Konishi Gaffney’s proposal for Timespan offers a regenerative, community-driven transformation of the existing arts venue, prioritising sustainability, adaptability, and cultural resonance. Through a fabric-first, low-carbon strategy, the scheme retains key elements of the current structure while introducing a distinctive new storey, triangular rooflights, and a dynamic gallery space overlooking the river.

Central to the design is the concept of the Commons - a shared courtyard framed by artist studios and a new entrance - which becomes a civic space for gathering, storytelling, and collaboration. A riverside café, flexible museum spaces, and a reconfigured internal layout improve usability, operational efficiency, and inclusivity.

In parallel, an artist-in-residence programme, led by David Lemm, will shape the project’s narrative and material palette, embedding the design in Helmsdale’s history and aspirations. The result is a deeply contextual architecture that not only serves its users but inspires them, rooted in community and driven by a bold, collective vision.