August 29 2019

A B-listed International-style Borders school is to be repurposed as extra care apartments under proposals for the partial demolition and extension of the historic 1939 Reid and Forbes designed school.

Kelso High School has been left as surplus to requirements following the transfer of pupils and staff to the new Kelso High School, bringing it into the ownership of Eildon Housing Association and M&J Ballantyne who intend to create 33 apartments, support accommodation and a sensory garden.

Aitken Turnbull Architects have been commissioned to deliver this requirement while minimising the impact on the present building, following a feasibility study by Simpson & Brown.

The chosen approach will retain the core 1939 building, tower feature, entrances and school gate piers while removing later additions which will enable private housing to be delivered within the grounds.

The architects wrote: “Kelso High School was identified by Simpson & Brown’s Conservation Statement as a building of greater architectural interest and granted an overall level of “Considerable” significance.
 
Their justification for this is twofold; firstly, Reid&Forbes specialised in new school buildings during that period and Kelso High School was the culmination of their experience and design aesthetic. Secondly, the school is an example of the International Style with Art Deco motif elements–showing a worldwide influence, but a decidedly Scottish response."

2 Comments

#1 Posted by Dulnain on 30 Aug 2019 at 11:59 AM

It would have been good to see how the repurposed listed building will sit along with the private housing proposed for the site. It would be a pity if views of the main facades were obscured by overdevelopment of the site. The design and layout of existing building and the new private housing need to be considered as one entity.

#2 Posted by Inahuf on 30 Aug 2019 at 15:10 PM

Re-use by public/social sector good.
Bringing older folk into heart of community (unlike the shocker of North Berwick scheme) good.
Just a pity the insertions by the Architect look so clumsy... let’s hope it’s just the rubbish graphics and their detailing can stand up to the comparison with the original Art Deco refinement.

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