Architect and Director
Penicuik Storehouse is a community-owned, volunteer-run shop, café and community space operated by Penicuik Community Alliance Ltd. Use of the first floor of the Storehouse has been historically limited due to the requirement for a secondary fire exit. The works proposed will address this constraint, enabling the currently underutilised upper area to be brought fully into community use and supporting the long-term sustainability of this valued local asset.
Alterations include the internal reconfiguration of the first floor of the rear block fronting Bank Street, installation of a new external escape stair, fabric and energy efficiency upgrades, and improvements to the Bank Street entrance and public realm.
The proposed works will provide much-needed community group meeting and activity space, will help to support continued operation during the cost-of-living crisis, and will strengthen the Storehouse as a community anchor.
The first floor of the rear block will be reconfigured to create flexible, multi-functional community spaces including:
Key to the proposals is the improvement of the building’s thermal performance and reduction of energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, in accordance with the objectives of the Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP) and the Scottish Government’s Net Zero retrofit strategy.
The scheme adopts a fabric-first retrofit approach, whereby the existing building fabric of the rear block will be enhanced to improve the overall thermal efficiency and environmental performance of the building.
Measures to reduce operational carbon emissions and improve thermal comfort include:
The building is within a Conservation area setting, and it is proposed to improve the civic presence of the building to the Bank Street elevation through the following public realm improvements:
