Leslie Burgher  Chartered Architect

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I set up my own practice in 2005. With 15 years of experience of working as an architect I wanted to get back to the day-to-day practice of architecture and retain direct control of design

Since then I have worked for a range of clients, from private individuals to commercial firms and public sector bodies. See my portfolio for details of individual projects.

This has included housing developments for Orkney Housing Association at Neuketineuks and North Ronaldsay.

In 2010, Covingtrie House was recognised in the Inverness Architectural Association's Awards in the category 'New Life for Old Buildings'

I prepared the initial bid which enabled Orkney Islands Council to obtain £3.8m of funding for the Stromness THI project, which saw major regeneration of the town's historic centre and subsequently assisted in preparation of the Kirkwall THI bid.

 

Prior to setting up my own practice I gained a wide range of experience both in Orkney and elsewhere:

After studying Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art I worked briefly in London for the Stillman Eastwick Field Partnership on projects for clients such as the National Gallery,  University College and Rugby School

Returning to Edinburgh I worked for
Roland Wedgwood Associates on projects
within the World Heritage Site and
across the South of Scotland

After this I worked as Estate Development Officer for Edinburgh College of Art.

In 1997 I returned home to Orkney to work for Pentarq, then known as Stockan, Sloan and Sinclair Macdonald. I set up their Kirkwall Architects' Office, becoming a partner, then a Director when the firm incorporated in 2000. They were voted UK Construction Consultant of the Year in 2004, recognised for their use of IT systems which I developed, and employed up to 20 people. My work included award-winning public and private projects such as:

...

I have held Accreditation in Conservation Architecture from the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland to Advanced Level.

I have also designed a number of projects with ecological design features such as passive solar design, ground source heat pumps and the use of traditional building materials like lime.

Outside work my interests include:
Theatre Design for the St Magnus Festival
and elsewhere......

picture: set for Barriers:
an original play by Alan Plater
for St. Magnus Festival

I wrote the RIAS Guide to the
Architecture of Orkney....

I won the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Photography Award for three years running......

I am Norway's Honorary Consul for Orkney
 
and a former committee member of
Orkney Norway Friendship Association with a keen
interest in the country and its architecture.

I am Chair
of the Board of
 
St Magnus International Festival
I am a former Chairman of
 
Orkney Heritage Society
from 2009-14,
Chairman of
orkneycommunities.co.uk,
I am a Council member of
 
The Society of the
Friends of St. Magnus Cathedral

© Leslie Burgher