Scrimgeour's Corner, Crieff, has been the site of the prominent local Scrimgeour's department store which was built in the 30s in the style of the period. This three-storey, bland frontaged building filled the site until, in the late 70s, it was destroyed by fire. In a very prominent corner position at the West end of Crieff's busy High Street, it was the focus for much local public attention during the fifteen years in which the site lay as a derelict eyesore.

Bounded by the main road and a busy High Street junction and book-ended by existing buildings ranging from 4-storey to 2-storey, the awkward shaped site had over the years been assessed for development on several occasions but had provided to be an impracticable proposition. The local Council were extremely keen to have the site developed primarily for residential purposes.

In 1988 Servite Housing Association saw potential in its use as an Amenity Housing Development which would meet the ongoing demands of the local community.

Nicoll Russell Studios were briefed by their Client to explore the potential of the site with a view to providing a mixed development with commercial property at street level and as many 1 or 2 person houses as could be reasonably accommodated.

Having consulted with, and received a positive reaction from, the local Planning Department, care was taken to visually reduce the scale of the 5-storey building and articulate the massing to provide a form which would continue the scale, colour and materials of its immediate neighbours.

The development was conceived as two wings, each seen as a blended frontage extension to the streetscape, terminating in towers at the corner junction. This sculpting of the block provided a form reminiscent of Crieff's typical corner towers and provided an individual "landmark".

To avoid a typical hard edged tenement frontage filling the corner site, a recessed entrance court to serve not only as a front garden but also provide a public place to enhance and contribute to the immediate street environment was created.

To achieve the necessary density, each flat layout and circulation space was rationally jigsawed into the geometry of the site, ensuring where possible that each was provided with the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view of the Perthshire countryside available from the location.

The building contract commenced in November 1990 and was completed on time using local contractors in August 1992. The finished building received subsequent acclaim from the Client, local residents and Council representatives as having firstly met the requirements of the brief on a complex site, but also having transformed the area from a derelict wasteland into residential accommodation serving the needs of the community.

"The architectural form and materials is one of individual expression but captured the Panel Members appreciation of such spirited enthusiasm which had been projected in the external façade. It was clear, however, the building has a substantial presence which is very much appreciated by the tenants and contributes greatly to the town.

It is indeed a landmark building designed with flair and ingenuity which the Panel considered worthy of such an award."

Saltire Visiting Jury