Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Maurice Hickey, 1961-3. Near rectangular-plan Brutalist spectator stand with deep cantilevered roof. Brick and concrete construction.

SW (SEATING) ELEVATION: central steps to ground floor section; 2-leaf glazed timber door; clerestory sidelights; clerestory lighting strips; plain buttresses divide bays. Pair of railed stairs on reverse U-plan supports concrete flank entrance leading to upper seating area; plastic seating; plain railed sides; central upper glazed timber enclosed viewing room; deep cantilever cover over.

NW (SIDE) ELEVATION: single timber doors to outer right and left of ground floor section; 2 square single windows to inner bays to left; near-central glazed timber door with 2 single windows to right.

NE (REAR) ELEVATION: central flat-roofed entrance; glazed timber door; letterbox fanlight; sidelights; advanced single storey brick sections to left and right; strip lighting above divided by plain buttresses rising up to advanced cantilever.

Variety of glazing patterns.

INTERIOR: (seen, 2012). Original room layout largely extant. Changing rooms with timber benches.

Statement of Special Interest

This is a distinctive early 1960s stadium with a deep cantilevered cover and concrete buttresses, overlooking the River Ayr. Few Brutalist stands were constructed, and this one is a rare example. Exploiting modern materials, the sculptural form of the building is visually eye-catching and adds significantly to the interest of the stadium. The cantilever design ensures there is no obstruction to the view of the playing field. The seating was originally timber, but this has been changed to plastic. The side elevation is similar to Peter Womersley's (with Ove Arup) Gala Fairydean Stadium in Galashiels, 1963-5 (see separate listing).

Maurice Hickey (1931-2007) was the Burgh Architect for Kilmarnock from 1964 and worked for the Strathclyde University's Estates Department from 1971 until 1997.

Scotland's place in the history of sport is exceptional. With the early origins of the games of curling and golf attributed to Scotland it is no surprise that our sporting-related architectural heritage is so rich and fascinating. Sport is an immensely significant part of our shared social and cultural history and one which continues to influence and shape our lives today. The architectural legacy of our sporting buildings tells us much about who we are as a nation.

List description updated as part of the sporting buildings thematic study (2012-13).

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.