May 11 2020

Moxon Architects have fashioned a new civic hub for Aberdeenshire Council in the fishing port of Fraserburgh by unifying two existing civic buildings as a single headquarters.

The Faithlie Centre has simultaneously restored the existing Town House at Saltoun Square while simultaneously bringing a derelict police station back into use, ensuring both buildings remain publicly accessible while bringing the complex into the future with a dramatic corten steel ‘veil’ enclosing a rear extension.

This statement elevation serves to unify retained elements with an eye-catching ‘front of house’ space while permitting enhanced circulation and access to all levels, with areas of curtain walling and slatted steel maintaining views to the original masonry.

In a statement, Moxon Architects wrote: “Crucially, the extension addresses both the harbour area that can be seen from the top of the building; providing a direct material reference in terms of colour, texture and pattern to the defining industry of the town; and the public housing of North Braeheads for which it provides a new active frontage, enlivened by the movement of building users and the layering of reflection, shadow and light.

“On the interior, the building has been repaired where the original fabric remained and stripped back to the masonry where compromised beyond salvage.  New and restored interior linings and details have been finished uniformly in white, emphasising the delicacy of restored mouldings and original patterned lincrusta wall coverings.”

Working in tandem with conservation architect Alan S Marshall the team have replaced damaged sandstone throughout as well as repairing a domed rotunda supported by Corinthian columns, statuary and joinery.

All photography courtesy of Simon Kennedy

2 Comments

#1 Posted by Bill S on 11 May 2020 at 11:12 AM

Overall, this looks decent. I am not a fan of the rear connection between the vertical corten clad form and the existing building, but I think the quality of workmanship, detailing and material choice all are stellar and a great advert for contextual Architecture in the NE. Great job.

#2 Posted by Hilloch on 12 May 2020 at 11:51 AM

Very nice, well done to Moxon and to the client!

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