The Engine Shed is Scotland’s building conservation centre, created and managed by HES. The refurbished site needed a retail area that sat comfortably within a nationally important heritage setting.
Design intent called for an industrial character that referenced the original shed while remaining clean, durable and easy to run day-to-day.
We focused on design for manufacture. Our technical team developed the architect’s concept into fabrication models, optimising joints, tolerances and access for glazing and shelving. CR4 steel components were detailed with repeatable sections and jigging for consistency. A clear lacquer preserved the blackened finish and simplified maintenance.
We coordinated the steelwork with laminate-faced carcasses and birch-ply cladding finished in clear lacquer. We designed concealed fixings and access panels for quick swaps and repairs. Sub-assemblies were pre-built to reduce time on site.
Material choices support longevity: lacquered steel, tempered glass and laminate-faced joinery. Shelves and peg components are modular and replaceable, reducing whole-life cost.
The finished retail area provides clear product sightlines with robust frames that suit the industrial timber-and-steel hall.
Planning a heritage retail or visitor-centre fit-out? Share your ideas with us, and we’ll tell you how we can make it work.
