Bernat Klein Studio: Bid to save one of Scotland’s most important 20th century buildings

Designed in 1972 by renowned modernist architect Peter Womersley, the Bernat Klein Studio is one of Scotland’s most important twentieth-century buildings.

The late modernist studio in the Scottish Borders was built for Serbian textile designer Bernat Klein, whose home High Sutherland was within walking distance of the building. Klein fabrics were used by many world famous fashion houses including Chanel and Dior.

But the category A-listed building, a jewel of late 20th-century architecture, is at risk of being lost forever after its owners put the building up for auction through the Savills with an indicative price of £18,000.

The building has been vacant for decades and is in severe disrepair, featuring on the Scottish buildings at risk register since 2002. 

Heritage groups had hoped to buy the property from the owners privately, but they now face potentially competing with other bidders who could push up the price when the building is put up for auction on 30 July. 

A coalition of heritage and design groups including the National Trust for Scotland, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and the Bernat Klein Foundation, have come together to launch a last-minute attempt to save the building.

Bernat Klein at work in the Studio, 1970s. Credit: Bernat Klein Archive, Heriot Watt University

A condition survey and structural assessment by Scottish Borders Council in 2023 revealed the building has significant and myriad issues from its prolonged vacancy, water-damage, deterioration, and acts of vandalism. It is estimated the full cost of restoration undertaken by specialists could exceed £3 million. 

So far nearly £24,000 has been raised through a crowdfunding effort to purchase the building. 

‘We all want the building to be sensitively conserved and restored to be part of Scotland’s creative and cultural heritage for future generations,’ Professor Alison Harley, Chair of Trustees, Bernat Klein Foundation, said.

‘The Coalition believes that Klein’s studio should be returned to its original use, highlighting the important legacy of textile and design and creating an attraction to Scotland and the Scottish Borders. 

‘This is a building that has been kept to the fore by the Peter Womersley group, who have long campaigned to see such internationally celebrated architecture brought back into public use, as is now intended by the Coalition.

‘Klein transformed the Scottish textile industry and the Borders weaving industry from its post-war doldrums.  His design philosophy influenced fashion, fine art, interiors and architecture.  Klein also leaves a vibrant archive to inspire generations.’

Bernat Klein Studio, May 2025. Credit: Scottish Historic Buildings Trust

Womersley created the studio for Klein after being influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s modernist house Fallingwater in Pennsylvania.

It went on to win a RIBA Design Award and the Edinburgh Architectural Association Centenary Medal in 1973 for its exemplary use and combination of the materials of concrete, brick, steel and glass.

In 2005 The Bernat Klein Studio was ranked 5th on architecture magazine Prospect’s list of the 100 best modern Scottish buildings, and along with High Sunderland is included on DoCoMoMo’s 1993 list of 60 notable post-war buildings in Scotland. Both concrete buildings are set within a designed landscape that was carefully planned by Klein.

The coalition, which is supported by the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Twentieth Century Society, plans to return the building to its original purpose as a design studio and public education centre run by the foundation.

‘Attempting to buy at auction is a real unknown,’ Dr Samuel Gallacher, Director, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said.

‘This is why our call for donations and support is so important to make sure we have the best possible chance to acquire this unique building. 

Concept drawing of Bernat Klein Studio as a visitor attraction. Credit: Matt Loader at Loader Monteith Architects, 2023

‘We know that there are many people who have campaigned to save this building for many years, whose hard work has helped get us to this position, and with the broad passion out there for both Bernat Klein and Peter Womersley we are grateful for each and every donation which will have a real impact to make our dream for this building a reality.

‘This is no easy task and will require us to assemble a highly specialist team of experts. However, this will be an investment with a broad impact. 

‘Thinking to Scotland’s rich heritage of twentieth century architecture, much of which is at risk and is poorly adapted to our changing climate, this project can be an exemplar of how to save our modernist and brutalist buildings.’

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