Stow Station House

Client

Stow Community Trust

Location

Stow, Scottish Borders

Sector

Community

Stow Station, once scheduled for demolition, has been reimagined as a thriving community hub. Combining sensitive refurbishment with a contemporary extension, the building now hosts a bistro, meeting space, and bike hub. Respectful design preserves heritage while introducing new purpose, securing the station’s future as a landmark of community life.

The Challenge

With the reinstatement of the Waverley Line, Stow Station was scheduled for demolition. A strong local campaign saved the building, creating the opportunity to transform it into a vibrant community asset. The challenge lay in preserving heritage while introducing modern facilities that would serve future generations.

stow-station-house
stow-station-house
stow-station-house

Ben Glennon

Associate

Alasdair Rankin

Managing Director

Alistair Whitson

Associate

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Our Approach

The project carefully balanced old and new. The existing station was fully refurbished, with slates reused, original window patterns reinstated, and historic features like timber panelling and a glazed ticket office screen retained. A contemporary extension in timber and zinc was designed to contrast respectfully, evoking an industrial, railway-inspired aesthetic.

233

Sqm

176Years

Age of Building

3

Awards

The Conclusion

Now home to a bistro, meeting space, bike hub, and workshop, Stow Station has been reimagined as a welcoming and functional community hub. The project safeguards local heritage while providing lasting social and cultural value, ensuring the historic building remains relevant and meaningful for generations to come.

Ben Glennon

Associate

Ben plays a key role at Aitken Turnbull as Associate and leader of the Living Team, bringing strong design leadership, project management, and technical expertise throughout every stage of a project. With over 10 years at the practice, he has created award-winning designs that balance innovation, sustainability, and a genuine focus on community needs. Ben’s proactive, collaborative approach helps ensure projects not only meet client goals but also positively impact the places and people they serve. Passionate about community-led initiatives, he works closely with local groups to develop thoughtful, meaningful design solutions that truly make a difference.

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Alasdair Rankin

Managing Director

Alasdair leads Aitken Turnbull as Managing Director, guiding the strategic vision and steering the senior management team with clear purpose. With extensive experience as a project and framework director across diverse sectors, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the practice. His passion lies in Healthcare and Major Projects, where he excels in shaping strategic briefs and fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement. Alasdair’s thoughtful leadership ensures that every project aligns with both client goals and community needs, driving the continued growth and success of Aitken Turnbull.

 

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Alistair Whitson

Associate

Alistair is a highly experienced technical leader at Aitken Turnbull, bringing over 35 years of knowledge and expertise to the team. Educated at Edinburgh College of Art he has developed a wealth of experience as a technical leader, and has extensive experience across a range of sectors including Healthcare and Residential projects. Alongside his technical leadership, he also oversees IT within the practice, ensuring systems run smoothly and efficiently. With a practical, hands-on approach and a wealth of insight, Alistair supports the team in delivering well-crafted, reliable solutions for every project.

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Alistair Whitson
Alistair Whitson
Alistair Whitson
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