With significant financial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the coalition now plans the first steps towards restoration.

In a landmark moment for Scottish cultural heritage, the Bernat Klein Studio Coalition, made up of partner organisations the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, has formally taken possession of the celebrated modernist gem, Peter Womersley’s Bernat Klein Studio in the Scottish Borders.

On 30th July, the coalition secured the Category A-listed studio at auction for £284,240 including costs and legal fees, overcoming fierce competition to ensure its future as a national creative asset.

A financial contribution from the National Trust for Scotland gave the coalition the confidence to make a competitive bid for the building, as well as a fundraising campaign led by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust which raised over £150,000 from crowdfunding and private pledges in just over one week.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, whose previous projects include Riddle’s Court on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, will now lead the delivery of a repair and restoration project working with the National Trust for Scotland and a range of conservation and architectural specialists. The immediate phase of works to secure the building is being supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund Scotland.

The grant of £245,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow Scottish Historic Buildings Trust to appoint a specialist conservation design team to investigate fully the condition of the building, which is currently in a severely dilapidated state and has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2002. Of particular concern is the condition of the building’s concrete cladding, an important element of Womersley’s 1972 design which will require careful assessment to understand and conserve.

Once complete, it is intended that The Studio will return to its original use as a design studio as well as being possible to visit, providing a permanent base in the Scottish Borders for the Bernat Klein Foundation, whose creatively-led projects include exhibitions, workshops, and talks.

The Bernat Klein Foundation will input into designs for the full restoration project, which will be developed in parallel with the urgent works over the next year. Full restoration costs are provisionally estimated to be in the region of £2.5-£3million.

Professor Alison Harley,  hair of Trustees, Bernat Klein Foundation, said: “These are exciting times for the Bernat Klein Foundation and our supporters. The coalition has worked long and hard to buy and protect the Klein Studio. Our new partnership will be focusing on the entwined legacies of Bernat Klein and Peter Womersley and this unique opportunity for the creative industries. In this next important stage of the project, the BKF will continue to support new creative output through its public programme inspired by Klein’s creative and cultural legacy.”

Philip Long OBE, chief executive, National Trust for Scotland, said: “The Trust, alongside many others within the coalition, has been working behind the scenes for several years to save this outstanding building. The modernist creation is so important, both for its architectural design and the rich heritage it represents as part of Scotland’s world-renowned creativity in textiles, and we are proud to support its restoration to safeguard its future. Through our partnership, we can be confident that this significant building, its stories and its place within Scotland’s heritage will be protected for generations to come.”

Dr Samuel Gallacher, director, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: “This will be a seminal project for Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, heralding new ways of working and a new approach to conserving modernist architecture. The scale of the repair and restoration required at Peter Womersley’s Bernat Klein Studio is extensive and will take many months, the skills of specialists and the support of the many people who have an interest in both Peter Womersley and Bernat Klein’s work.

“We are incredibly grateful to our first stage funders The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for their support, as well the Architectural Heritage Fund Scotland, which means we are now in the fortunate position to progress this project.”

Caroline Clark, director for Scotland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Bernat Klein’s work brought textiles from the Scottish Borders to the attention of Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and more. The studio became a unique focal point for an industry that is inextricably woven into the heritage of this area of Scotland.

“The Bernat Klein Studio Coalition taking possession of this very special building delivers an opportunity to give it a new creative life. We are very pleased that thanks to money raised by National Lottery players the Heritage Fund will be supporting essential repairs to secure its future and the equally important work of shaping that future.”

David Robertson, chief executive, Scottish Borders Council, said: “Peter Womersley’s Bernat Klein Studio is a proud part of our architectural heritage in the Scottish Borders. Given its importance, we have been encouraging a sustainable long-term solution for the building for some time, and are delighted to support this coalition of heritage and arts bodies who now offer an exciting future for The Studio which will strengthen not only our local heritage but provide new creative and economic opportunities for our region.”