15 members of our team recently took part in the Kiltwalk, each walking 21 miles for the Rock Trust, who are working to end youth homelessness in Scotland.
Last week we caught up with Joanne from the Rock Trust, who presented us with our certificate. Thank you to everyone who donated, we raised an impressive total of £2,672.50!
Our plans for Destination Hillend, a new multi-activity national leisure destination on the Pentland Hills, overlooking Midlothian and Edinburgh, has been granted planning permission.
“We’re hugely excited for this project that is providing a new outdoor activity centre in Midlothian. Getting planning approval for the main building reflects the hard work of the team and marks a significant milestone in the delivery of this project. We look forward to the works progressing in the near future.” – Paul Campbell (Project Manager Midlothian Council)
Further reading:
Scottish Construction Now Article
Watch our video of recent conservation works to Category A Listed Stranraer Museum for Dumfries and Galloway Council and Historic Environment Scotland.
One of the greatest construction challenges during this period has been carefully removing the undulating east elevation string course and re-building it straight and true. The voussoir stones and brick spandrels below the string course will benefit from specialist structural repairs using steel rods, carefully placed with minimal intervention into the stone fabric.
On the south elevation, we have removed non-original brick jambs around the rear escape door and redressed the opening with a new stone lintel, cill and start stones in anticipation of the new steel fire escape stair being installed.
Elsewhere around site, lime render pricking-up, dubbing out & straightening and finishing coats have been applied to the clocktower and east elevation, decoration works are on-going, and the new lead spire roof and refurbished weathervane have been revealed at the top of the clocktower.
We’re really pleased McDonald Road Community Fire Station won a Commendation in the Regeneration and Strategy Category at this year’s Edinburgh Architectural Association Awards.
The judges particularly noted the re-use of the existing frame saving an estimated 150 tCO2e compared to demolition, the community use and the contribution the building makes to the streetscape.
We were chuffed to have 3 projects shortlisted across 4 categories where it was evident that there was such a high standard of design on show. Well done to all of the winners!
Photo Credit: Stuart Gomes
Works on site continue to progress well to deliver the initial two phases of 300 affordable homes with Cruden Group with an anticipated completion of the first homes in Summer 2024.
We are currently delivering 425 affordable homes across 3 phases for Wheatley Homes East, part of Wheatley Group, within the overall 1700 new homes at West Craigs on the western edge of Edinburgh.
Our team have rigorously considered the design details to create great neighbourhoods and buildings that will have a positive impact on their users and the wider community.
– Strong focus on strategic cycle routes.
– Easy connections to tram and rail network.
– All houses are designed to larger-than-usual space standards providing flexibility and options for adaptation.
– 4 of the flatted blocks are designed specifically for older people or those with additional support needs.
– Use of native species, particularly within hedgerows to encourage small bird and insect colonisation.
– Large areas of wildflower seeding to open public spaces to encourage insect life.
We are honoured to have been Highly Commended in the Green Skills Award at the Built Environment – Smarter Transformation Awards Ceremony last night.
A successful night all round with our Senior Architect Claire Cockburn also picking up the Diversity & Inclusion Award with her colleagues in the fabulous Women in Property team.
Well done to all of the winners and those shortlisted, the buzz in the air last night was full of support for each others hard work and commitment to accelerate the zero-carbon built environment.
Great news that the Longniddry Village development has won ‘Development of the Year’ at the Herald Property Awards 2023!
We are proud to have been a part of delivering this special community focused masterplan, designing homes that provide affordable independent living for older people at Site A in Longniddry South Phase 1.
Crafted in the East Lothian Garden City architectural style, the development has been a huge success with the local community, so we can see why this one is a winner! Well done to all involved.
This week saw the UK Passivhaus Trust Conference 2023 occur on the 16th & 17th of October.
On the 16th we hosted a great site visit showing a 30 strong group around our Passive House social housing projects in action. There was even cake!
While the 17th saw us presenting together with Fiona Clandillon to a 300 strong crowd, where we shared our process of delivering Passive House social housing.
We were excited to be speaking in the company of other Passive House experts and Patrick Harvie discussing the upcoming Scottish Passive House equivalent legislation. We are still processing the wealth of knowledge and experience shared between the speakers and the audience.
Thanks to those who joined us across the two days of the UK Passivhaus Trust Conference 2023.
Congratulations to our Senior Technologist Ruaraidh Marr who has qualified as a Certified Passive House Designer! He plays an important role in our team guiding technical elements of our two Passive House projects onsite towards completion.
Ruaraidh’s achievement brings our sixth Passive House Designer to our team.
We have been shortlisted for the Built Environment – Smarter Transformation ‘Green Skills’ Award!
This recognises our work growing new skills both in our team and externally with friends and industry colleagues through upskilling, hosting talks, events and site visits to do our part to accelerate the zero-carbon built environment.
Well done to everyone shortlisted for this inspiring set of awards making a real difference out there, we are all in this together.