the restoration of a two-part project in Lerwick town centre

Our practice won a design competition for a new civic building to replace the failing Harbour House and it's attached compound. An objection from planners to demolish the listed building resulted in strategic reappraisal of the site's development.

Harbour House - Image
  • TIME SPAN:

    2007 - 2010

  • TYPE:

    Renovation & Extension

  • STATUS:

    Complete

  • CLIENT:

    Lerwick Port Authority & Shetland Islands Council

  • LOCATION:

    Lerwick, Shetland

  • SIZE:

    290 m²

  • Contractor:

    Irvine Building Contractors Ltd

  • Photographers:

    Richard Gibson Architects, Shaw Marketing

  • AWARDS:

    Shetland Environmental Awards - Award

Harbour House - Image

Harbour House renovation 

Harbour House - Image

Harbour House originally served as offices to the Harbour Board.  The distinct building at the apex of the town's esplanade was falling into disrepair.  The new offices are now leased to private businesses who want a prime town centre location.

Harbour House - Image

New Public facilities

The attached yard to Harbour House was demolished to make way for new public facilities for the town centre.  The toilets help to re-define the enclosure of public space in Harrison Square and the design echos the gable frontages common to Lerwick's town centre.

Harbour House - Image
Harbour House - Image

"At Lerwick Port Authority, we have engaged Richard Gibson Architects on various projects and are very happy with the design and delivery of these - For some of our projects in the historic town centre, sympathetic designs that incorporate all our modern requirements have been well executed. For practical buildings that are suited to our climate and maritime environment, we find Richard Gibson Architects have been able to incorporate some architectural flair for a result that can stand the test of time."

/ Lerwick Port Authority
Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority


Harbour House - Image

A contextual image showing an earlier design we did for a new-build approach to the site.

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