Saving Peter Womersley’s Bernat Klein Studio

A view of the three levels of the Bernat Klein Studio, a brutalist concrete structure surrounded by woodland.
The Bernat Klein Studio in the Scottish Borders.

National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000

Dyddiad a ddyfarnwyd
Lleoliad
Selkirkshire
Awdurdod Lleol
Scottish Borders
Ceisydd
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust
Rhoddir y wobr
£245000
Amid the rural beauty of the Scottish Borders, a coalition of conservators has taken ownership of an architectural marvel, steeped in modernist heritage.

This autumn, The Bernat Klein Studio Coalition – including the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – took over the A listed structure, which has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2002.

Designed by architect Peter Womersley in 1972, there has been great public interest in ensuring the Studio’s future as a national creative asset. A remarkable £150,000, the cost of the purchase of the building, was raised through crowdfunding and private pledges in just over a week.

Following the purchase, our support will enable Scottish Historic Buildings Trust to appoint a specialist conservation design team, who will fully investigate the building’s condition and develop a detailed plan for its conservation and regeneration.

Once fully restored, the coalition aims for the building to return to life as a design studio. It will become a permanent home for the Bernat Klein Foundation, celebrating his influential work as a textile designer, artist and colourist through education, research, publication and exhibition.

A view of the open top floor of the studio, with the woodland behind.
A detailed condition survey will be undertaken and conservators will plan for the building's future restoration.

Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The Bernat Klein Studio is so important, both for its architectural design and the rich heritage it represents as part of Scotland’s world-renowned creativity in textiles. Through our partnership, we can be confident that this significant building, its stories and its place within Scotland’s heritage will be protected for generations to come.”

Follow the next stages of the project on the Bernat Klein Foundation’s website. We’re proud to protect the UK's shared artistic and cultural heritage – discover more projects we’re supporting in Scotland.

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