The Boiler House
Following the decommissioning of the gas boilers and greenhouses at St. Andrews’ Botanic Gardens, RKA were invited to pitch for the project of reusing the existing boiler house and adapting this into a new education space for school pupils, university students, and visiting groups.The elegant 1970s structure needed a new lease of life. We re-used the machine room as a new entrance hall with a tall ceiling and added a high level window. The main move was to remove the wall between the boiler room and garages to create one large flexible space with exposed steel and timber structure.
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.
1970s Home Extension
This residential proposal enhances a 1970s family home in St. Andrews through a thoughtful side and rear extension, designed to improve the quality of internal space and its relationship to the surrounding garden. The L-shaped addition accommodates a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area - creating a central hub for family life with strong visual and physical connections to the outdoors.
Craigtoun Events Space
Set within the natural beauty of Craigtoun Park, our proposal envisions a new multi-use community space designed to support education and a wide range of local initiatives. The concept centres around flexibility - creating a welcoming and adaptable environment that serves the diverse needs of community groups, schools, volunteers, and events.
St Andrews Residential Refurbishment
St Andrews Residential Refurbishment: This project involves the full refurbishment, reconfiguration, and extension of an existing family home in St Andrews, creating a contemporary and highly functional home tailored to the needs of its owners. The design transforms the dated cellular internal layout into a bright, open, and flexible living environment while carefully respecting the scale and character of the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
Eden View
The location of this project benefits from fantastic view across the River Eden and North Sea coastline – views which were bizarrely obscured because the only window looked in the other direction! We proposed a new corner window to maximise the view and added a window seat to allow our clients to really enjoy it.
Homeless Project Scotland
A new entrance and academic heart for a leading independent school in Highgate’s urban village.Highgate School is an independent foundation of three schools which provides an all-through education from sites totalling 55 acres in north London. As a forward-thinking, progressive organisation, the school aims to harness the energy and activity of its students in the academic setting as well as offering them a refuge for quiet reflection in an often frenetic urban environment. As with several of Orms’ education projects, designing within this context required a thorough consideration of the surrounding urban character, as well as an understanding of how the existing school buildings worked together as a mini-campus.
Savoy Centre
On behalf of Castleforge, RKA has carried out a feasibility study exploring the redevelopment potential of the Savoy Centre and its surrounding buildings in central Glasgow. The wider site includes Savoy House on Sauchiehall Street, Savoy Tower - home to Castleforge’s co-working brand ‘Clockwise’ - and Glasgow’s oldest nightclub, ‘The Savoy’.
