05/12/2025
AJ Architecture Awards 2025.
We are delighted to have our recently completed Biggar Youth Project highly commended in the refurb category of the 2025 AJ Architecture Awards. Congratulations to the Biggar Youth Project SCIO, the contractor McCann Builders, and the other consultants involved, including Elliott & Company, Carbon Futures, DKI Consulting Engineers Ltd and Hardies Chartered Surveyors.
The Project is a voluntary organisation which runs activities for High School age young people in Biggar, South Lanarkshire. They support them by providing a base for a range of activities, a place to gather and access hot food, food-share, computers, games and the emotional and practical support of the volunteers and staff that run the space.
The building dates back to the late 1800s, and was formerly part of a much larger livestock auction market. Our design has seen some of the original doors, rooflights and windows reintroduced to bring more light to the interior, bringing reference to the history of the building and animating the facade facing the public realm. Due to spiralling fuel costs and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a particular focus was on increasing the energy efficiency of the building.
The refurbishment has introduced significant improvements to the building fabric, thermal performance through natural, breathing materials and added renewable energy generation on the premises, as well as a rearranged and upgraded the internal layout to improve facilities and ensure that the building offers a warm, bright welcoming space for young people and others.
FLA are grateful to the judges for this recognition and offer well deserved congratulations to the winning projects.
