The Knab site occupies a substantial portion of a headland forming the eastern part of Lerwick, the capital of Shetland. Until recently, it was home to the former Anderson High School campus, which included several important listed buildings. With the completion of a new school campus, the site has become vacant.

GRAS was first appointed by Shetland Islands Council in 2017 to prepare a preliminary report assessing the significance of the listed buildings on the site as part of a wider masterplanning exercise. This report also identified suitable options for the future reuse of these heritage assets.

Following this, GRAS was commissioned to secure planning permission, listed building consent, and building warrant for the demolition of various modern structures on the site, including several linking corridors connected to the listed buildings. The project included the sympathetic infilling and making good of openings created by these demolitions, ensuring the listed buildings were properly protected.

Subsequently, GRAS was engaged to prepare a detailed report on the proposed ‘mothballing’ of the listed buildings. This report outlined recommended measures to minimise damage and deterioration during the period in which the buildings remain vacant and unused, helping to safeguard their fabric and significance for the future.