Our award winning, purpose built Centre opened in August 2021. Designed by Glasgow-based architects Page/Park our building takes inspiration from unique roofscape of towers, dormers, gables and pitched roofs that define the architectural character of Galashiels.
Thought the design process of the building a number of decisions were made to ensure the sustainability of the building:
Repurposing a Listed Building
The project integrates the old post office building as part of GTOS that resulted in lower embodied energy and promotes local heritage preservation.
Brownfield Project Site
The Tapestry Centre is built on a brownfield town center that eliminates the need to prepare and develop fresh land and infrastructure. This hugely contributes to preservation of local biodiversity while also reducing CO2 emissions through the project life cycle.
Community Integration
As well as the Tapestry Gallery, the center holds a temporary exhibition space, a conference room, meeting rooms and makers’ space which are utilised by the local community for various events & purposes other than visiting the gallery, ensuring a sustainable future for the new built as well as the listed post office.
Building efficiency
Low u-values are attained throughout the building envelope through proper insulation and air tightness. Functional glazing with solar control glass cancels unwanted heat gain and reduces load on the Air Handling Unit. The AHU itself is Passive House certified and provides free cooling and heat recovery (87%) of the expelled heat.
Public transport & Eco-Tourism
The center is well serviced by a train and bus station just 5 minutes away and a nearby bicycle stand. This encourages visitors to transition to sustainable means of transport for visiting not only the Tapestry but the rest of Scottish Borders as well.
Accessibility
The building is accessible to people living with physical and auditory impairments through on-site wheelchair and walker, elevator, absence of floor level changes and hearing loops.
Building Management Systems
The lighting, audio, technological and ventilation systems use sensors and building optimisation software to ensure an efficient use of resources, user comfort and increased lifespan of these systems by reducing over utilisation.