ARPL Architects oversee completion of joint church and housing development

March 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Ayrshire, Scotland--The former leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Hugh Hunter has opened Ayrshire Housing’s latest development at Observer Court, Prestwick.

It is a development of 10 flats and houses, two of which have been especially adapted to suit tenants with particular requirements.

The 10 new dwellings have been constructed alongside the redevelopment of the Kingcase Parish’s hall. The church sold surplus ground to Ayrshire Housing which has helped to fund the work to the hall.

The design and build for both organisations has been co-ordinated through a single design and contractor team to maximise efficiencies for both parties. The architect is the award-winning Ayr-based firm ARPL Architects Ltd and the builder is Prestwick based Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, who took over the project when the original contractor Moulds of Kilmarnock went out of business.

Councillor Hunter said: “I’m delighted that Ayrshire Housing has been able to secure more much needed housing for rent through developing a successful partnership with the Kingcase Parish Church. We also see the benefits of the longstanding relationship between Ayrshire Housing and the Council which has ensured housing especially designed for people leaving residential care in the majority of its new housing developments.”

The arrangement with the Kingcase Parish Church released land for much needed affordable housing which in turn facilitated the enlargement of their church hall. The final stage of the partnership will see the completion of the church’s new car park over the next few weeks. Scottish Churches Housing Action has highlighted the project nationally as an example of what a church with surplus land or buildings can do by working in partnership with its local housing association. The project also complements the substantial investment of South Ayrshire Council in their adjacent flats.

The project cost £1.2m and has been supported by generous grants from the Scottish Government and South Ayrshire Council.

ARPL Architects Ltd

The directors of ARPL Architects Ltd are Patrick Lorimer, Robert Gilliland, Gordon Fleming, and Rebecca Cadie with John Ramsay, Stewart Glendinning and Kenneth Handley as associates.

The ARPL philosophy is to produce buildings to the highest design standards in close consultation with its clients. Designs are innovative and sympathetic to both the immediate and the broader environment in which they are constructed, with an emphasis on sustainability. Each project embraces the unique nature of the client’s needs and the site.

Over the 36 years since Patrick Lorimer established the original practice, ARPL’s status in the profession has grown steadily in line with its position as a medium-sized practice with a reputation for well executed projects. From its base in Ayr the practice carries out projects over a wide geographical area from the Orkneys and the Western Isles to Ireland.

The firm’s project experience covers the fields of housing, churches, schools, commercial projects, private houses, community and arts buildings. Particular expertise has been developed in contemporary sustainable design, specialist conservation works and design for historically sensitive environments.

ARPL’s work has received wide recognition through numerous design and environmental awards presented over the years for its new build and conservation works. Regular success in design competitions adds to the practice portfolio.

ARPL are currently working on new and refurbishment housing for Lochside, Ayr, several church and castle conservation and restoration projects and new community facilities in the South West of Scotland. Appointments for church commissions involve a range of denominations and projects from conservation and repair to extensions and new build. The firm is also involved in country houses and estates and the design of new houses for private owners.

The practice typically handles projects with construction values ranging from £100k through to £15m.

ARPL directors have managed to keep their business stable during the current difficult times, and have a busy current workload.

Contact:

ARPL Architects Ltd
Architects and Quantity Surveyors
11 Wellington Square
Ayr KA7 1EN
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: Patrick Lorimer
Tel: 01292 289777
Fax: 01292 288896
E-mail: plorimer@arpl.co.uk
Web: http://www.arpl.co.uk

THE ELITE AYRSHIRE BUSINESS CIRCLE

ARPL Architects Ltd is a founder member of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is an association founded in 2007 by some of the top companies in Ayrshire.

Its purpose is to publicise its members, and to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of industry, commerce and business services available within the county boundaries of Ayrshire.

Members include the Clydesdale Bank, Ayr Racecourse, Western House Hotel and South Ayrshire Council. and member company activities include broadcasting, building and construction, architectural practice, estate agency and land management, chartered accountancy, insurance broking, legal services, golf club management, marketing services and brand creation, web design and public relations consultancy.

For further information about The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and to apply for membership, e-mail eliteayrshire@gmail.com

Website: http://www.eliteayrshire.com

Issued by:

Murdoch MacDonald
Fame Publicity Services
E-mail FamePublicity@gmail.com
Web: http://www.famepublicity.co.uk
Telephone: 01292 281498
Mobile: 07833 667322