Cotton Yards, Old Rutherglen Road

Located in the heart of Glasgow’s Gorbals district, Cotton Yards is a striking redevelopment of a historic textile building originally constructed in 1820. With a rich legacy—from its beginnings as a working cotton mill to its life as the headquarters of knitwear manufacturer TwoMax—the building has now been sensitively transformed into high-quality residential apartments.

Project Overview

Base Metal Roofing was appointed to deliver the full roofing and cladding package. The objective was clear: retain the architectural significance of this heritage site while integrating a robust, modern metal system to meet contemporary performance and fire safety standards.

Client & Project Team

Client: Westpoint Homes
Architect: CRGP Architects
Metal Manufacturer: Prefa
Metal Supplier: ALM / Metra / Richard Austin Alloys
Construction Date: March 2025
Category Entered: Commercial

Scope of Work

Standing seam aluminium cladding
Architectural detailing
Full A1 fire-rated build-up
Brackets, rails, and fully supporting trapezoidal deck
Insulation using Rockwool Duo Slab
Installation of cavity barriers

Material Specification

Metal Type: Aluminium
Finish: Prefa P10 Metallic Silver
Thickness: 0.7mm
Installation Method: Standing seam
Substrate: A1 Fire Rated
Underlay: Isomat Pro Breather membrane

Metallic Silver was chosen for its clean, modern aesthetic—striking a visual balance between contemporary design and the industrial heritage of the original structure.

Design Considerations

Working on a Category B-listed heritage building in an urban setting brought several complexities. Maintaining the character of the original façade while delivering a watertight, fire-safe envelope required close coordination with the project team. The A1-rated build-up was a critical component, ensuring both compliance and durability within a tight urban footprint.

Outcomes

The completed works respect the building’s industrial past while introducing a crisp, modern edge through the use of precision metalwork. The standing seam cladding brings rhythm and refinement to the façade, elevating the structure's visual identity and future resilience.

This project underscores Base Metal Roofing’s ability to deliver high-specification metal systems in sensitive, heritage-rich environments—where modern performance must meet legacy architecture.