© Keith Hunter Photography

The Russell Institute is one of Paisley’s most iconic buildings. Built in 1927, it is a Category A-listed building, famous for its ornate bronze and stone sculptures on the exterior and for its stunning art-deco staircase and balcony inside.

Servest Arthur McKay was delighted to have been appointed to complete the mechanical, electrical and IT networks fit-out installation for this key urban regeneration project. The £5m regeneration project was part funded by the council, alongside grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.

CONSERVATION

Servest Arthur McKay’s work was conducted under the scrutiny of conservation consultants, who were overseeing the project on behalf of its key stakeholder, Renfrewshire Council.

HISTORIC TO MODERN SERVICES

One of the key challenges was to transform the services from historic to modern, without damaging the internal fabric of this iconic building. Essentially, this meant full electrical re-wiring and supply of new heating, ventilation and water services, bringing them into line with necessary standards and local authority building regulations. As part of Servest Arthur McKay’s Contractor’s Design Portions, the team installed Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA), ensuring the Building Management System (BMS) activates safety controls and the fire alarm sounds at the earliest sign of a fire risk or condition.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Following the works, it now operates as a training and employability hub. It is home to colleagues from the Skills Development Scotland and Renfrewshire Council’s ‘Invest in Renfrewshire’ scheme, which focuses on developing the local economy, through the creation of jobs, training opportunities and tackling unemployment.
 
“As a Skills and Employability Hub, the Russell Institute provides an excellent environment in a central location to help generate new jobs and opportunities for the people of Renfrewshire. Servest Arthur McKay should be proud of their efforts in helping Renfrewshire Council realise this ambition. Their team are not only technically proficient but worked with the care and attention commanded by such a historic conservation and regeneration project.”

Alasdair Morrison,
Renfrewshire Council
 
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