CRAMOND KIRK HALL

Location: Cramond, Edinburgh

Client: Cramond Kirk

Programme: Completed 2002

When the congregation of Cramond Kirk decided to mark the Millennium by building an extension to their Church Hall, they were conscious that they were undertaking a highly sensitive building project.

The site is a Scheduled Monument and the current hall, built in 1963, is situated on the front entrance of a 2nd Century Roman Fort. This entailed an archaeological   investigation and a high level of design sensitivity throughout the development process.

The new extension not only adds a new hall but addresses the whole question of the way the building is entered, by providing an extensively glazed entrance area which allows the activity within the building to be seen by approaching visitors. At the centre of this main gathering space is a granite fish carved by the local sculptor Ronald Rae.

This work has resulted in a transformation of a rather severe 1960's building into a modern, welcoming community facility.