Bothwell Street Development, Edinburgh Building, Scottish Design, Image

Residential Development : Bothwell Street Building

Bothwell Residential Development, Scotland design by Oberlanders Architects

1 Nov 2012

14-18 Bothwell Street, Edinburgh, EH7 5YL

Design: Oberlanders Architects

image from architect

Bothwell Street Development

Oberlanders Architects are pleased to announce gaining Planning Application Approval from City of Edinburgh Council on the 24th of October 2012 for a 71 unit housing development submitted on behalf of JMI Associates. The proposal comprises a residential development and urban realm regeneration of a brownfield site within Edinburgh City Centre, situated in an area characterised by robust tenement housing, with private gardens to the rear. The design approach consists of a contemporary interpretation of the traditional tenement form, incorporating concealed parking, highly insulated external envelope and on-site energy generation technologies.

The proposal encircles a redeveloped pocket park, providing new public realm connections between Bothwell Street, Sunnyside and an adjacent proposed cycle route. The rejuvenated central green provides a focal point, and projects a sense of streetscape deep into the site, encouraging the use of the newly formed nodes and connections.

The 0.94 acre site is located near Easter Road in the North Eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre. The site was historically owned by the Hibernian Football Club in the 1800’s until sold for development. It’s currently vacant and most recently accommodated a small garage and medium sized industrial warehouse, now relocated.

The proposed residential development will comprise a mix of 71 apartments, of which 15 are three bedroom and 56 are two bedroom units. The massing, layout and design principles of this residential block are envisioned as a contemporary interpretation of the tenement scale housing which is typical of this area.

Urban realm works include alterations and landscaping to what is currently deemed a ‘low quality’ public open space adjacent to Bothwell Street. This will create a new pocket park providing an improved local amenity area, which will remain publicly accessible following the construction of the development. Additional public vehicular/pedestrian/cyclist connections will also be formed between Bothwell Street, Sunnyside and The Butterfly Project with the construction of a new shared surface access route. The landscape strategy allows for a large amount of planting and trees along this route, helping to form a green corridor connection between the Bothwell Street amenity green and the proposed Butterfly development beyond.

The proposed elevation encourages the regular repetition of tall windows and stair towers as a continuation of the character and rhythm of adjourning Bothwell Street tenements. As one moves deeper into the site, the elevation becomes more contemporary and incorporates an access balcony and raised landscape deck to screen under croft parking. Views of the proposed building are terminated by a slender tower, which marks the point of public connection between the site and proposed cycle route.

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SUSTAINABILITY
Where possible, the building has adopted a North South orientation achieving a high degree of passive solar gain. The incorporation of principal glazing and external terraces to the South facade of the building allow heat to be collected and stored within the building fabric and gradually released. The Northern side of the plan has been organised to house all services and fire escape routes reducing the need for inhabited spaces on this elevation.

The design of the building exceeds the requirements for Section 6 of the Building Standards. The external skin of the building will be insulated to a level which exceeds the minimum standards of 2007 BER Building Regulations, increasing the buildings thermal efficiency and leading to a reduced level of unwanted heat loss. This development will allow for the regeneration of a brownfield site which is currently not used to its full potential. Where possible, the hard surfacing of the site will be removed in favour of planting and a SUDS system.

LOW & ZERO CARBON (LZC) TECHNOLOGIES
The inclusion of photovoltaic modules within of the roof design will provide power for the lighting of communal areas within the building such as stairwells, lobbies, access balconies and the under croft zone.

Heat Exchange units will be incorporated as part of the ventilation strategy for kitchen and bathroom air exchange. This will lead to a significant reduction in the need for heating.

Bothwell Street Development images / information from Oberlanders Architects

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Comments / photos for the Bothwell Street Development – Edinburgh Building page welcome design by Oberlanders Architects