en.Wedoany.com Reported - The £68.7 million renovation project of Paisley Museum, led by Renfrewshire Council and OneRen, won the "Heritage Project" category at the RICS Awards Scotland ceremony held at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

The refurbishment, led by Kier Construction, competed against Canna House, The National Trust Scotland, Preston Tower Doocot and Gardens, and John O’Groats Mill for the national award. The project will now advance to the RICS UK Grand Final, to be held in October this year.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Renfrewshire Council's spokesperson for culture and chair of OneRen, the charity that operates the museum, said the construction phase of the project is now complete, with Kier Construction bringing the ambitious design by AL_A to life. The museum is set to reopen in late 2026, offering hundreds of thousands of visitors a fresh perspective on the stories of Paisley, Scotland, and the world. Hughes added that the museum is the culmination of over a decade of investment in Paisley's cultural buildings and the town itself, which has changed perceptions of the area and recently led to it being named "Scottish Town of the Year." She said she cannot wait for the museum to reopen and wished the team good luck at the RICS UK Grand Final in October.

Kier Scotland led the award submission for the project. They transformed the design by architects AL_A into a tourist attraction.

Phil McDowell, Regional Director for Kier Construction in the North and Scotland, said winning the heritage category is a strong endorsement of the goals they set for Paisley Museum. Museums like this are vital community assets, and everything must now be done to preserve and modernise them for future audiences. Working with OneRen and Renfrewshire Council, the project respects the town's rich cultural heritage while placing modern design and innovation at its core, ensuring the museum remains relevant, inclusive, and inspiring for generations to come.

The museum renovation also includes a red glass accessible entrance. The Category A-listed main building and Coats Observatory—Scotland's oldest public observatory—have been modernised with extensive external and internal repairs, featuring refreshed galleries on every floor and an increased number of exhibits on display.

New gardens and public areas have been added to reveal previously hidden views of the observatory. Learning zones, a heritage archive centre, and a new café and shop have also been introduced.

Exhibition fit-out specialist Hub Build is leading the next phase of the project, preparing and adding more exhibits produced by exhibition designer OPERA Amsterdam. In the final stage of the project, over 1,250 items will be installed.

Kerry Gibbs MRICS, Chair of the RICS UK National Awards, said that with over 300 entries received across all 12 RICS regions this year, these awards are highly significant. They help showcase the positive impact of surveyors and construction on individuals and communities, and promote the role of surveying in delivering such projects.

The project received funding from Renfrewshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Scottish Government, as well as fundraising from donors and patrons.