St Andrews West development / by Wellwood Leslie Architects

Wellwood Leslie Architects have worked with The R&A to develop proposals for their new staff headquarters, to be located within the St Andrews West development.

The building is intended to be the administrative base of The R&A’s worldwide operations located at the Home of Golf in St Andrews, and will bring together the majority of its staff from five existing locations to a modern, sustainable, distinctive, and collaborative working environment.

The building has a distinctive external appearance reflective of the status of The R&A as a world governing body and as a landmark building in the context of the St Andrews West masterplan.

The R&A has made a commitment to sustainability as a key component of the vision for the new building. It will have a range of sustainable features including; high levels of insulation, naturally daylight, and highly efficient MEP services with smart building controls. The project is to be assessed under the BREEAM standards with an “Excellent” rating targeted.

Landscape Architects Oobe Ltd design proposals set the building in its own curated landscape. Proposals are specifically reflective of a links golf environment, to create a setting for the new building appropriate for The R&A.

Structural design has been carried out by Goodson Associates, with the building to be constructed using hybrid steel frame, concrete deck, and timber Glulam roof systems. Glulam roof structures will contribute to the interior environment whilst replacing higher carbon steel components.

MEP systems proposed by Troup Bywaters + Anders are designed to be efficient, adaptable, and sustainable, and are proposed to minimise energy consumption. The building services strategy is designed to assist The R&A in its ambition to minimise carbon emissions and reduce environmental impact of its operations.

The project is to be taken forward under the guidance of Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors, AtkinsRéalis. Technical design development is ongoing, and construction is anticipated to commence in 2024.