New Architects Studio, Glamis: James F Stephen Architects

James F Stephen Architects’ new purpose built office in the conservation village of Glamis was completed in December 2006 to cater for the ever expanding workload of the practice and consequential increase in staff. The new offices have a gross floor area of 7,000 sq ft split between two levels.

The Studio has been designed to echo some of the architectural features found in some local vernacular buildings – such as the “openings” facing Backdykes echoing the “cart shed” doors on the re-built barn at the local Folk Museum. Furthermore, the palette of materials utilised draws largely on traditional Scottish building materials, such as timber, wet-dash render and natural slate. However these materials and features have been put together in a manner to create a modern office building that is contemporary in both style and feel. Internally, the use of laminated timber structural beams and Douglas Fir timber creates a warmth against the backdrop of white walls and ceilings which reflect natural light and create a pleasant and “airy” working environment.

The new Studio provides the Practice with state of the art facilities, including video conferencing facilities, flexible meetings spaces, excellent staff welfare facilities, private car parking as well as providing an unrivalled working environment for everyone in the office and allowing staff to work from a building which is an “advert” for the quality of the Practice’s architectural design and attention to detail.