Recognition for Restoration

Dumfries House restoration wins Georgian Group architectural award

The remarkable restoration achievement that has taken place at Dumfries House, the 18th Century mansion in East Ayrshire, Scotland, has been recognized by the Georgian Group Architectural Awards, sponsored by Savills.

The awards recognize exemplary conservation and restoration projects across the country.

Dumfries House received the special award during a ceremony at Christie’s in London on Monday 31st October, recognizing the accomplishment of saving Dumfries House – and its unique contents – for the nation.

In 2007 The Prince of Wales, who is known as The Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, led a consortium to save the magnificent Georgian mansion and its collection of 18th Century furniture, which includes works by Thomas Chippendale built specifically for the House, most notably a rosewood Chippendale bookcase. Since 2007 the House has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, and is now a national tourist attraction open to the public,

As well as restoring Dumfries House itself, a number of other heritage-led regeneration projects are taking place across the Estate, such as restoring important historic structures including the Adam Bridge and the Sawmill, developing a traditional craft skills centre and developing a model sustainable farm. The former Coach House and Stables are now home to a thriving Café and Visitor Centre and further restoration is underway. All of these developments place the House and the Estate at the heart of the community and provide much needed employment. Work is taking place in the Walled Garden to restore it to its 18th century glory which will provide allotments for the local community. A sustainable development called Knockroon is also being built on the edge of the Estate and the historic town of Cumnock.

Robert Bargery, the Secretary of the Georgian Group Architectural Awards, said: “Without the intervention of The Prince of Wales in 2007, the unity of Dumfries House as a magnificent example of Georgian architecture containing a remarkable collection of Chippendale furniture would have been lost. The reunification of the 5th Earl’s house and furniture and the subsequent careful restoration of the house and the larger Estate is one of the great success stories of the past twenty years. This special award was created to recognize the incredible conservation achievement of The Prince of Wales, The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, and all of the supporters of the House”.

The Georgian Group Architectural Awards, sponsored by Savills, began in 2003 and recognize exemplary conservation and restoration projects in the United Kingdom, rewarding those which have shown the vision and commitment to restore Georgian buildings and landscapes. Awards are also given for high-quality new buildings in Georgian contexts and new architecture in the Classical tradition. The Georgian Group exists to protect and preserve Georgian buildings, monuments and landscapes, and celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2012.