Electric Press
Situated in the heart of Leeds within Millennium Square, this historic listed warehouse has been reimagined as contemporary office space while honouring its industrial past. Originally housing printing presses and noted as one of the first buildings in Leeds to be powered by electricity, the Electric Press is a landmark of the city’s progressive spirit.
Dutch Village
Originally commissioned to just undertake a condition survey of this listed island RKA saw an opportunity to create a brief with our client about what the future of the island could become.The Dutch Village is an island within Craigtoun country park, a much-loved local destination with fond memories for many in St Andrews of a space to relax, have an ice cream, take a boat out, and host theatre productions. The building has been in disrepair and sat un-used for over 20 years.
NARS Glasgow
RKA had the exciting opportunity to bring NARS Cosmetics' first UK flagship store outside of London to life, right in the heart of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. Spanning 100 sqm, the store features a sleek, modern design with crisp white walls, a dramatic black ceiling, and bold accents of the iconic NARS red, perfectly embodying the brand’s distinctive aesthetic.
Ardgowan Hotel
This proposal delivers a comprehensive upgrade to the Ardgowan Hotel in St Andrews, comprising two adjoining B-listed Georgian properties. The scheme sensitively reconfigures the hotel layout to improve functionality, guest experience, and long-term viability. Key elements include full internal refurbishment, a new rear extension for upgraded kitchens and staff facilities, and the creation of additional hotel rooms.
16 Old Bailey
Orms were appointed to refurbish and extend 16 Old Bailey which includes a Grade II Listed Building at the front and is in close proximity to a number of listed buildings including the Central Criminal Court, 15 Old Bailey and Church of St Sepulchre.The property was originally built for the Chatham and Dover Railway Company alongside an open railway track and Holborn Viaduct station to the rear.
Anstruther Sea View
The refurbishment of this Category B listed building in the Anstruther Conservation Area aimed to restore its historical integrity while enhancing original features. We planned a careful renovation, including exposing hidden elements, reinstating traditional materials, and adding a modest rear roof extension.Simpson and Brown Heritage Consultants assessed the building's historic significance, noting its pre-18th century masonry and mid-18th century joinery. Despite some previous structural alterations, the property's overall significance within East Neuk of Fife remained intact.
Cellardyke Shore Street
This project involves the sensitive refurbishment and extension of a Category C listed home within a Conservation Area, tailored for a growing family of musicians. Key aims include celebrating the historic rear stone wall - especially its curved stairwell - by introducing a glazed slot that highlights its full height, while enhancing connectivity to the garden.
Ravenscraig Stone Sheds
With funding from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, essential repairs were commissioned to a pair of listed stone sheds located on the edge of Ravenscraig Park in Kirkcaldy. Managed by Fife Historic Buildings Trust, RKA were appointed to design and oversee the repair proposals, aiming to make the derelict buildings safe once again. The intention ws for the restored sheds to be used by the neighbouring community allotments group as storage or as a space for plant sales and community events.
St. Andrews Residential Extension
This project involves the full internal refurbishment of a traditional period home, complemented by a bold yet sensitive rear extension. Designed to enhance flow and reconnect the house with its garden, the extension features sleek zinc cladding paired with sustainable cork spray render and two opposing pitched roofs for a contemporary look. Glazing elements are thoughtfully positioned to maximise light and views: a wraparound slot window frames the garden, a high-level window highlights a nearby historic church, and rooflights bring in morning and evening sunlight, creating a bright, welcoming living space that blends old and new.
Sustainable Seafront Home
This coastal new build in St Andrews is a bold, sustainability-driven project set within a narrow, terraced plot. Designed in close collaboration with a highly ambitious client, the home integrates a range of innovative environmental strategies to create a low-impact, energy-positive dwelling.The structure is built using timber to reduce embodied carbon and wrapped in a high-performance thermal envelope to minimise heat loss. A central skylight draws daylight deep into the plan and is automated to help regulate internal temperatures throughout the day. The use of triple-glazed timber windows and a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system ensures year-round comfort while maximising energy efficiency.
