Coalhill, Leith, Edinburgh, Buredi, Building, Architect, Project, Images, Design, Info

Leith Coalhill Edinburgh Property

Contemporary Dockland Housing for Buredi design by Allan Murray Architects

Coalhill Housing

Date built: 2000-01
Design: Allan Murray Architects

All photographs © Adrian Welch

This Buredi [Burrell Company + EDI] project sits on the wharf side (adj. Raj restaurant) in a prominent position looking down the Water of Leith. The crisp white style is typical of Allan Murray Architects such as their office block for United Distillers + Vintners at Edinburgh Park, but here has more maritime associations: a brave, uncontextual attempt to rejuvenate this area.

The parti consists of oval prow towing a rectilinear block parallel to the quay and perpendicular link over the pend to the Old red sandstone Raj block. The building’s Public faces look modern with a Weissenhofseidlung feel; the courtyard faces contain circular stair towers which in their white rendering look powerfully sculptural.

Atop the prow sits a set back oval penthouse which plays some complex tricks in plan and forms a cap to the large tower. The base of this tower is an as yet unlet retail space and the rectilinear block to the west is to include workshops. The Pend link uses a dark grey to successfully lock onto the different colours and more decorated Victorian block to the south.

Some locals apparently call it the Starship Enterprise, but Professor Charles Mackean has apparently claimed this building represents the rebirth of Scottish architecture.