Edinburgh Apartments completed! /  by Nikki Barton

This new Edinburgh apartment block is a car-free development that regenerates a derelict gap site to unify a suburban street in the Burdiehouse area.

Street context

Construction spanned Covid lockdowns and the four contemporary apartments replace a disused takeaway. All the units achieve Bronze Active Sustainability level and benefit from roof mounted PVs, cycle parking and water harvesting. Throughout the project, City Architecture Office worked closely with the developer to design and deliver this in-demand rental housing.

Entrance

Pentlands Greenbelt Approval /  by Nikki Barton

View looking West

The substantial extension and remodelling of a deteriorated small holding in the Pentland Hills Greenbelt, has been approved by Midlothian Council. City Architecture Office’s design creates an exemplar of low carbon, adaptable family habitation for living & working in a semi-rural environment. It is carefully integrated into its landscape setting, with south facing terraces forming strong connections between indoors and garden living areas. The proposal is befitting of the agricultural setting and evokes vernacular forms in the local area such as a hipped pitch gable and catslide dormer. The pitched roof echoes the existing house form and the wallhead is set to provide coombed two-storey accommodation. It works with the site topography and avoids domineering adjacent buildings.

Contextual elevations

Viewforth, Kirkcaldy: progress /  by Nikki Barton

Groundworks, foundations and floor slabs are now complete and the timber frames will start to arrive, as the houses being delivered by Whiteburn, take shape on site. We hope you like the latest image of this attractive Affordable Housing for Kingdom Housing Association. Completion is due in Autumn 2024.

Viewforth, Kirkcaldy; Affordable homes

Slabs in!

Green light for Garden House /  by Nikki Barton

Street Elevation

City of Edinburgh Council has given the green light for this sensitive new-build contemporary designed house on a challenging gap site within the Craigmillar Park Conservation Area. City Architecture Office director Moray Royles commented: “Our solution will create an enlivened segment in the current urban fabric and generate a sustainable place to live & work, which is beneficial all round.”

Aerial View looking West

In their approval report Edinburgh Council wrote: “The proposed house is of a high-quality contemporary design that would create a juxtaposition between the historical and new. The design concept would contribute towards a sense of place through the interest created by the contrasting architectural themes between it and the neighbouring properties.”

Delicate positioning of the property was required to maximise daylight, maintain privacy and provide amenities while minimising the loss of trees.

Sectional East gable elevaton

Major Borders Housing Development Approved /  by Nikki Barton

Allanbank Affordable Housing, Lauder

We are delighted to be working with Whiteburn Projects at Allanbank, Lauder. Their planning application for a 110 home development including 27 new affordable homes, was unanimously backed by Scottish Borders Council at their early June committee. We look forward to progressing the design of the affordable homes- to create places people will love to live in and proud to have in their community. Councillors described the project as exciting and cited Whiteburn’s Award winning Caelree Mill Housing (on which we also worked) as ‘Exceptional’.

Typical view within Allanbank development

Kirkcaldy affordable homes construction gets underway /  by Nikki Barton

Work on site has commenced on 15 affordable homes for Kingdom Housing Association. CiAO is working with Whiteburn Projects to deliver a turnkey development at Viewforth, Kirkcaldy. These energy efficient homes will enhance availability in the local area with a mix of 2, 3 & 4 bed houses and apartments. Completion is due in Autumn 2024

Viewforth Affordable Housing underway

Edinburgh Apartments construction tops out /  by Nikki Barton

This new build apartment block is replacing a disused takeaway in Burdiehouse, Edinburgh. CiAO secured approval for four apartments- a mix of studios and duplex flats. The infill building, over 3 levels, regenerates this derelict gap site and completes the street. The building is energy efficient with roof mounted PVs and water harvesting. It has ample cycle parking and is car-free. A fire suppressing misting system is installed in each home to meet post-Grenfell fire safety regulations.

Warehouse delivery! /  by Nikki Barton

CiAO’s remodelling of a listed warehouse conversion in Leith is complete. The apartment occupies the entire 2nd floor of an historic 19th C former grain store at Timber Bush. New bathrooms, kitchen and additional bedrooms have been created. Upgraded services are sensitively integrated, expressing a distinctive loft style aesthetic.

Viewforth development progresses /  by Nikki Barton

We are delighted to be working with Whiteburn Projects Team to help deliver in demand affordable housing, as overall development work is underway at Viewforth, Kirkcaldy

Detailed planning and warrant approvals have been secured from Fife Council for the residential development of 15 affordable homes for Kingdom Housing Association alongside a further 72 units, in the grounds of the former Viewforth High School, on Loughborough Road, Kirkcaldy. The affordable homes will be highly energy efficient and breathe new life into the local area.

Viewforth, view south

Approvals secured for Listed Mill Conversion /  by Nikki Barton

CiAO has secured Listed Building Consent & planning approval for the Change of use & sub-division of the top level of a substantial C listed former mill in a Conservation Area. Two duplex loft apartments are proposed to invigorate this former office in the heart of historic Leith. Unoccupied since C19 lockdowns diminished the demand for commercial floor space, the new residential accommodation is arranged to suit home working and compliment retained original features, including the roof trusses and beams.

Caerlee Mill wins Homes for Scotland Award /  by Nikki Barton

Caerlee Mill terraced houses

We are celebrating with Whiteburn property development company for Caerlee Mill Phase 1, which has been awarded Small Development of the Year 2021, by Homes for Scotland.

CiAO is thrilled to be part of the team that has delivered this transformative development in Innerleithen. As Whiteburn’s Managing Director, Eve McCurrich adds:

“We have not only built an award-winning development, we have also created a team of dedicated staff, subcontractors, suppliers and funders. Most importantly, the new home owners have made Caerlee Mill into a wonderful community of neighbours and friends, and I believe this is testament to our design philosophy for the development.”

The development provides a range of two, three and four bedroom houses and cottage flats, which are designed to reflect the spirit of the former mill site, as well as the heritage of the village structure.

Caerlee Mill Housing Awards Shortlisting /  by Nikki Barton

walker-39-40.jpg

City Architecture Office is delighted that Whiteburn Projects development at Caerlee Mill, Innerleithen is a finalist in two categories of the Scottish Home Awards, 2020.

The two bedroom terraced house called 'The Walker', is a Starter Home of the Year finalist. The Show Home at the development is also shortlisted in the Show Home of the Year category.

Our designs include two, three & four bedroom houses and two bed flats.

The Scottish Home Awards 2020 results are due to be announced in June.

Spring 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic /  by Nikki Barton

Hill House, Helensburgh

Hill House, Helensburgh

City Architecture Office is following Government guidance for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.   During these unprecedented times, the CiAO team continues to work from home where possible from Monday 23rd March 2020.   We are supporting our clients, consultants and colleagues.

We are monitoring e-mails and calls and remain available for inquiries.  These will continue to be answered as promptly as possible and messages will be passed on.  Please understand that there will be a few small changes:

All emails sent to the practice will continue to be dealt with; but may be subject to a small delay as our internal contacts will be undertaken remotely.

All telephone calls to the office may resort to message; these will be picked up remotely at regular intervals each day and will be dealt with accordingly.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.   We hope that everyone remains safe and well during these challenging times.

World Heritage Site Listed Building Approval secured /  by Nikki Barton

stair occulus.jpg

At the anniversary of a successful first year for Bertie’s, CiAO is proud to have secured a further Listed Building Approval that supports the continued success of Scotland’s largest Fish and Chips restaurant. The sensitive alterations in Edinburgh’s Old Town will allow cooling plant to be located externally without affecting the character of the B-listed former church and also free up internal back of house space. City of Edinburgh Council commented that “the proposals have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting”.

The approval coincides with Bertie’s Restaurant being shortlisted as The Best Newcomer, in the UK’s National Fish and Chips Awards 2020.

SEASON'S GREETINGS AT THE DECADE'S END! /  by Nikki Barton

2019 Icosahedron xmas card 35mm A4.jpg

Season’s greetings to all our clients & collaborators- with our very best wishes for 2020.

Our original design is a 2020 vision. These decorative tessellated plans may be printed and folded to make striking icosahedron baubles. The colours evoke 20th C modernism & folklore prints, hinting towards a period of great progressive architecture. Enjoy crafting!