Conservation + Adaptive Re-Use | Stonehaven Town Hall Part 2 Project 2003 Richard Woods Robert Gordon University | UK The concept behind the design is one of movement and transparency using the site to re-introduce the forgotten relationship between the town and the beach. The opening up of the building creates a visual as well as physical interaction between the two.The facade and internal spaces have been clarified to address the confusion of various interventions, while respecting the original craftsmanship, detailing and materials. The new elements, although displaying their own contemporary character, are sympathetic to the retained fabric in the choice of materials.The adaptive re-use of the town hall will promote a greater civic cohesion across the entire spectrum of the community. David Dalgleish, Simon Gilmour and Richard Woods worked with Aberdeenshire Council’s Five Towns Initiative to revitalise the Victorian Stonehaven Town Hall, which had been built by public subscription. In spite of a close identification with the building by the townsfolk, it had fallen out of regular use. Their use of transparency and the integration with communications patterns to recreate the link between the Market Square and the beach, draws this building back into the centre of the community which it serves. Their choice of materials introduces a contemporary quality whilst respecting the traditional vocabulary of this neo-classical planned town.