Architect and Director
Granton energy centre forms a key strategic element of a large master-planned redevelopment in north Edinburgh. Occupying a key location in the heart of a new residential district, the energy centre building and associated primary substation not only provide heat and power to an initial phase of 850 new homes and 2500m2 of retail space, but also play a key role in the urban design and streetscaping of the entire neighbourhood.
The building is in a key location adjacent to the future tram line, an existing strategic cycle/pedestrian route and a proposed neighbourhood mobility hub. The energy centre is the key component of a new district heat network for the area, providing heating and hot water from renewable and low carbon sources. Utilising sewer-source heat recovery from a large diameter combined sewer running below the site determined the location of the building within the masterplan, and meant that the architectural approach to the building plays a significant role in the overall urban design solution. Two 20m high thermal store tanks are a key visual component of the overall design, as are the two primary transformers, switch room housing and secondary transformers within the attached primary substation.
Massing, building heights, maintenance access and in particular acoustic mitigation to neighbouring homes all created significant technical design challenges which we have resolved alongside consolidation of the disparate elements into a considered architectural and urban design solution. A basecourse of facing brick articulates the ground floor area of the building, but also continues to wrap around the entire site perimeter and form a single compound enclosing the primary substation and service yard areas. Above this, a much lighter copper-coloured metal cladding system finishes the upper portion of the building, extending to form a parapet above allowing for installation of future roof-mounted plant. Folded patterns in the metal, along with areas of patterned perforation, create a visually expressive finish that varies along the elevation, while integrated lighting ensures that the building continues to contribute to the streetscape at night.
