Neuketineuks, Wellington Street, Kirkwall

Name:: Neuketineuks, Wellington Street, Kirkwall
Region:: Orkney
Nominated by:: Orkney Heritage Society
Year:: 2011
Award category:: General
Project status:: Entrant
Architect/Lead designer:: Leslie Burgher Chartered Architect

Summary Description

The project consists of the restoration of a short terrace of traditional Kirkwall houses: one of the last groups that had not undergone any modernisation.

Neuketineuks is a winding lane (with many 'neuks') which ran behind the houses on this part of Kirkwall's original single street. The houses date from the early 19th century.

Extension and some remodelling was required to provide accommodation meeting the Housing Association's requirements. The essential guiding principal was that the principal frontage should be faithfully restored and that the new work should complement this.

A block of semi-detached houses was erected in the garden to the rear which helped to make the project viable. Parking was located off-site on ground nearby owned by the Housing Association.

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Supporting Statement

Orkney Heritage Society has been approached by Orkney Islands Council to put...

Orkney Heritage Society has been approached by Orkney Islands Council to put the project forward. Many people have welcomed the restoration of these houses which have been deteriorating slowly over many years. It is hoped that the use of traditional materials will be encouraged by the example of Neuketineuks.

Building User's View

Buildings are still to be occupied. The buildings are to be in...

Buildings are still to be occupied. The buildings are to be in shared ownership and this takes longer to arrange than normal tenancies but the houses are expected to be occupied shortly..

Building Owner's View

On Saturday 9 October 2010 Orkney Housing Association (OHAL) celebrated both the...

On Saturday 9 October 2010 Orkney Housing Association (OHAL) celebrated both the completion of a special renovation project in a historic part of Kirkwall and 25 years of providing affordable homes for the people of Orkney.

Present and former Committee, staff and associates of the OHAL gathered to hear former Chair, Rosie Wallace reminisce about her times with the organisation and to see her cut the cake commissioned to commemorate the 25 year milestone.

An estimated 250 members of the public viewed the newly completed houses after a ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by Bee Rendall, a sharing owner of OHAL whose Great Grandmother had lived in one of the original houses in the late 1840’s.

Renovation of the listed buildings has reinstated the traditional appearance of the original terraced houses but with up to date insulation, double glazing and air source heat pumps, these houses and the new build properties at the rear, are right up to 21st Century standards.

Wendy Baikie, OHAL Chair, commented: “we are really delighted to have had the opportunity to revive these derelict properties and at the same time provide much needed housing for four households in Kirkwall. We are grateful to Orkney Islands Council for topping up our Scottish Government Grant with Second Homes Council Tax monies, without which a development like this would not have been possible.”

The new properties comprise 2 x 2 bedroom refurbished terraced houses and 2 x 1 bedroom new build semi-detached houses in the back garden. These properties are being marketed under the Scottish Government’s New Supply Shared Equity Scheme which helps households who are unable to buy on the open market, to purchase a property at between 60 and 80% of its market price. The remaining equity share is held by the Scottish Government.