This historic building known as the "Apple Store" was facing further decline and potential collapse.  Our role was to restore and make the building wind and water tight for future refurbishment.

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The structure, particularly on the first floor level and frontage of the building was very close to collapsing. The main structural beam holding up the entire stone frontage had rotted because of moisture ingress.

Further research on the function and original use of the building was necessary together with an appraisal of how Health & Safety - during constructed - was to be handled.

 

As the building is located within the grounds of Grade A listed Fasque House, the same listed status applied to this building and full consultation was required with Historic Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council Environment & Built Heritage Service.

 

The building was in a state of disrepair with various openings allowing water, vermin and pigeon access.  The interior of the building was deep in pigeon droppings which had contributed to the demise of the main floor. The roof had sagged and in doing so, pushed the front wall out causing a serious structural crack in the stonework frontage.

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The building was unsafe and as such the measurement survey was limited.

A large percentage of the stonework around the feature window at first floor level had rotted and fallen to ground.

 

Owing to the dangerous nature of the structure it was agreed that part demolition was necessary following consultation with the structural engineers.

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Once the building structure was taken down to a safe level and made safe, the survey was completed and drawings were prepared by our office to capture and record the existing details in order to provide them to Aberdeenshire Council's Archaeology Service.

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Proposal drawings were then prepared and submitted for Listed Building and Building Warrant approval as well as Historic Scotland which were all met with approval.

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This work was very interesting as even the sand used in the mortar for the  re-building process had to be analysed and then sourced and mixed from quarries on the estate. We also had sandstone from the estate taken to St Andrews to be cut and dressed ready for re-building the feature front window.

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Compensation was granted to allow the curved timber beam to be replaced with a double curved steel beam and the roof was jacked back into place as much as possible,  taking care not to cause further structural damage.

 

Having fulfilled our brief within time and on budget, The apple store was then re-constructed to become wind and water tight by Colin Jamieson a dedicated local building contractor and his team.

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The historic nature of this project was a rewarding experience in itself and we were thrilled to have helped pave the way for  work that would later be granted a Distinction Award as part of the Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards to Fasque House and their team.