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Broadford Works, Aberdeen: Regeneration of former textile mills to film studios

Part 2 Project 2004
David Maciver
Yannis Christodoulou
Graeme McRobbie
Alexander Stuchfield
 Robert Gordon University | UK
Broadford works has a history, a context and a texture all of its own. The challenge in determining viable uses for former industrial sites like this is not to create show-piece buildings or modern ways of living. While these sites are often robust enough to maintain their dignity in such cases, for us the vital elements here were continuity, a degree of industrial ‘honesty’ and the ability to read our new interventions as merely a point on the evolutionary story of the site.
David Maciver
Yannis Christodoulou
Graeme McRobbie
Alexander Stuchfield

We have nominated this project because of its depth of study. The group’s examination of aspects of this densely occupied industrial enclave were exemplary. A controlled study of the materials of their chosen buildings and adjacent floorscape was translated in a series of creative material variations with a view to clarifying the continuum between mimicking the existing and the Modern orthodoxy of distinguishing the new. Finally, their design for the new use demonstrated a sensitive understanding of the existing buildings and an acute awareness of the dramatic possibilities of the dumb boxes and light circulation of the new studios.
Tutor(s)
2004
Broadford Works was established at the turn of the nineteenth century. The Works developed in isolation from the surrounding City of Aberdeen, evolving only for its own internalised industrial needs.
The boundary buildings and walls make this internalised site visually impermeable from the surrounding streets.
This project proposes the re-use of Broadfrord Works as the home for Scotland’s Film industry; this continues the site as a place for industry, exploiting its inherent qualities and utilises much of the site in its current form.
Preliminary Master Plan and Massing
Proposed Master Plan
Commercial film production soundstages and associated accommodation
Plans - Levels 1 and 2
Plans - Levels 3 and 4
Plans - Level 5 and roof plan
Sections A, B and C
Sections D, E and F
Sections G, H and I
Street Elevations
Perspectives
These new interventions should not be viewed as a final development for the site, but only as part of the site’s evolving story, and should be read as such.
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