Edinburgh building news 2023, Lothian architecture images, Scottish architects, Scotland property design

Edinburgh Building News 2023: Architecture

post updated 12 January 2024

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Edinburgh Building News 2024

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2 January 2024
Scottish Architect News

The Glasgow School of Art Fire by Scottish architect Alan Dunlop has been shortlisted in the hand-drawn category of the Sir John Soane Museum GSA Architecture Drawing Prize – see Alan Dunlop

22 December 2023
Artisan Real Estate Purchases Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery

image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate
Regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate has agreed terms with Heineken UK to purchase the 1.9-acre Caledonian Brewery in Shandon. Artisan has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to develop the historic site into a sustainable, low-carbon residential development, with plans to deliver around 170 new homes. A major public consultation programme seeking feedback on the proposals for the site will start in February 2024:
Caledonian Brewery Edinburgh homes

19 December 2023
Builders Express Shock At Level Of Budget Cuts To Housing And Planning

Concern policies acting as a deterrent to investment

With the Scottish Government today announcing a 43 per cent funding cut for planning and a 33 per cent drop in the More Homes budget, Chief Executive of home building sector body Homes for Scotland Jane Wood said:

“We were prepared for a tough budget but, in the context of three local authorities having declared housing emergencies this year, the level of cuts we have seen across both the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and the planning system this afternoon is quite shocking.
“Coming on the back of last week’s statistics showing that the chronic undersupply of housing is intensifying, this not only threatens Scotland’s social wellbeing by perpetuating housing inequality but also its economic success and the transition to net zero.

“As we continue to highlight, private and affordable housing delivery are interconnected. With 30 per cent of affordable housing generated by the private sector, the more homes for sale that can be built, the more affordable homes will be available. Given the planning system is already on its knees, a cut of the magnitude announced today will serve only to increase delay and cost and do nothing to encourage crucial private sector investment.

“Indeed, we have spent a large part of this year flagging concerns to the Scottish Government that its policies are acting as a deterrent to investment. There is clear evidence now on the impact that the increasingly divergent policies are having on the attractiveness of Scotland as a place to invest in, these budget implications do nothing to mitigate that nor to ensure the housing needs of Scotland’s people are met.”

14 December 2023
London Road student accommodation at Jock’s Lodge
Design: Stallan-Brand

property image courtesy of Stallan-Brand architects practice
London Road Edinburgh student accommodation

13 December 2023
Heat Transition in Scotland
Check Glasgow Building News 2023 for the details.

4 December 2023
Edinburgh College of Art Building Refurbishment

image © Hawkins Brown
Edinburgh College of Art Refurbishment

4 December 2023
New Head Of Planning At Homes For Scotland

Home building sector representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has announced the appointment of Kevin Murphy as its new Head of Planning.

With a career spanning more than twenty years, Kevin joins from Persimmon Homes where he was Planning Manager, leading on planning applications, undertaking pre-application discussions and consultations, and making representations on matters of local and national planning policy.

His experience at the coalface of planning for residential development will be welcomed by HFS members who are facing considerable challenges following the transition to the new National Planning Framework 4. A key priority for Kevin will be promoting research which has been commissioned by HFS to help better quantify the level of housing need that exists across the country beyond current narrow measures.

Kevin said:

“The planning system is fundamental to Scotland’s social wellbeing and economic success, ensuring the country has the range and choice of homes that all those who live here require. This must, of course, be balanced with the climate emergency and environment, and I am looking forward to working both with members and other stakeholders to achieve this.”

HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kevin to our team. His background and acute understanding of the issues our members are dealing with on a daily basis enables him to talk with real insight and authenticity – essential skills as we seek to increase understanding of the pressures facing home builders and make the case for better resourcing for our colleagues working in local authorities.”

22 November 2023

Lost opportunity says home building body as Scottish Parliament votes down housing emergency call

Scotland’s people deserve better

With today’s Labour’s motion that Scotland is experiencing a housing emergency defeated by a Scottish Government amendment which instead “recognises significant pressures with homelessness and temporary accommodation”, Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“In the context of our capital city having recently followed Argyll & Bute in declaring a housing emergency and a shortfall of +114,000 new homes having accumulated across Scotland since 2008, it has never been more important to consider how we meet the country’s housing needs.

“We must stop going round in circles and find transformational solutions. Today’s debate underscored the importance of this and there were many passionate points made, but the agreed amendment is, to say the least, underwhelming. Given the scale of the problem facing our rural and urban communities, it’s a missed opportunity. Scotland’s people deserve better.”

10 November 2023
Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School outdoor space design competition, Clackmannanshire, central Scotland

property image courtesy of J M Architects, Scotland
Wellbeing Hub Design Competition, Lochies School

2 November 2023
Home builders respond to Edinburgh’s housing emergency declaration

Reflects unfortunate reality across Scotland.

Homes for Scotland (HFS), the representative body for those organisations building the majority of the country’s new homes, including Affordable Housing, has responded to this morning’s declaration of a housing emergency by City of Edinburgh Council.

Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“This is a dreadful position for our capital city to be in but unfortunately it reflects much of the reality across the whole of Scotland.

“Ensuring we have enough homes that people can afford and that meet the housing needs and aspirations of all those who live in, or want to live in, Scotland is fundamental to the social wellbeing of our population and our economic success.

“Whilst we welcome the attention being drawn to the housing crisis by the convener of Edinburgh’s Housing Committee, the Council must look at the consequences of the emerging City Plan 2030, which seeks to deliver fewer affordable homes than the Council itself identifies are required.

“This works against the aim of delivering more homes and will actually result in the inequality and affordability issues that are already so prevalent being further exacerbated.”

Wood highlighted the setting of a housing supply target that does not seek to meet all of the housing need and demand that the Council itself has evidenced; the brownfield-centric approach to the allocation of new sites for residential development, when a blended approach has historically proved vital to delivering enough homes; and the unviable and unavailable nature of many of the identified brownfield sites, many of which will be impossible to deliver due to other Plan policies.

She added:

“Our concerns are further heightened by the significant reduction in Edinburgh’s Minimum All Tenure Housing Land Requirement numbers published as part of the revised draft National Planning Framework 4 and which have fallen from 41,300 to 36,750.

“Independent analysis has already evidenced that the Plan is likely to significantly underdeliver the amount of homes required, with further research showing that it would result in the displacement of c400 businesses which would translate into the loss of 3,600 jobs with a cumulative loss to Edinburgh’s economy over ten years of c£2.6bn.

“We see from today’s motion that the Council notes the importance of collaborative working and hope that this involves those delivering the homes of all tenures that are required and recognises the interdependencies between private for sale and Affordable housing.

“We must stop going round in circles on the housing crisis and find transformational solutions to effectively resolve it. We and our members are committed to achieving this in partnership with local and central government.”

19 October 2023
Trinity Academy building design:
Design: Holmes Miller Architects

school building image courtesy of Holmes Miller
Trinity Academy Edinburgh secondary school building

14 October 2023
Poynder Apartments, Kelso, Peeblesshire, Scottish Borders, Southern Scotland
Design: Aitken Turnbull

apartments photo : Rob Gray Photography
Poynder Apartments Kelso, Scottish Borders

13 Oct 2023
Princes Street 347-bed hotel in Edinburgh

building photo courtesy of Blackfinch Property
Princes Street Hotel Edinburgh City Centre

13 October 2023
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Palm Houses Restoration News
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Palm Houses Restoration

13 October 2023
Design Manager Job News
Edinburgh Architect Jobs

5 October 2023
First Scottish Passivhaus primary school to use CLT structure

photo © Chris Humphreys
Sciennes Primary School Edinburgh building extension

29 September 2023
New Scottish galleries at the National, central Edinburgh

photo : dapple photography
New Scottish galleries at the National, Edinburgh on e-architect

29 September 2023
Scottish Modernism Talks
The Scottish Historic Building Trust launch theirr Autum lectures with ‘Concrete Conservations: The Conservation of Scottish Modernism”:
Edinburgh Architecture Events

27 Sep 2023
Fife College’s new campus to use carbon-reducing hybrid materials
Fife Architecture

16 Sep 2023
Show Home Success at Rowanbank Gardens

image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate
Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Homes

2023 Metzstein Architecture Discourse, Edinburgh
Xaveer De Geyter is to present the 2023 Metzstein Architecture Discourse:
Edinburgh Architecture Events

8 August 2023
New Images Unveiled of ‘Spectacular’ Green Neighbourhood Proposed for Edinburgh City Centre

image courtesy of the developers
525 Park View, Ferry Road homes

8 August 2023
The Red Sandstone Building
Red Sandstone Building

27 July 2023
Destination Hillend
Design: Smith Scott Mullan Associates
Destination Hillend, Pentland Hills

26 July 2023

Home builders call out critical need for planning system improvement as shocking new statistics reveal 46% drop in number of applications for major housing developments

New planning application statistics have been described as “shocking” by sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS). The figures, published today, reveal a staggering 46 per cent drop in the volume of applications for major housing developments for 2022/23 compared to 2019/20. Despite this significant drop in the volume of applications, average decision times remain above pre-Covid levels at 39.3 weeks, nearly two and a half times the 16-week statutory timeframe for such applications.

The number of local housing development applications has also fallen by 12 per cent whilst processing times have risen nearly 40 per cent compared to 2019/20 and now stand at 17.2 weeks (more than double the eight-week statutory timeframe). This has particular impact on SME home builders and rural housing.

HFS Director of Planning Liz Hamilton said:
“In the context of Scotland’s housing crisis and the shortfall of 114,000 new homes that has accumulated since 2008, these shocking figures illustrate how much worse the situation is becoming.

“Scotland simply cannot afford, either socially or economically, to let this continue but issues with the new National Planning Framework 4 point to such an outcome.

“The Scottish Government must get Scotland’s planning system sorted if we are to ensure this and future generations are able to access safe and sustainable homes that meet their needs and they can afford.

“This requires significant investment in and resourcing of planning services. We also need a system that balances the housing crisis equally with those of climate and nature. We want to continue to work with Ministers and officials to achieve this, particularly in relation to filling any data gaps that exist so that policy decision-making is pragmatic and evidence-based.”

4 July 2023
New Show Home Opens at Rowanbank Gardens
Rowanbank Gardens Show Home

27 June 2023
Concern as decline in Scotland’s new homes starts continues
Latest Scottish Government housing statistics (released today) highlight major concern for the continuing fall in the number of new homes started across all sectors, which now stands at 25% below those started in the pre-pandemic year to end March 2020.

15 June 2023
Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure development, Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross
Design: Holmes Miller, Architects
Blairgowrie Recreation Centre building news

15 June 2023
Construction industry getting set for transformation

Industry leaders from across Scotland’s public and private sectors have been appointed as co-chairs to develop ten core construction areas where transformation across the sector is needed most.

Their appointment follows the publication last year of the Scottish Construction Accord by the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), which is aimed at creating more successful businesses, enhancing working conditions for employees, improving the quality of construction and becoming a net zero industry.
Central to reaching that goal are ten priority work areas where the co-chairs will now take responsibility to bring together industry and government experts to develop and drive forward a transformation action-plan.

That plan will cover areas such as improving the capacity, capability and diversity of the workforce, reforming construction procurement practices, increasing the use of digital technology across SME’s and optimising Scotland’s place in the modern methods of construction’s emerging market.
Once developed, the plan will be published on CLF’s website with the programme project-managed by Scottish Futures Trust.

The CLF’s Transformation Board of newly appointed co-chairs will meet regularly to realise collaborative ambition across the priority actions. The organisations they are from and the priority work areas they will focus on, are listed below:

Co-chair Organisation Priority Work Areas

Graham Porteous Scottish Government Procurement/supply chain management
Stuart Parker Morgan Sindall Procurement/supply chain management
Paul Dodd Scottish Futures Trust Pipeline
John Gunn Balfour Beatty Pipeline
Lewis Hedge Scottish Government Fair work
Fiona Harper SELECT Fair work
Colin Proctor Scottish Futures Trust Quality
Iain Kent Morgan Sindall Quality
Lynsey Brydson BE-ST Digital
John McKinney Build UK Digital
Stephen Good BE-ST Net Zero
Stewart MacLeod Faithful & Gould Net Zero
Gordon Nelson Federation of Master Builders Net Zero
David Littlejohn Perth & Kinross Council Supply chain development
John Brown Veitchi Flooring Supply chain development
Elaine Ellis Skills Development Scotland Workforce – skills
Emma Dickson Arcadis Workforce – skills
Stephanie Lowe Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) Workforce – skills
Ryan Cossar Scottish Futures Trust Modern Methods of Construction
Alex Goodfellow Donaldsons Modern Methods of Construction
Douglas Morrison BE-ST Data
John McKinney Build UK Data
Morag Angus Scottish Government Board Co-Chair
Peter Reekie Scottish Futures Trust Board Co-Chair

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, & Chair of CLF Richard Lochhead said: “Construction is an extremely important part of the Scottish economy. That is why we are engaging with industry through the Construction Leadership Forum and have formed a first-class team to allow the sector to thrive and contribute towards a wellbeing economy that is fair and prosperous for all.

“By working alongside public and private sector colleagues to codesign a Transformation Plan that will support the construction sector, the Scottish Government is listening to the challenges and looking to maximise future growth, as we strive towards the aims of our National Strategy for Economic Transformation.”

Peter Reekie, chief executive of public sector infrastructure specialists, the Scottish Futures Trust, and co-chair of the Transformation Board, said: “These appointments are pivotal to driving the collaborative approach that will deliver the transformation commitments for the industry.

“We recognise that change is needed and we can only deliver it by working together. We need to bring in new and diverse talent and ensure the whole workforce has the competencies to support the future of the industry and we need to build and maintain assets in different ways using different materials to deliver a net zero, carbon-built environment.”

Morag Angus, chief surveyor at Scottish Government and the Transformation Action-Plan Board co-chair, said: “Working inclusively with the best in the sector, using key knowledge and experience we will identity the optimum ways to achieve a thriving and sustainable construction sector in Scotland. The Scottish Construction Accord and this joint approach to continuous improvement is the first of its kind in the UK and we are excited by the potential.”

For more information visit www.constructionforum.scot

13 June 2023
JRA Chosen To Operate On BMA Scotland HQ
New building design by John Robertson Architects (JRA):
British Medical Association HQ Edinburgh

13 June 2023
Archive House building for Historic Environment Scotland
Archive House, Sherwood Industrial Estate, Bonnyrigg

29 May 2023
ONE BioHub Aberdeen, by BDP
The £40 million ONE BioHub is the iconic new location for life sciences in Aberdeen. Inspiring ambition, giving scientists and innovators skills and knowledge to turn research and innovation into businesses, and supporting them on the entrepreneurial journey.

29 May 2023
Homes For Scotland Celebrates Sustainability Wins At Annual Awards

With a focus on social, sustainable and environmental values, the winners of this year’s Homes for Scotland (HFS) awards have been announced.

The event, which was attended by 1,000 senior representatives from across the home building sector and hosted by political satirist and impressionist Rory Bremner, saw three of Scotland’s home builders take home the organisation’s coveted headline Home Builder of the Year awards, with winners in five additional categories focused on an overall “People, Place, Planet” theme also announced on the day.

Winners of the Homes for Scotland Awards 2023 were announced at the organisation’s Annual Lunch on Friday 26 May at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The independent judging panel comprised:

– David Knight (Chair) – Former MD, Avant Homes
– Johnny Cadell, Principal Architect & Designer, A+DS
– Sepideh Hajisoltani, 2023 Chair, Scottish Young Planners’ Network
– Emma Marriott, Director, Emma Marriott Consulting and Board member of Construction Scotland Innovation Centre – Built Environment Smarter Transformation
– Andy Mason, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Housing, Lloyds Banking Group
– Scott Peterkin, Partner, Burness Paull
– Sarah Stanger, Former Sales & Marketing Director, CALA Homes (East)
– Carrie Thomson, Head of Development Planning & Housing, Scottish Government

18 May 2023
City of Edinburgh Council and West Town Edinburgh Ltd Agree Joint Approach for the Sustainable Expansion of Edinburgh
West Town Edinburgh 20-minute neighbourhood

15 May 2023
Edinburgh’s next net zero carbon affordable housing project
Edinburgh Home Demonstrator Project

25 April 2023
Plans submitted for short term let apartments in Edinburgh’s Broughton Market
1 Broughton Market short term let apartments

22 March 2023
Scottish Home Builders News
Home building sector body Homes for Scotland has welcomed the appointment of its Chief Executive Jane Wood to the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 Strategic Board.

2 March 2023
Ica Studio wins Architectural Excellence Award at the 2023 Scottish Property Awards for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Edinburgh, March 2023 – Ica Studio, an architecture and interior design studio regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel architecture and design practices has won the Architectural Excellence Award at the 2023 Scottish Property Awards, for its India Buildings project, now home to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.

“A project like this has a long road to travel from concept to completion, and it involved the talent and dedication of many incredible people. This award is a testament to the power of teamwork, strength of vision and the importance of never giving up!”

Sussanah Macneill, Managing Director, Ica Studio

The Scottish Property Awards is an independent competition which honours the achievements in the real estate sector. The best new public and commercial buildings in Scotland have been revealed at the property industry’s largest awards celebration held in Edinburgh last week in front of 650 guests at the EICC.

At the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first Virgin Hotel outside the USA has recently opened in the oldest part of Scotland’s capital.

In an area of the capital renowned for its varied topography, picturesque medieval streets, closes and wynds and diverse architectural character, Ica Studio’s challenge was to combine the restoration of three distinctly separate ‘at risk’ listed buildings, which occupy dramatically different levels within the local cityscape, with new build elements carefully considered, to re-establish the historic form of the site, whilst also showcasing a bold, contemporary Edinburgh.

The Ica Studio team’s heritage know-how combined with their creative talent and world-leading hospitality expertise led to a design that was able to unlock the viability of this challenging city-centre site.

Ica Studio’s design allows for the three listed buildings to be linked both to each other and to the new build part of the hotel with sympathetic yet modern interventions, creating a new flow through the complex site and deliberately framing unexpected views out into both the more intimate bustling local streets and closes and towards the grander views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town roofscape. The design also provides for dramatic public spaces, rooftop gardens and cosy bedrooms, creating a bold contrast between old and new, light and dark, modern and traditional.

In working with existing buildings, every project has inherent quirks and challenges. However, the key to a successful refurbishment is careful planning, creativity, and lateral thinking. Ica Studio have mastered the art of ‘expecting the unexpected’ and the team is adept at designing a well-executed historic development, combining the existing elements of unique properties with the perks and privileges of a contemporary luxury hotel.

For the team at Ica Studio, which is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, the new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is the outstanding result of many years of specialised experience, a lot of hidden hard work in both design and technical expertise to de-risk and make the project viable, conceptual talent, a love of hospitality and a flair for problem-solving.

About Ica – Hospitality, Architecture & Interiors:
Ica is an architecture and interior design studio creating welcome change around the world. Established in 2003, Ica is regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel architecture and design practices. A team of architects and interior designers collaborate to bring the very best ideas to clients all around the world — from the Caribbean to Clapham.

15 Feb 2023
Scottish Design Awards Jury

The 2023 judging panel for the Scottish Design Awards is now revealed, showcasing a breadth of talent drawn from across the architecture and design professions. The dozen-strong line-up includes figures drawn from the construction and marketing sectors from the agency world to practices, client-side and academia.

9 Feb 2023
Drum Property Group Appoints New Construction Director

Ian Gracie Promoted to Key Position with Award Winning Developer

image courtesy of architects practice

Drum Property Group has announced the promotion of Ian Gracie to the role of Construction Director. Gracie has been with Drum since 2019, leading and coordinating large design and construction teams across the company’s extensive portfolio, and has nearly 20 years’ experience working across the residential, commercial, leisure, retail and public sectors.

He takes over the role of Construction Director from Gordon Milne, who has moved to the newly created role of Technical Director for the Group. Welcoming Gracie’s promotion, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum said: “Since joining Drum, Ian has proven himself a vital member of the team through the management and delivery of key projects during a uniquely challenging period for the industry. Ian’s promotion is a natural next step in his development and very well deserved – his track record and experience working within Drum will bring further depth to our senior management team.

Commenting on Gordon Milne’s new position within the company, Graeme Bone added: “Gordon’s new role also allows us to retain a highly experienced director within the business, providing technical and management oversight across all projects and maintaining consistency of delivery as we transition into our next cycle of development and expand our portfolio throughout the UK.”

Speaking of his promotion, Ian Gracie said: “Drum has always maintained a strong track record of growth and expansion, and I am pleased to now lead the talented delivery team for such an ambitious and dynamic developer. We have some significant projects to both complete, and in the pipeline, and I look forward to working closely with Graeme and the rest of the team at what is an exciting period of opportunity for the firm.”

4 Feb 2023
Edinburgh flagship net zero carbon housing project
Edinburgh Home Demonstrator project

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Edinburgh Building News 2023 – Winter

25 Jan 2023
Planning promotions at Homes for Scotland

Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), whose members deliver the majority of all homes built in Scotland, has announced the promotion of planning team members Liz Hamilton and Richard Lewington.

Liz becomes Director of Planning and Richard Principal Planning Adviser.

Commenting on the promotions, HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“I am delighted to recognise the hugely important contribution Liz and Richard have made since joining HFS in 2021, particularly in relation to the evolution of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and in strengthening our relationships with stakeholders at both local and national levels.

“With 2023 set to be a year of transition as NPF4 is embedded and new style Local Development Plans begin to emerge, Liz and Richard will have vital roles to play in helping our members navigate the new system whilst monitoring its implementation in close dialogue with the Scottish Government and Local Authorities.

“The advantage of their previous development experience means both are acutely aware of, and fully understand, the challenges our members will face as they seek to deliver more of the homes that the people of Scotland need.”

23 Jan 2023
Fire near Jenners
We report on a fire near Edinburgh’s famous Jenners building:
Jenners

19 Jan 2023
Multi-Cultural Family Base Leith Building News
Multi-Cultural Family Base Leith Building

More Edinburgh Building News 2023 is welcome.

Edinburgh Building News 2022

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