AECB Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) course.

As architects, we increasingly need to consider not only how buildings perform in use, but also the carbon impact of the materials and construction methods we specify.

This training strengthens our ability to assess and reduce the whole-life carbon impact of projects, supporting more sustainable design decisions from the earliest stages.

A valuable addition to our expertise in Passive House design, energy consultancy and sustainable retrofit.

24/06/2026

Good news!

Angela Cooper has achieved the GQA Level 2 Award in Awareness of the Principles of Non-Domestic Retrofit and PAS 2038, adding to her qualifications as a Passive House Designer and Energy Consultant.

Many existing buildings can be made more comfortable, healthier and cheaper to run through thoughtful retrofit and energy improvement measures. Understanding how buildings perform in practice is becoming increasingly important as energy costs rise and sustainability targets become more demanding.

Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovation or extension, or a business looking to improve the performance of an existing building, Cooper & MacGregor can help identify practical ways to reduce energy use while improving comfort and building quality.

Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to discuss a project.

24/01/2026

So pleased to see the final phase of this project now complete. The redundant former bank located in the centre of Turriff has now been fully transformed into a bar and b**r garden with fully en suited rooms to let on the first floor.

18/07/2025

Great morning for a roof inspection 😎

15/05/2025

Lovely to see one of our projects featured 🥰 it's definitely a pub though not a pud 😁

🍻 TSB in Turriff turned into a pub a few years ago.

🏦➡️🍺 Locals gave the old branch a new lease of life (and kept the name).

🌞 There are plans for a new pergola – perfect timing for the sunshine.

Read more from Planning Ahead here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0k3ZkP0

📸 The former Turriff TSB was turned into a pub a few years ago. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

09/04/2025

Great site visit yesterday, we loved getting close up to the underside of the dome 😊