2024 Year in Review: Architectural Excellence - A Year of Growth, Achievements, and Milestones

As 2024 draws to a close, we would like to wish our team, clients, consultants, and contractors and all the best for 2025. We would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights and milestones from the last 12 months in what has been another busy and successful year.

In our 99th year of architectural practice, Bracewell Stirling Consulting embarked on an exciting new chapter by joining forces with the innovative Scottish investment company GEG Capital. With GEG Capital’s strategic investment in the practice to facilitate a fresh vision for the future, we have continued to serve our existing clients while expanding our networks and benefiting from the synergies and strategic relationships with other companies within the portfolio. This collaboration has also created opportunities for further professional and personal development for our team.

Bracewell Stirling has had the privilege of leading the design of several housing developments this year. The Pinefield development in Carrbridge was completed in May, marking the conclusion of a project spanning over two decades. Bracewell Stirling also facilitated the planning for 160 private and affordable homes in Conon Bridge, with August seeing the Section 75 Agreement confirmed. October brought further achievements, with Tulloch Homes being granted permission for 105 homes at the ongoing Slackbuie Farm development in Inverness, with Bracewell leading the project through the planning process. Additionally, the Highland Housing Alliance took possession of seven homes within the Bynack More development in Aviemore, and Cairn Housing Association took delivery of 28 high-quality homes in Forres, both of which were part of an affordable housing provision within larger private developments delivered by Tulloch Homes, with Bracewell providing architectural design services for both. We ended the year, nearly 20 years after the sketches were first put on the drawing board, with 20 new homes for social rent at Tulloch Square/Castle – Green Lady Court in Dingwall being handed over to the Highland Council by Capstone Construction.

On the commercial front, Bracewell Stirling played a pivotal role in the transformation of the Dewars Centre in Perth into a state-of-the-art gym and fitness facility for Live Active Leisure. This ambitious project involved converting an indoor bowling rink into a modern gym, and upgrading outdated changing and toilet facilities to create an accessible and contemporary space. Additionally, our ongoing relationship with Baynes the Family Baker has led to the creation of new stores in Buchanan Street Bus Station, Cardonald, Govan, and Saracen Street in Glasgow, as well as in Lochee, Dundee. We also completed a refit of the store in Rosyth, Fife. Looking ahead to early 2025, we anticipate the delivery of the Drive-To retail unit at Inveralmond Retail Park, Perth.

This year we were proud to win the ‘Excellence in Accessibility & Inclusion’ award for Primrose Street at the 2024 Scottish Home Awards, as well as the ‘Development of the Year’ accolade at the Homes for Scotland Awards. Additionally, our Inverness Chamber of Commerce membership and Achilles UVDB Silver Plus accreditation reinforce our commitment to growth, sustainability, and excellence.

Over the course of the year, we have welcomed several talented individuals to our team. we have welcomed several talented individuals to the team, including Senior Associates David Lawrie and Kevin Spence, Business Development Manager Stephen Lynas, Architects Karen Kerr and Alasdair McKay, Part 2 Architectural Assistant Kerr Arnold, and Junior Architectural Technologist Louise Johnston. Their expertise strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional services in design, master planning, 3D modelling, and sustainability for our clients.

“As we approach the end of 2024, it’s important to pause and express gratitude. Our team has worked tirelessly over the last twelve months to deliver exceptional projects across Scotland that prioritise sustainability, accessibility, and innovation. I am immensely proud of the milestones we’ve reached, from transformative housing developments to the reinvention of commercial spaces – accomplishments that wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our staff and the trust our clients place in us. On behalf of the entire Bracewell Stirling team, I would like to wish all our clients, fellow consultants, and contractors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” - David Keith, Senior Partner