Heritage Groups Unite to Save Iconic Bernat Klein Studio from Auction
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- A coalition aims to save Bernat Klein's A-listed brutalist studio in the Scottish Borders, set for auction at £18,000.
- The studio, designed by Peter Womersley in 1972, is in severe disrepair and has been on the buildings at risk register since 2002.
- Heritage groups, including the National Trust for Scotland, seek to restore the studio with an estimated cost of £2.5-£3 million.
- The coalition plans to transform the studio into a creative arts venue, preserving its historical significance.
- The auction's unexpected announcement has prompted a fundraising appeal to secure the building's future.
A coalition of heritage and design organizations has launched a concerted effort to rescue the dilapidated studio of renowned textile designer Bernat Klein, located near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. The A-listed brutalist structure, designed by celebrated architect Peter Womersley in 1972, is set to go under the hammer with a guide price of £18,000, prompting urgent action from preservationists.
A Jewel of Modernist Architecture
The studio, a testament to late 20th-century architecture, has been vacant for decades and is in a state of severe disrepair. It has been listed on the Scottish buildings at risk register since 2002. Originally built as a workspace for Klein's innovative textile designs, the studio is adjacent to his home, High Sunderland, another Womersley creation from 1958.
Coalition's Restoration Vision
The coalition, comprising the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, aims to restore the studio to its former glory. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, they envision transforming it into a vibrant venue for creative arts, exhibitions, and educational workshops. The estimated restoration cost ranges from £2.5 to £3 million.
Unexpected Auction Sparks Urgency
The decision to auction the property came as a surprise to the coalition, which had been negotiating a private purchase. Prof Alison Harley, chair of the Bernat Klein Foundation, expressed disappointment at the sudden auction but emphasized the importance of securing the studio's future. "We all want the building to be sensitively conserved and restored to be part of Scotland's creative and cultural heritage for future generations," she stated.
Preserving a Legacy
The studio's architectural significance is underscored by its bold design, featuring cantilevered concrete and finely framed vertical glazing. Womersley, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, created a space that not only served as a design hub but also as a testament to the collaborative genius of Klein and Womersley. The coalition's efforts aim to preserve this legacy for future generations.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of the auction on July 30 will be pivotal in determining the studio's fate. If the coalition succeeds in acquiring the property, it will embark on a challenging yet rewarding restoration journey. The project could serve as a catalyst for further heritage preservation efforts in the Scottish Borders, highlighting the region's rich architectural history.
However, if the auction attracts competitive bidders, the coalition may face financial hurdles that could delay or derail their plans. The involvement of prominent organizations like the National Trust for Scotland underscores the studio's cultural importance, potentially attracting additional support and funding.
Experts suggest that successful restoration could enhance the area's cultural tourism, drawing visitors interested in modernist architecture and textile design. The project could also inspire similar initiatives to preserve other endangered architectural gems across the UK.
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Heritage Groups Unite to Save Iconic Bernat Klein Studio from Auction
In This Article
Aya Nakamura| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- A coalition aims to save Bernat Klein's A-listed brutalist studio in the Scottish Borders, set for auction at £18,000.
- The studio, designed by Peter Womersley in 1972, is in severe disrepair and has been on the buildings at risk register since 2002.
- Heritage groups, including the National Trust for Scotland, seek to restore the studio with an estimated cost of £2.5-£3 million.
- The coalition plans to transform the studio into a creative arts venue, preserving its historical significance.
- The auction's unexpected announcement has prompted a fundraising appeal to secure the building's future.
A coalition of heritage and design organizations has launched a concerted effort to rescue the dilapidated studio of renowned textile designer Bernat Klein, located near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. The A-listed brutalist structure, designed by celebrated architect Peter Womersley in 1972, is set to go under the hammer with a guide price of £18,000, prompting urgent action from preservationists.
A Jewel of Modernist Architecture
The studio, a testament to late 20th-century architecture, has been vacant for decades and is in a state of severe disrepair. It has been listed on the Scottish buildings at risk register since 2002. Originally built as a workspace for Klein's innovative textile designs, the studio is adjacent to his home, High Sunderland, another Womersley creation from 1958.
Coalition's Restoration Vision
The coalition, comprising the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, aims to restore the studio to its former glory. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, they envision transforming it into a vibrant venue for creative arts, exhibitions, and educational workshops. The estimated restoration cost ranges from £2.5 to £3 million.
Unexpected Auction Sparks Urgency
The decision to auction the property came as a surprise to the coalition, which had been negotiating a private purchase. Prof Alison Harley, chair of the Bernat Klein Foundation, expressed disappointment at the sudden auction but emphasized the importance of securing the studio's future. "We all want the building to be sensitively conserved and restored to be part of Scotland's creative and cultural heritage for future generations," she stated.
Preserving a Legacy
The studio's architectural significance is underscored by its bold design, featuring cantilevered concrete and finely framed vertical glazing. Womersley, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, created a space that not only served as a design hub but also as a testament to the collaborative genius of Klein and Womersley. The coalition's efforts aim to preserve this legacy for future generations.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of the auction on July 30 will be pivotal in determining the studio's fate. If the coalition succeeds in acquiring the property, it will embark on a challenging yet rewarding restoration journey. The project could serve as a catalyst for further heritage preservation efforts in the Scottish Borders, highlighting the region's rich architectural history.
However, if the auction attracts competitive bidders, the coalition may face financial hurdles that could delay or derail their plans. The involvement of prominent organizations like the National Trust for Scotland underscores the studio's cultural importance, potentially attracting additional support and funding.
Experts suggest that successful restoration could enhance the area's cultural tourism, drawing visitors interested in modernist architecture and textile design. The project could also inspire similar initiatives to preserve other endangered architectural gems across the UK.
Images from the Web
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