Oldhamstocks Village Hall

LOCATION: Oldhamstocks, East Lothian

CLIENT: Oldhamstocks Community Association

The Vision

Oldhamstocks is a small East Lothian village of medieval, agricultural origin, nestled in a valley of the Lammermuir Hills. Dating from the 12th century, the name Oldhamstocks is also of considerable antiquity, being Anglo-Saxon in rood and meaning ‘place of old habitation or dwelling’.

The village is characterised by handsome vernacular buildings, many of which are listed, stone walls and hedgerows, which open out onto the south-facing village green; a uniquely beautiful gathering place for its inhabitants. The village hall and green have historically been at the heart of this rural community and those who live in Oldhamstocks consider them to be an extension of their home, holding it in great affection through its ability to offer a collective, social experience.

In 2020, CSY were commissioned by the Oldhamstocks Community Association to undertake an extensive feasibility study, which investigated the replacement of the existing village hall on its current site, located at the heart of the Oldhamstocks Conservation Area.

The Solution

The team at CSY were intrigued by the notion of a new village hall sitting on the site of its predecessor; suggesting a sense of continuity and familiarity. Following a series of community engagement events, a brief was developed that required a flexible multi-purpose hall alongside ancillary spaces such as kitchen, toilets and meeting areas.

Our initial thoughts were that the new building should be meaningful yet modest and respectful of its historic context. A pitched main roof sat atop a series of single storey elevations expresses a form and scale familiar with village halls across Scotland. The simplicity of form belies the consideration given to approach and spatial programming. A recessed, south facing entrance with flanking stone walls creates a strong sense of threshold and shelter whilst allowing social activities to spill out onto the village green.

A simple and economical material palette of timber and profiled metal sheeting has been selected to identify with the rural context and provide a robust exterior to a highly, insulated envelope that benefits from thermal massing due to its significant southern aspect. This fabric first approach is complimented by renewable technologies incorporating an air source heat pump and photovoltaic panels.

The Conclusion

Our work, to date, with the Oldhamstocks Community Association has shown that a successful village hall gives an inimitable identity to a community, referencing their past and helping to shape their future.

Existing Hall