WATERFRONT CHARRETTE

Location: Leith, Edinburgh

Client: Waterfront Co-ordination Group

Programme: Completed 2007

Edinburgh’s new waterfront is one of Europe’s major regeneration projects and consists of a series of new developments which will define Edinburgh’s image as a place to live, work and invest in, well into the distant future. At present there is no physical public place where investors can find co-ordinated information on this exciting and critical expansion to the city.

The entire waterfront will accommodate a new population of up to 75,000 people. Through discussion with the waterfront co-ordinator SSM created a concept for a small information centre which would act as a catalyst for development and where people could visit, understand and possibly influence the future direction of the proposals.

A number of options, were considered using an existing shop unit, converting a boat and making use of shipping containers. The most striking concept involved the now disused Victoria Bridge in Leith Docks, the epicentre of the development.

We proposed a free-standing linear glass structure sitting within the heavy Victorian engineering of the original bridge. This could contain models, other exhibition material, a small presentation suite and administrative centre. Forming part of a docklands exploration route, it would light up to provide a dramatic centrepiece to this key area of future regeneration.