A striking modernist workspace for textile designer Bernat Klein, now the focus of a heritage-led restoration project near Selkirk.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1972
- Architect
- Peter Womersley
- Designation
- Category A listed building, LB19484
- Location
- High Sunderland, near Selkirk, Scottish Borders
- OS grid reference
- NT 47376 31377
Architecture and purpose
Womersley designed the two-storey studio beside Klein’s earlier home, High Sunderland. Concrete beams and a projecting upper floor establish strong horizontal lines, contrasting with the surrounding trees. Glazed walls, a brick base and central service core bring together substantial structure and delicate detailing. A bridge connects the upper level to higher ground.
Klein commissioned it for design, weaving, displaying samples and meetings. Its open interiors organised these activities around the central core. HES identifies the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and records an RIBA award in 1973 and the Edinburgh Architectural Association Centenary Medal. Listed in 1994, it was upgraded from Category B to A in 2002.
Rescue and restoration
In July 2025, a coalition of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, National Trust for Scotland and Bernat Klein Foundation secured the studio at auction. Their project aims to conserve the building and bring it back into creative and community use.
On 11 August 2026, SHBT announced procurement of a conservation design team to develop the restoration. This record does not assume that an appointment has since been made or that building work is complete. The project website provides current news and ways to support its future.
What to notice
- The projecting concrete floors and contrasting glazing.
- The brick core rising through the structure.
- The entrance bridge and relationship with sloping woodland.
Access
Routine public opening has not been confirmed. Consult the restoration project before planning a visit, and attend only through advertised or agreed arrangements. A map marker is not an invitation to enter the site. The neighbouring High Sunderland house is a separate property.
Sources and further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: LB19484 — statutory designation, architecture, chronology and grid reference.
- Scottish Historic Buildings Trust: design team sought, 11 August 2026 — rescue and restoration programme.
- Bernat Klein Studio Restoration Project — project updates.
Explore the local context: Selkirk.
Location
OS grid reference NT 47376 31377 · Location confidence: High: HES designation LB19484 supplies easting 347376, northing 631377; converted from British National Grid to WGS84. Marker represents the studio, not a visitor entrance. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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