Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow

The Challenge

Designing with heritage in mind

The client faced a unique challenge: delivering a modern, functional living environment while honouring the area’s historic significance.

With the original school building demolished, the project team sought to retain and showcase architectural elements that paid homage to the site’s identity.

Salvaged features including stone gate pillars, cast iron columns from the renowned Lion Foundry in Kirkintilloch, and original date stones were to be incorporated within the courtyard design.

The landscaping solution needed to integrate seamlessly with these heritage artefacts while complementing the new buildings’ ashlar blonde sandstone and buff brickwork.

As the site sits within a conservation area, the choice of paving materials had to be sensitive to the historic setting, while offering durability and strong environmental credentials suitable for a public sector project.

The Solution

Premium paving that blends modern design with timeless heritage

Braemar paving in Alto Silver with a ground textured finish was selected for the central courtyard space. Its exposed aggregate surface provides a premium look that harmonises with the surrounding building materials and the salvaged stone features.

The silver-grey tone of Braemar Alto Silver complements the blonde sandstone and buff brick façades, offering a coherent and attractive hard landscaping finish that sits comfortably within its conservation setting. Environmental performance was also a critical consideration. Braemar’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) rating helped meet sustainability targets, aligning with the council’s specification priorities for low-impact materials.

The final result is a beautifully designed outdoor space that not only respects the heritage of the site but also provides a welcoming and practical environment for new residents, proving that affordable housing can be both functional and full of character.