The new Waitrose store in Helensburgh comprises a 36,500ft2 supermarket and fuel station with a combined total of 180 car parking spaces. The development is located opposite the new Hermitage Academy and together these form a prominent gateway to the town’s eastern approach along Cardross Road. The active frontage to Cardross Road comprises the main entrance, checkout zone and visitor cafe all gathered into a linear pavilion and framed with an inverted ‘gullwing’ timber clad roof providing a warmth of materials and welcoming, uplifting environment. The composition recognises contemporary northern European design principles, its maritime setting and the use of sustainable local materials. Designed to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards, the store’s sustainable design maximises the use of natural daylight, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, utility submetering and many other carbon reduction initiatives. The site layout afforded generous opportunity to maximise soft landscaping, particularly to the western boundary where a dense belt of trees and accessible pathways are situated. The existing trees have been reinforced with additional semi-mature willow trees, along with other species complimentary to Helensburgh’s costal climate, which have created a more bio diverse and structurally varied habitat.