We are Building Workshop

family portrait of the Scrimgeour family outside their home humpty house in angus scotland

With lifelong roots in rural Scotland, Building Workshop is an award-winning architecture and design practice specialising in unique restoration projects. In the past 15 years, we have helped rescue, revive, restore, create and transform over 150 buildings across the country.

portrait of architects rosemary and ben Scrimgeour from building workshop scotland

Our Story

Ben and Rosemary grew up on farms in rural Angus — the area they returned to live and work back in 2009. Between then, Ben studied Architecture in Dundee before landing a dream job with global practice Foster + Partners in London working on skyscrapers on the other side of the world, yacht designs and being delivered project briefs by robots.  Rosemary trained to be an Interpreter in Bath before living and working in Europe and South America.  With a shared vision to breathe new life into the many beautiful and underused buildings they saw all around, Building Workshop was born and their first projects drew them back to their roots in rural Angus.  Ben creating super cool architecture and Rosemary interpreting briefs, building regulations and the many moving parts of each project.  First a barn conversion near Annecy in the French Alps, then a townhouse transformation in Fulham, London and third a steading conversion just along the road from where they now have their family home and office. 

It often begins with a broken building and a big dream. There are so many ways that buildings can be adapted, restored or repurposed.  Our approach to architecture is about more than just the building and ensures that our designs can evolve from dreams into reality.     

architects ben and rosemary Scrimgeour working in the drawing office in their home in angus scotland

Drawing Office

We work from the Drawing Office at our award-winning Humpty House overlooking the Loch of Lintrathen in rural Angus. We have a very hands-on and creative approach to architecture.  We use handmade models and the latest 3D BIM computer software to develop designs and ensure everyone can visualise the project throughout the design stages. There is a clear line down the middle of the desk.  Exciting ideas, creativity and architectural fireworks abound on one side, and across the line, a clear understanding of the project brief including the budget and constraints keeps things on track!

Awards

Regeneration and Strategy Award 2023
EAA (Edinburgh Architectural Association)
Together with Studio IMA for Eastside

RIAS Award 2018
Humpty House

Historic Environment Scotland Award 2018
Burmieston (winner)
Guardswell Farm (shortlisted)

Angus Council House of the Decade Award 2019 Humpty House

Best House and Supreme Award 2017
DIA (Dundee Institute of Architects)
Humpty House

Best regeneration project / Best use of timber / Commendation for Commercial category 2018
DIA (Dundee Institute of Architects)
Guardswell Farm

Selected Projects