Edinburgh Building News 2022, Lothian Architecture Images, Architects, Property Design Scotland

Edinburgh Building News 2022: Architecture

Edinburgh Building News 2023

Edinburgh Architecture News 2022 – Autumn / Winter

31 Dec 2022
Glencoe Base Station by Glasgow’s anderson bell + christie
Glencoe Base Station unveiled on e-architect.

23 Dec 2022
Scottish Government Passivhaus Bill
The Scottish Government have adopted the private members bill that was proposed by Labour MSP Alex Rowley.

The bill will become law within two years. It will see Scottish new-build housing having to meet Passivhaus standards or equivalent.

Date lodged: 16 November 2022

A proposal for a Bill to introduce new minimum environmental design standards for all new-build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, in order to improve energy efficiency and thermal performance:

Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill

17 Dec 2022
Rowanbank Gardens Topping Out

image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate
A major landmark at one of the UK’s most sustainable new homes developments has been reached with the ‘Topping Out’ of Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine. Structural building work on the final phase of Artisan Real Estate’s 126-apartment development – described as a ‘spectacular blueprint for low carbon living’ – has now been completed:
Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh property

25 Nov 2022
New design guide to transform Scotland’s approach to affordable housing

image courtesy of TRACE

A new catalogue of net zero carbon building designs could provide a significant boost to Scotland’s affordable housing sector, as part of a standardised approach for local authorities and housing associations to adopt across a range of future developments.

The energy-efficient design and performance standards have been created by the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme:

Edinburgh Home Demonstrator project

18 Nov 2022
Edinburgh Project Manager
Salary: £65000.00 – £75000.00 per annum

Glasgow Senior Site Engineer
Salary: £45000.00 – £50000.00 per annum

See the architect jobs page for details.

16 Nov 2022
BDP scoops double win at Learning Places Scotland Awards

BDP was presented with two awards and a double commendation at the annual Learning Places Scotland Awards on Tuesday 15 November at the Hilton Glasgow. The awards celebrate outstanding projects that support the best education outcomes:

See Ayr Education Hub Building

11 Nov 2022
Building a green heat industry

Backed by multi-million pound funding, the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan sets out the practical steps that will be taken to support the growth of the green heat sector – including supporting green jobs, leveraging private investment and helping businesses seize the economic opportunities offered by the transition to net zero:

See Scottish Architecture News

10 Nov 2022
Holmes Miller Architecture News
Architecture firm Holmes Miller, a leading specialist in educational building design, is in with a top chance of clinching another accolade, with four projects up for the Learning Places Scotland Awards later this month.

10 Nov 2022
Holmes Miller up for four accolades at flagship schools design awards
Architecture firm Holmes Miller, a leading specialist in educational building design, is in with a top chance of clinching another accolade, with four projects up for the Learning Places Scotland Awards later this month.
Held in partnership with the Scottish Government, the event celebrates excellence and achievement in education, recognising the consultants, contractors, architects and clients involved in education projects, as well as innovation and sustainability.

6 Nov 2022
13 of Edinburgh’s ‘ugliest’ buildings
Edinburgh is renowned the world over for its beauty, and is home to a range of architectural gems, from Georgian and Victorian through to post-war constructions, reports the Edinburgh Evening News:
1. 86 Princes Street – New Club
2. Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, George Square
3. Argyle House, West Port
4. Cables Wynd House ‘Banana’ flats, Leith
5. Castle Terrace car park
6. Edinburgh University Library
7. Appleton Tower, University of Edinburgh
8. Jury’s Inn hotel, Jeffrey Street
9. No 1 Osborne Terrace, Haymarket
10. 7 Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh
11. University of Edinburgh David Hume Tower, George Square
12. St James Centre (Ed – but it is mostly demolished!)
13. St James Quarter

Edinburgh’s ugliest buildings

28 Oct 2022
Senior Architect Job
A leading UK construction group, who operate in both the public and commercial sectors, deliver architectural services to the construction, infrastructure, fit-out, urban regeneration and the affordable housing arm of their business, require a senior architect at £40 – 45k per year – see the Glasgow Architecture website’s news page.

25 + 24 Oct 2022
Cramond Inn…or Cramond Out?

Public Meeting to Discuss the Future of the Cramond Inn –
7.30 pm, Monday 24th October

The Cramond Association has arranged a public meeting to bring the local community together to discuss the future of Edinburgh’s historic Cramond Inn which has remained closed since the pandemic.

Working in partnership with Cramond & Barnton Community Council, the meeting is geared to creating a local action group to get the Inn, owned by brewery company Samuel Smiths, open and functioning again. Speaking at the event will be a representative of Community Shares Scotland to present a ‘model’ for community ownership.

Chair of the Cramond Association Adam Cumming said: “The ongoing closure of the Cramond Inn is one of the most important current issues of concern both for local people and for the thousands of visitors who regularly visit the Cramond Foreshore. The Inn has always played a historic role in providing an important local focal point for our community, as well as providing a stunning location from which to explore and enjoy the local area. To have its doors shut, with no immediate prospect of reopening is a very sad state of affairs for all of us. We would like to open a positive dialogue with the Inn’s owners to explore all possibilities of it opening up for business and, once again, being at the heart of our local community.”

The open meeting will take place on Monday 24th October at the Millennium Hall at Cramond Kirk Halls, starting at 7.30 pm. For more information, visit www.cramondassociation.org.uk

21 Oct 2022
Red Sandstone Building

image courtesy of the Drum Property Group
One of Edinburgh’s most famous streets is set to be significantly revitalised by the Drum Property Group. The ‘Red Sandstone’ building at 106 to 154 Leith Walk was first completed in 1933 in the Scottish Art Deco style:
Red Sandstone Building, Leith Walk

18 Oct 2022
Consultation Launches for Homes-Led Redevelopment of Former Deutsche Bank Offices in Edinburgh’s City Centre

A public consultation for the homes-led redevelopment of one of Edinburgh city centre’s largest potential development sites is to be launched later this month. The architectural design is by 7N Architects.

Regeneration specialists Artisan Real Estate has formed a joint venture company with fund manager REInvest Asset Management to redevelop the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, near the Crewe Toll roundabout. The office and data-processing centre was formerly the Scottish base for State Street Bank until the building was vacated by the bank in 2018.

Consultation for the site, to be known as 525 Park View, will begin with a drop-in public meeting on Saturday 28 October, at Fetlor Youth Club on Crewe Road South, between 12 noon and 4 pm. The open session will allow members of the local community to meet the design team behind the proposed project, which includes Edinburgh-based 7N Architects.

Follow-up design workshops are also planned before the end of the year, with a full presentation of the final scheme, ahead of any planning submission, anticipated for early 2023. A project website www.525parkview.co.uk has been set up to provide more details of the project proposals and the ongoing consultation process. All presentation boards will be published on the website within 48 hours of each event, with an opportunity to comment and feedback.

Welcoming the consultation launch, Artisan’s Regional Director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create a long-term sustainable future for what is a predominantly redundant building and bringing a new community to an accessible city centre site. Our initial ideas will be guided by sustainability and low-carbon design and encompass a mix of development, led mainly by residential as well as much-needed affordable housing and ancillary commercial uses.”

Artisan Real Estate has a strong track record in delivering complex residential and mixed-use regeneration projects in sensitive city centre environments across the UK. This includes the award-winning “New Waverley” in Edinburgh’s Old Town and the current Rowanbank Gardens homes development to the west of the city, described as a ‘spectacular blueprint for low carbon living’.

REInvest Asset Management was founded in Luxembourg as a specialist for future-facing investment ideas and currently manages and develops properties across Europe with a value in excess of EUR 2.3 billion. 525 Park View is held in a progressive property fund within a pan-European portfolio managed on behalf of a German insurance group.

Thomas Merkes, Head of Asset Management at REInvest Asset Management added: “Our joint venture partnership with Artisan represents a major step forward in providing an innovative and collaborative mixed-use development solution to unlock the potential for this significant city centre site, which is set to create a genuinely transformational development in an accessible city centre location. We are looking forward to the launch of the consultation which will provide the perfect platform to show how we can make a positive contribution to the local area, bringing investment, life and excitement back to this important part of the Capital.”

For more information on Artisan Real Estate visit: www.artisanrealestate.co.uk. For more information on REInvest Asset Management, visit: www.reinvest-am.lu/en

6 Oct 2022
Urban Union Board Members News
Urban Union, one of the country’s leading regeneration firms, is strengthening its board with three new appointments to drive the business forward as it expands its operations across the central belt:

see the Glasgow Architecture website’s news page for more details.

6 + 5 Oct 2022
JRA Edinburgh studio
• New studio will be led by Angela St Clair-Ford, Associate Director
• Edinburgh is the third location for the international architecture practice, adding to its established offices in central London and Poland
• Studio will focus on interior design projects, as well as supporting projects outside central London, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Scotland
John Robertson Architects Edinburgh studio

6 Oct 2022
Construction Sector in Scotland

Positive view of the construction sector in Scotland

as Minister Ivan McKee addresses industry leaders at SELECT President’s Lunch

“Transformational change” is needed across the construction industry to prepare for the challenges of net zero, Scottish Government Minister Ivan McKee told guests of SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade association.

In a keynote speech to an event hosted by the campaigning body, Mr McKee also highlighted the importance of a shared vision between Holyrood and the industry of a sustainable, profitable and diverse sector.

The Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise made his comments when he addressed the inaugural SELECT President’s Lunch, sponsored by Electrium, at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.

Mr McKee said: “Transformational change is needed across the industry to prepare for the new decarbonisation workload, constructing and refurbishing assets to meet Net Zero targets in a resource-efficient way.

“The next 10 years have been labelled the ‘Decisive Decade’. Every country is facing fundamental choices about how to recover from the pandemic; build a net zero economy; embrace new technology; and strengthen their position in emerging industries such as environmental technology, genomics, digital, cyber security and robotics.

“By 2032 we want Scotland to be a wellbeing economy, thriving across economic, social and environmental dimensions.

“Deep retrofit of existing buildings, embracing low-carbon and low-energy materials and modern methods of construction are foundational to delivering our goals and I hope the industry will continue to collaborate with the Scottish Government and each other to meet the challenges of the coming decade.”

In an acknowledgement of the importance of training to the future of the sector, Mr McKee pointed out that the level of adult trainees and apprentices in the electrotechnical industry was at its highest level for 12 years.

The Minister – an engineer who had his own international manufacturing consultancy before entering politics – also praised the ongoing work of the Construction Industry Collective Voice for facilitating the sector’s safe return to work after the pandemic.

He also highlighted the contribution of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) and revealed that the keenly-anticipated Scottish Construction Accord between the public sector and the industry, as recommended by the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS), would be published at the end of this month.

He said: “Our shared ambition is to transform the industry into the sustainable, profitable, diverse and innovative sector Scotland needs, and we need to work together at pace to deliver on our ambitions.

“Collaboration can help to reduce both risk and costs for businesses on their Net Zero journey, and there will also be significant opportunities for growth.

“The successes delivered so far demonstrate the power of us working together. And when we get it right, everyone wins – businesses, people and the planet.”

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, who introduced the Minister at the event on September 30, said: “We were pleased that the Minister was able to join us as we reflected on the challenges the sector has faced and the constructive and innovative ways in which they have been overcome.

“We very much appreciate the clear understanding he has of the main issues that businesses are facing at the moment, and the ways in which we can cooperate and work collectively to address them.

“The Construction Accord will be another very important step forward in what the Minister has rightly called the Decisive Decade and, as he says, if we get it right, we will all win.”

The event was also addressed by SELECT President Alistair Grant who, with Alan Wilson, presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Len Bunton.

Len, an internationally-recognised construction consultant, is best known for his tireless crusade for better conditions across the industry, most lately with the Conflict Avoidance Process and Conflict Avoidance Pledge.

5 Oct 2022
New statistics show housing completions still below pre-Covid levels

The Scottish Government’s latest housing statistics have revealed that housing completions across all tenures in Scotland are still below pre-Covid levels.

Whilst 20,767 new homes were built in 2021/22, Homes for Scotland (HFS) highlighted that this is still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“After the challenges presented by the pandemic, these figures demonstrate the resilience of the home building sector after completion levels dropped below 15,000 in 2020/21. However, they also show how far behind we still are, so it is frustrating that there is such a timelag in reporting, particularly when we continue to face major obstacles to achieving sustained growth, not least of which include planning, material and labour shortages as well as increased costs.

“Up-to-date statistics are essential to supporting effective, evidence-based policy decision-making which is why we have committed to working with the Scottish Government to identify and address the data gaps that exist.

“Such collaboration between the public and private sectors and government at national and local levels is vital to delivering the homes that Scotland’s people need.”

3 Oct 2022
Buchanan Wharf Building Tops Out
Drum Property Group’s £500m regeneration of Buchanan Wharf on Clydeside in Glasgow has reached another significant development milestone with the completion of structural work for its final building phase.

See the Glasgow Building News page for details.

23 Sep 2022

UK Chancellor’s Growth Plan News

Scotland’s home builders have responded to the Chancellor’s Growth Plan announcement by highlighting the growing policy divergence between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

As the Chancellor permanently doubled the nil rate for Stamp Duty to £250,000, raised the threshold for First Time Buyers to £425,000 and announced measures to increase housing supply, Homes for Scotland commented – see the Glasgow Architecture website’s news page.

20 Sep 2022
Springfield suspends affordable and PRS housing activity amid unclear policy environment

Springfield Properties said today it has put all long-term fixed-price affordable housing contracts on hold and has temporarily suspended its expansion into the private rented sector (PRS) amid concern about market conditions and the Scottish Government’s future rent freeze policy.

Announcing otherwise upbeat end-of-year results for the group, the stock market-listed housebuilder said it had taken the “pragmatic decision to temporarily pause entering into new large, long-term affordable contracts in order to protect its margins”.

During the year under review, the group achieved its highest ever affordable housing revenue. The number of affordable home completions increased by 11.6% to 405 (2021: 363). Average selling price increased to £159k (2021: £146k) as a result of a change in housing mix. However, revenue and margin in affordable housing were impacted by price inflation.

This was partly due to key subcontractors going out of business, which necessitated the group finding replacement subcontractors that led to some delays and higher costs. In particular, the margin suffered from the delivery of two large, long-term contracts that had been signed in early 2020 and was therefore based on expectations of lower material and labour costs.

Springfield added that the longer-term fundamentals of affordable housing “remain strong” and the group expects to recommence signing contracts “when more normal market conditions resume” and following the Scottish Government’s next affordable housing investment benchmark review to reflect inflation, which is expected to occur in November 2022.

“As a result of the action taken in affordable housing, the group is well positioned for when the market normalises,” it added.

Notwithstanding delivery of the contract at Bertha Park, the group’s strategy to expand its PRS activity with Sigma is currently on hold due to emergency legislation that is being introduced in Scotland, as announced earlier this month, to protect tenants by freezing rents and imposing a moratorium on evictions until at least 31 March 2023.

Springfield said it recognises that this is “a temporary measure designed to support families facing fuel poverty this winter”, adding that the group “continues to believe that the delivery of PRS housing offers a viable revenue stream in the longer term”.

The housebuilder added: “Whilst this does not impact the group’s existing agreement to deliver 75 PRS homes, any decisions on the expansion of this activity will wait until the policy environment is clearer.”

The announcements came as Springfield Properties announced its final results for the year ended 31 May 2022, reporting record revenue and profit and the delivery of more than 1,000 homes in a year for the first time.

For the year to 31st May 2022, Springfield grew revenue by 19% to £257.1m (2021: £216.7m) and pre-tax profit by 10% to £19.7m (2021: £17.9).

16 Sep 2022
Project Manager in Edinburgh
Salary: £70,000.00 – £85,000.00 per annum
A growing developer with a strong employee proposition in the market. As they commence a large project in a prime residential area in Edinburgh they are seeking to appoint a Project Manager / Senior Project Manager to deliver this flagship project:
Edinburgh Architect Jobs

13 Sep 2022
Scottish Building is amongst WAF 2022 Finalists for the Special Prizes
World Architecture Festival (WAF) has announced the 2022 Special Prize shortlist.

The Futureglass Prize, is awarded to the project that best demonstrates new ways in which glass and glass technology can be deployed. The finalists include the newly redeveloped Burrell Collection in Glasgow:
Burrell Museum

6 Sep 2022

Affordable Housing In Scotland – Private Developer Contributions

Current trends demonstrate a need for policy environment and genuine partnership approach supporting the delivery of homes of all tenures.

Around a third of new affordable housing in Scotland is directly delivered through contributions from private developers, it was revealed today:

Scottish Architecture News

3 Sep 2022
St Andrews West Property
A major residential expansion of St Andrews designed by Studio LBA is set to start in September. This follows the receipt of planning consent from Fife Council for the first phase of housing.

St Andrews West is described as an ‘exemplar new urban development’ and is part of a broader masterplan that will ultimately constitute up to 900 homes along with a university, business and employment land.

Phase 1 comprises the first 38 of 96 units – including a mix of terraced, semi-detached housing, flats and maisonettes. Incorporating air source heat pumps, biodiverse landscaping the project aims to reduce energy consumption through high levels of insulation and air-tightness.

Edinburgh Architecture News 2022 – Summer

23 Aug 2022
Biophilic Design by BDP
Bruce Kennedy, Architect Director at BDP (Glasgow), talks about the use of biophilic design for the Heriot Watt campus in Dubai:
Heriot Watt campus Dubai biophilic design.

10 Aug 2022
Belford Road Property Development

New building warranty specialists, J3 Advisory was instructed by AMA Homes to place the building warranty insurance on its £24million Belford Road scheme in Edinburgh. The policy from the specialist insurance and structured finance advisory firm will provide cover for any damage as a result of defective design, workmanship, or materials after practical completion.

AMA has been at the forefront of residential and commercial development in Edinburgh for over 35 years, having converted many iconic properties and created landmark buildings that have helped shape the city’s architectural landscape.

This insurance will enable the developer to proceed with plans for the redevelopment of the site to 78,000 sq ft of residential space and 44 car parking spaces on-site and provide a 10-year cover.

Head of business development, Daisy Neall, was able to secure quotes from two additional A-rated insurers, adding to the terms AMA Homes received directly before engaging J3.

J3 Advisory managing director, Jack Bristow, said: “We’re an ambitious business, and our aim is to advise experienced developers on the best way to insure and fund their pipeline of schemes. There is a very real gap in the market to deliver best-in-class advice on large-scale projects, coupled with full access to the building warranty provider market. That offering being led by Daisy, who has been on the frontline with developers for more than five years, is a truly powerful offering.”

Murray Faughnan, architectural technologist for AMA Homes, added: “Having already made enquiries for the warranty on Belford, I was fairly certain our path was set. However, Daisy was confident that she could make a positive impact on our search for the right warranty provider, and she delivered on her promise with aplomb.’

Launched by ex-London Belgravia trio Jack Bristow, Johnny Leadsom, and James Mole, J3 has instructed on over 100 units and 14000m2 of residential schemes across Scotland since its launch in November 2021.

25 July 2022
RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building 2022
The five extraordinary buildings competing to be Scotland’s building of the year.
Shortlist for Scotland’s Best Building Award.

21 July 20222
Scottish Education Campus is Stirling Prize Shortlisted
The six buildings contending for the UK’s most prestigious architecture award are revealed, including the Forth Valley College campus designed by Edinburgh’s Reiach and Hall Architects.

18 July 2022
Salamander Yards Homes Planning Submission
A new residential development at Salamander Yards on behalf of Cruden Homes has moved forward.

A formal planning application by 7N Architects presents plans for 99 apartments alongside two ground-floor commercial units and a new public space bordering the Leith Links masterplan area.

The property development will replace a carpet retail shed and will meet the City of Edinburgh’s requirement for more housing on brownfield sites. The project will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bed homes, with 35% of the units being affordable and 51 out of 99 having dual aspects.

The designs also anticipate CEC’s ‘Leith Connections’ programme of streetscape improvements which will see a protected cycle route being created between Salamander Street and Lindsay Road. The industrial Ropeworks district is developing quickly as a residential area.

15 July 2022
Two Scottish winners for the UK’s best new homes
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the longlist for the 2022 RIBA House of the Year. The shortlist and winner are to be revealed on Channel 4’s Grand Designs: House of the Year.
– Ostro Passivhaus, Kippen, design by Paper Igloo
– The Den, Tighnabruaich, by Technique Architecture and Design in collaboration with Stallan-Brand

10 July 2022
New application prepared for Edinburgh Filmhouse
An amended planning application for the £60 million Filmhouse project in Edinburgh’s Festival Square is expected to be lodged next month.

9 July 2022
Open call: Scotland + Venice 2023

The Scotland + Venice partners are seeking proposals for a team to develop and deliver a major exhibition to represent Scotland at the 18th international architecture exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia in 2023.

Scotland + Venice is looking for projects which will make the strongest impact within this internationally significant context and explore how good architecture and the built environment can be more available to, and inclusive for, everyone creating places that are healthy, sustainable, and thriving.

Proposals should provide a strong and compelling response to the overall themes set out by curator Lesley Lokko under her title: The Laboratory of the Future.

More information on the project and how to submit are available at https://bit.ly/3yKbaAo

The submission deadline is noon 15 August 2022.

Scotland + Venice is a partnership which comprises, Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland, National Galleries Scotland, Architectures and Design Scotland, V&A Dundee and the Scottish Government.

8 July 2022
Stead’s Place Building Construction News
Stead’s Place Leith Walk Construction

8 July 2022
Red Sandstone Building on Leith Walk

Drum Property Group is seeking occupants for high quality office space in the refurbished 1930s ‘Red Sandstone’ building which extends from 106 to 154 Leith Walk, Edinburgh:
Red Sandstone Building on Leith Walk

2 July 2022
Scottish Design Awards Winners News
Anderson Bell + Christie won the Architecture Grand Prix for Fielden Street, praised by judges for its attention to detail. The Design Grand Prix meanwhile was awarded to BRC Imagination Arts for the Johnnie Walker Visitor Centre, heralded as a ‘celebration moment’ on a street which has long needed some good news.

23 June 2022
RIBA Awards 2022 Winning Buildings and Architects
Scotland has three one of the 29 winners of the 2022 RIBA National Awards for architecture:

• Forth Valley College – Falkirk Campus by Reiach and Hall Architects (Scotland)
• High Sunderland by Loader Monteith (Scotland)
• Quarry Studios by Moxon Architects (Scotland)

14 June 2022
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Opens

photo : Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site at 1, India Buildings, Victoria St. Designed by Ica, the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA has recently opened in the oldest part of Scotland’s capital:
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Victoria Street

14 June 2022
Home Builders Welcome Increase In Housing Completions
Latest statistics showing a 26 per cent increase in the total number of new homes completed in the year to end September 2021 compared to the previous 12 months have been welcomed as a step in the right direction by sector body Homes for Scotland.

13 June 2022
Outlander Castle reopens to the public

One of Scotland’s most iconic heritage attractions and star of hit TV series Outlander, Doune Castle, has reopened to the public.
Access restrictions were put in place temporarily at the castle last year as a precaution for essential high level masonry inspections, while Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who manage the attraction, conducted a full survey of the site.

photo courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (HES)

The iconic visitor attraction which features in Outlander as Castle Leoch, has been reopened with a special access corridor put in place, with visitors once again able to enjoy the interior of the castle, including the courtyard, basement, and many of the smaller chambers. Some minor access restrictions will however remain in place, for ongoing conservation work.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore the castle grounds, including the new pedestrian bridge over the Ardoch Burn, which was recently opened following a partnership between HES, VisitScotland, Stirling Council, and local community groups to connect the castle with other nearby natural and heritage visitor attractions such as the River Teith, Doune Ponds, the Mill of Doune and the village itself.

Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said;
“We are delighted to be able to reopen the interior of the castle once more after access restrictions were put in place for essential high masonry work.

“We know how keen visitors are to enjoy the castle, which is an iconic site and has featured in a wealth of productions, including most recently in Outlander.

“The castle and the surrounding village are a hugely popular destination, and we look forward to welcoming visitors back through the castle doors so they can enjoy this much-loved heritage attraction once again.”

Tickets for Doune Castle are available to book from the History Awaits page on the HES website and advanced booking is recommended to guarantee entry.

9 June 2022
Hydro Ness
Hydro Ness Inverness Building unviled on the e-architect website.

7 June 2022
Usher building topping out celebration
Construction of a world-class research and teaching facility at Edinburgh BioQuarter has reached its highest point:
Usher Building Edinburgh Bioquarter. We hope to feature completion photos soon on the Edinburgh Building News 2022 page.

6 June 2022
RIAS Award Winners
Eight exceptional buildings are unveiled as the winners of Scotland’s national architecture awards.

3 June 2022
Royal Scottish Academy Medal for Architecture Winners
Master of Architecture alumna Claire Milnes has won the RSA Medal in recognition of her outstanding Masters’ social housing project in Kirkwall, Orkney – Scott Sutherland School of Architecture News.

Edinburgh Building News 2022 – Spring

26 May 2022
Collaboration Key To Delivering The New Homes Scotland Needs
The importance of ongoing collaboration between Scotland’s home building sector and the Scottish Government was the focus of attention at the Homes for Scotland (HFS) Annual Lunch & Awards last Friday (20 May).

23 May 2022
Homes For Scotland 2022 Awards Winners
The event, which was attended by some 1,000 senior industry representatives and their guests, saw Cruden Homes take the award in the large home builder category, with Whiteburn Projects being celebrated as top SME and CCG (Scotland) crowned Home Builder of the Year (Affordable Housing Provider).

20 May 2022
The Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre
The Great Tapestry of Scotland Gallery building design by Page Park architects is in Galashiels at the heart of the Scottish Borders. This new building was designed to house a unique visual history of the nation crafted by the hands of a thousand stitchers.

18 May 2022
Health and Wellbeing Centre, Bristo Square
For the first time, the University of Edinburgh’s new Health and Wellbeing Centre brings together the institution’s previously disconnected Counselling and Disability services, Pharmacy and Health Centre, in a now fully accessible facility. Dedicated to the prevention and treatment of mental and physical health issues, both clinically and holistically, the Centre has become a beacon for the promotion student and staff well-being:
University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre by PagePark Architects on e-architect

17 May 2022
Holmes Miller Promotions
Holmes Miller has strengthened its senior team as it continues to grow with the promotion of seven staff across its Glasgow and London offices. Matt Heaney has been promoted to Project Director in recognition of his contribution to the growth of the residential sector with a particular focus on Later Living opportunities across the UK and Ireland.

16 May 2022
Homes For Scotland Announces New Chief Executive

Critical time as £3.4bn home building sector faces significant change and challenge.

Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has announced Jane Wood as its new Chief Executive with effect from Wednesday 1 June.

Jane joins HFS from BT where she was Group UK Nations and Regions Director and a member of the BT Scotland Board, responsible for managing relationships with public bodies, politicians and other key stakeholders on strategic business areas including climate change, skills, SMEs, infrastructure and public policy affairs.

photograph : Chris Watt – www.chriswatt.com

In the 12 years prior to this, Jane was CEO in Scotland and then UK Executive Director for the membership organisation Business in the Community, which helps members improve their responsible business practices.

Having also been Head of Corporate Affairs for Scotland and Northern Ireland for the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Jane has championed inclusive growth and worked to create policies and business relationships which deliver both economic and sustainable outcomes throughout her career. She has extensive experience working across complex regulatory issues and within central, devolved and local governments.

HFS Chair Ken Gillespie said:

“I am delighted Jane has agreed to join us as Chief Executive. Jane’s track record as an established and experienced leader will drive forward our solutions-focused, evidence-based approach to realising our strategic aim of delivering more homes across Scotland.

“With a shortfall in housing completions now approaching 100,000 homes since 2008, we still aren’t building enough to meet the needs of our population and we must prioritise practical solutions to the barriers that are preventing this.”

In a seamless transition, Jane succeeds Nicola Barclay (who is stepping down after six years in the role) as Chief Executive. She joins HFS at a critical time for the home building sector, which contributes over £3bn annually to the Scottish economy. As well as ongoing planning reform and changes to building standards as part of the transition to net zero, builders are also having to contend with significant material constraints and labour shortages – with the considerable cost pressures that result.

photo : Chris Watt – www.chriswatt.com

Jane said:

“It will be a privilege to lead a highly respected organisation representing such a key sector in Scotland. Not only does the housing sector have a crucial economic role to play, it also brings vital broader benefits to Scotland’s social wellbeing, such as improved health and education outcomes, through the delivery of high quality and sustainable homes for all.

“I am looking forward to working with the team and members to address the many challenges and changes facing those who deliver the new homes of all tenures that the people of Scotland need.”

12 May 2022
Sales & Marketing Suite Launched at Rowanbank Gardens, Corstorphine, Edinburgh
Savvy home buyers can now see for themselves the progress being made on one of Scotland’s most anticipated new residential developments following the launch of the on-site sales and marketing suite at Artisan Real Estate’s Rowanbank Gardens, in Corstorphine, Edinburgh:
Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing

12 May 2022
Cumbernauld Town Centre Views Welcomed
HES is seeking views from the public on whether or not they think the building is of special architectural or historic interest, as well as any further information which will enhance understanding of the building’s significance, as part of the wider process:
Cumbernauld Town Centre public consultation on the e-architect site.

10 May 2022
BAM appointed to St James Quarter’s W Edinburgh

Nuveen Real Estate has appointed BAM Construction Scotland to deliver the interiors of W Edinburgh – the centrepiece of St James Quarter, the £1bn retail-led lifestyle district in Edinburgh. BAM will be the contractor fitting the 244 stylish guest rooms and public areas across the three buildings that make up the hotel:
W Edinburgh Hotel at St James Quarter

10 May 2022
Finalists prepare for the Scottish Design Awards 2022
A hectic 48-hour judging programme has drawn to a close, a process which has delivered the final shortlist for the Scottish Design Awards 2022, from which all this year’s winners will be named.

10 May 2022
The Den, Tighnabruaich
Jamie Ross, Founder of Technique Architecture and Design was the project architect, and the project was undertaken in collaboration with Paul Stallan and Stallan-Brand Architects.

6 May 2022
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture Exhibition
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture Exhibition 2022 unveled on e-architect.

2 May 2022
HES sets out vision for heritage-led green recovery
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has set out its vision for how heritage can be the keystone of Scotland’s green recovery with publication of its Green Recovery Statement for the historic environment:
Historic Environment Scotland Green Recovery Statement.

27 Apr 2022
Built Environment – Smarter Transformation: new direction for innovation centre
Built Environment – Smarter Transformation, formerly Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, has announced a new strategic focus prioritising the built environment’s transition to zero carbon and improving the sector’s contribution to the fight against climate change:
Built Environment – Smarter Transformation News

13 Apr 2022
Clyde Gateway Community Park News
Work starts on transforming a site in Glasgow’s East End into a community park after a £1m investment from Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s most ambitious regeneration project – see our Glasgow Architecture news page for more.

12 April 2022
Homes for Scotland responds to Scottish Conservative announcement on boosting home building levels to 25,000 a year

Responding to Douglas Ross’ announcement that the Scottish Conservatives would increase home building targets to 25,000 new properties each year, Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland, said:

“It is encouraging to see the main opposition parties aligning behind our call to build more homes of all tenures to meet the needs and aspirations of all those living in Scotland. With a shortfall of close to 100,000 homes built since the last recession, building more is the only way to solve Scotland’s housing crisis and benefit from the multiple social and economic benefits that this would bring.

“Delivering more homes on the ground requires real political commitment at a local level and we hope this will be evident following the council elections.”

11 April 2022
£4 million to restore glasshouses at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The two A-Listed Victorian Palm Houses and a modernist range of 1960s glasshouses at the heart of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh are to be restored thanks to a £4 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The grant will fund the re-display of their rare and endangered historic plant collections, create engaging new interpretation and deliver innovative new activities for visitors:
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Glasshouses Restoration

9 Apr 2022
Double Award Accolade For Aitken Turnbull Designed Railway Building Restoration Project

A community trust restoration and refurbishment project that breathed fresh life into a Borders railway station building, is celebrating two key award wins – a Scottish Borders Design Award and a national Network Rail Community Award. The design of the project was created and developed by Galashiels-based Aitken Turnbull Architects.

The project resulted from an intensive local campaign and tireless effort by Stow Community Trust to acquire the lease of the Stow Station House. The building had been earmarked for demolition, as part of the reinstatement of the Waverley Line, however the vision and commitment of Stow Community Trust has seen it saved and redeveloped. The Community Trust had campaigned for years to secure it and raise funds to refurbish it.

This tenacity has now paid off with the Stow Community Trust having picked up two accolades – The Scottish Borders Design Award for Works to an Existing Building, and The Network Rail Community Building Award from the Railway Heritage Awards, where a plaque has now been unveiled and prominently displayed in Stow Station House, highlighting Stow Community Trust for ‘the restoration, refurbishment or other improvement of a station of building either by a community group, or for a community use which connects communities and promotes social inclusion’.

Having secured the building, the Trust’s plan is to now create a community bistro, bar/meeting space and cycle hub/workshop providing a superb new facility and employment for the local community.

Aitken Turnbull Architects were appointed initially to conceptualise and develop the design and then head up the design team to realise the project.

Ben Glennon, lead Architect on the project reveals that a key aspect of the brief stipulated by the trust was to retain and enhance the character of the existing building whilst maintaining the ‘heritage’ element of the structure and blend this with the new extension that would complement this and would house main bistro space.

He comments.,

“The new extension has an exposed structure internally which acknowledges the bygone era of industrial railway building architecture but blends seamlessly with openness, vibrancy, and innovation. The modern design enhances the overall appeal of the building.

The project is a fantastic example of an ability to create a high quality and aesthetically pleasing design on a prominent trackside site and one that retains the history and heritage of the Waverley Line for the benefit of the community for future generations.”

Grace Murray from Stow Community Trust commented.,

“Throughout the development of Stow Station House that resulted in an award-winning development, Stow Community Trust worked closely with colleagues from Aitken Turnbull. The team was responsive and helpful throughout, and we are delighted with the result.”

Aitken Turnbull is also pleased to recognise the efforts of Stow Community Trust, Quantity Surveyors – Thomson Gray, Civil & Structural Engineers – Will Rudd Davidson, local business services company – Waverley M&E and Contractor James Swinton and Sons who all helped deliver the successful outcome of both awards.

6 Apr 2022
Kepdarroch Farmhouse
Drawing reference from the scattered groups of barns, cottages and steadings found throughout the surrounding countryside, this new Scottish house is arranged as a cluster of forms. Gathered casually together, they create a functional courtyard, which claims a clear and defined arrival space within the otherwise open landscape.

4 Apr 2022
Laidlaw Music Centre Building News
Designed by award-winning architects Flanagan Lawrence, the £12.5m Laidlaw Music Centre, open to staff, students and the local community, will become an integral part of the St Andrews cultural quarter, attracting world-class performers and recitalists from around the globe.

1 Apr 2022
New Holmes Miller Equity Director
Ryan Holmes’ promotion to Equity Director follows a 20-year journey at the company, where he has championed new sustainability practices and the early adoption of digital technology.

31 Mar 2022
Residents and artists breathe new life into Edinburgh’s historic closes
Pirrie’s Close:

photo © Tom Duffin
Edinburgh World Heritage completes the first batch of its Twelve Closes Project:
Edinburgh World Heritage Twelve Closes Project

31 Mar 2022
Rowanbank Gardens Nominated for National Climate Crisis Award

Artisan Real Estate’s wholesale commitment to sustainable residential development across the UK has been recognised with its Edinburgh-based Rowanbank Gardens development being nominated for a prestigious national accolade geared to tackling climate crisis:
Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing

31 Mar 2022
Key Planning Document Risks Making Housing Crisis Worse
Home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has said that a key Scottish Government document outlining the approach to planning and development to 2045 risks making the country’s housing deficit even worse.
In its submission to the consultation on National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), HFS highlighted that the document, as drafted, “will likely reduce the number of homes delivered, thereby exacerbating the housing crisis”:
see Glasgow Building News 2022

30 March 2022
Will Rudd Davidson appointed for homes projects in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council has appointed Will Rudd Davidson as consultant civil and structural engineers to oversee two housing projects in the capital and a survey of the condition of high rise homes in the city:
Will Rudd Davidson Edinburgh Homes

30 March 2022
Fairways Homes at St Andrews Old Course
Fresh plans by Edinburgh’s Sutherland Hussey Harris architects to build luxury homes overlooking the Old Course have been revealed, just months after a previous proposal was rejected.

29 Mar 2022
Concern over drops in Affordable Housing Delivery as Scotland Faces 100,000 Homes Shortfall
Trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has expressed its concern at latest Scottish Government housing statistics which show marked drops in housing association completions and approvals – see the e-architect Scottish Architecure News page.

28 Mar 2022
Rosslyn Chapel Papers

photo © Neil Hanna
A newly acquired collection relating to Rosslyn Chapel helps to shed light on the remarkable architecture and restoration of one of Scotland’s most outstanding buildings:
Rosslyn Chapel

23 Mar 2022
Homes For Scotland 2022 Awards Shortlist
Home building body Homes for Scotland announces the shortlist for its 2022 awards programme as it plans for a return to the largest annual gathering of its kind where winners will be announced.

22 March 2022
Neil Gillespie – Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy has announced its 2022 intake of Fellows, with 80 names from the arts, business, public service and civil society as well as academia from Scotland and beyond – report Reiach and Hall Architects. They will be joining the RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows, who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today.

Professor Neil Gillespie OBE RSA, director at Reiach and Hall Architects, has been named as a Fellow of the RSE, joining the company of such remarkable people. This year’s cohort represents the diversity of expertise within Scotland and the UK, with academics, leaders from business, Scotland’s tech sector, the legal sector and arts and culture industries being inducted to the Fellowship. Congratulations Neil!

22 March 2022
HFM’s agenda-setting Replanet initiatives attracts proven expert

photo © Julie Broadfoot
A Progressive firm of architects has appointed a renowned sustainability specialist as part of its drive to help commercial clients adapt to stringent new environmental standards:
Halliday Fraser Munro Replanet News

The Burrell Collection Restoration AHSS lecture
Thursday 24 March
AHSS Strathclyde
Venue: Online & in person at the Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP

The Impact of Enslavement on Scotland’s Built Environment AHSS lecture
Monday 11 April
Venue: Online & in person at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL

See the Edinburgh Architecture Events page for details

15 Mar 2022
New funding enables expansion of green construction skills initiative

Fully funded training for up to 500 Scottish construction professionals provided by CSIC

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is to expand its successful Low Carbon Learning programme with the launch of a second free-to-attend programme focused on the fabric and structure of sustainable buildings.

Supported by Skills Development Scotland, through more than £175,000 from the National Transition Training Fund, CSIC is offering valuable training for people in the construction sector looking to upskill and reskill, supporting a Scotland-wide transition towards a zero-carbon built environment.

Up to 500 places are available for Low Carbon Learning: Fabric and Structure, which launches with an online webinar on 29th March and will run until July. The course covers four core areas critical to the future of the sector.

A fabric-first module will focus on design decisions that can help to reduce energy consumption, while a carbon accounting module will highlight the need for environmental data to be calculated for each project. The role of sustainable insulation materials, including homegrown alternatives, and mass timber solutions will also form a core part of the course.

Training includes both online learning and live demonstrations at CSIC’s Innovation Factory in Hamilton – home to the UK’s only commercial-scale vacuum press for manufacturing cross-laminated and glue-laminated timber components, and a Pilot Insulation Line for trialling new insulation materials.

The launch of the programme follows the success of the first tranche of Low Carbon Learning which was Scotland’s first publicly funded training programme in Passivhaus and EnerPHit, the globally recognised approaches for the design, construction and retrofit of highly energy-efficient buildings.

Caitriona Jordan, head of retrofit programmes at CSIC, said: “Reskilling and upskilling will be a core element of the construction sector’s transition to zero carbon, and we want to help provide the knowledge and experience workers need to help deliver the wide range of new projects and energy-efficient retrofits required.

“This new course focuses on the fabric and structure of buildings, including important training on carbon accounting that, although complex, is only going to become more relevant, as well as highlighting alternative homegrown construction materials. Increased green skills across the sector will help to ensure we have a future-proofed workforce that is well-equipped to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment.”

Elaine Ellis, Skills Planning Manager – Construction at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The construction sector will play a critical role as we transition to become a net-zero economy. This programme will provide practical tools and knowledge to help the construction sector to upskill and adapt their practices to meet the needs of net-zero. We look forward to working with CSIC as this programme is developed and delivered.”

For more information and to join the launch event, please visit: https://www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/future-skills/low-carbon-learning/fabric-and-structure/

About Construction Scotland Innovation Centre

CSIC is Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment and one of Scotland’s seven innovation centres supported by Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council and Scotland’s Enterprise Agencies. CSIC’s mission is to accelerate the built environment’s transition to zero carbon, and does this through a range of innovation, R&D, knowledge exchange and service design initiatives.

Collaboration partners gain access to CSIC’s innovation ecosystem as well as a range of flexible tools and support services including an extensive network of academic experts and the Innovation Factory; the UK’s first dedicated digital manufacturing, prototyping and future skills centre of excellence. CSIC delivers impact across four interlinked programme areas; Digital Transformation, Modern Methods of Construction, Sustainability and Retrofit, and is supercharging change that will help achieve its vision of a better built environment that delivers inclusive and sustainable economic, social and environmental impact for Scotland and the planet.

9 Mar 2022
RIAS Awards Winners
The shortlisted buildings for the 2022 RIAS Awards are spread widely across the country and include new school and college buildings in Cumnock, Falkirk and Jedburgh, the restoration of an iconic Modernist house in Galashields, a community centre in Fife and pioneering low energy homes.

9 Mar 2022
Updated Plans For Luxury The Angus Resort Given Go-ahead
New designs by 3DReid Architects, Edinburgh, approved for £100m golf resort, hotel and spa which will create hundreds of jobs for Angus and Dundee.

Construction on a £100m world-class golf resort, hotel and spa in the Angus countryside will get underway this summer after councillors approved an updated masterplan for the once-in-a-generation luxury destination.

Edinburgh Building News 2022 – Winter

15 Feb 2022
Scotland starts the year as most searched for new home location

• Whathouse.com analysis of buyer searches in January 2022 reveals Scotland started the year as Britain’s fastest climbing new home search location, jumping by 42% across all property types and tenures.
• Searches surged six-fold in the retirement category as 50+ home hunters actioned pent up plans to change lifestyle or move to be nearer children or grandchildren.
• Across Scotland first time buyer search for Help to Buy properties doubled in the first month of 2022.

New data from whathouse.com, a UK-based new home audience platform, can reveal that January was the busiest month on record for Scottish new home hunter activity, as first time buyers, forever home hunters and 50+ prospective buyers start 2022 with a strong desire to improve lifestyle, increase available space and lower energy consumption and running costs.

Daniel Hill, Managing Director, whathouse.com comments:

“2021 was an incomparable year for Scottish house builders in every sense, with the impact of COVID-19, shortage of materials and labour and unprecedented demand for new homes from buyers. It is usual for new home hunter activity to ramp up across Scotland in the first month of the year as people turn their attention to actioning plans. The start of 2022 has, however, been exceptional.

We’ve recorded record breaking levels of new home buyer interest across all regions of Scotland signalling that a new group of prospective buyers are considering a move to a new build property. This group is primarily made up of first-time buyers interested in taking advantage of the Help to Buy scheme, and 50+ buyers considering a move to a new retirement property. This group may have held back during the uncertainty of the pandemic but are now resolved to consider a move to a new build property, rather than second-hand, to improve lifestyle, increase available space and lower energy consumption and running costs.

The six-fold surge in retirement searches from 50+ home hunters leaves us in no doubt that retirees across Scotland are now ready to action pent up plans – contemplated during the coronavirus pandemic – to change lifestyle or move to be nearer children or grandchildren.”

The WhatHouse? New Homes Index is based on data sourced from the whathouse.com new homes audience platform. The Index is compiled using a sample representing approx. 400,000 new home buyer searches across England, Scotland and Wales per year and its findings are reflective of whathouse.com user experiences and geographic market share.

10 Feb 2022
Urban Union Renew Historic Building
Urban Union has opened a new free to use community space featuring a gallery and exhibition area at 166 Gorbals Street, a Glasgow landmark and one of the last remaining historic buildings in the Gorbals. Read the news in full on the Glasgow Architecture news page.

1 Feb 2022
Scottish Design Awards
The Scottish Design Awards have been showcasing boundary shaping work, industry best practice and sustainability in all forms for a quarter of a century. Now on the cusp of a new era, we will be celebrating a new generation of design professionals who’ve gone above and beyond in delivering their briefs.

1 Feb 2022
Too Many In Housing Need Not Being Counted

Too many people in housing need in Scotland are not being counted, MSPs have been told (today).

Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee as it scrutinises the draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of trade body Homes for Scotland, said:

“The national dataset on housing need takes a very limited view of what constitutes housing need, with only two very acute forms actually counted: homeless households in temporary accommodation and overcrowded households that include at least one concealed family.

“But there are many groups that are not included. For example, overcrowded households, say a family with two children, a boy and a girl, but only two bedrooms; they are not counted. Neither are single person households such as adults living together in a shared flat or a single adult returning to live with their parents.

“So there is a huge sector of the population that is being overlooked, they are not in the houses they want to be and are unable to live their lives to the full, starting relationships, having families etc because we are not counting them in the first place.”

Whilst draft NPF4 refers to the climate emergency and nature crisis, Barclay highlighted that the document completely disregarded the housing crisis, which she described as being of equal importance and “the third leg of the stool”. She concluded:

“The way NPF4 is drafted at the moment, housing will not be delivered to the people that need it and that is a fundamental concern.”

25 Jan 2022
Glasgow School of Art Fire Inquiry
Fire investigators have failed to find a cause for the fire that destroyed Glasgow School of Art’s world-renowned Mackintosh building in 2018.

24 Jan 2022
University of Glasgow ARC: Advanced Research Centre
The University of Glasgow welcomes the first researchers into its pioneering flagship research facility, the ARC (Advanced Research Centre). The £116 m, 16,000 sqm building will house a collaborative community of academics from across a range of disciplines and will be fully operational from Spring this year:
University of Glasgow ARC: Advanced Research Centre

Comments for this Edinburgh Building News 2022 page are welcome.

Happy New Year to all our readers!
Isabelle and Adrian wish you a Happy New Year.

Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition
RSA Annual Exhibition

Edinburgh Architecture News 2021 – selection below:

Edinburgh City Plan: Capital Homes Shortage
Edinburgh City Plan

First Glimpse of Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine

Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing