Springwell House

Preserving existing historic buildings as part of urban regeneration is a delicate design task that we have broad expertise in, thanks to our knowledge of the residential and conservation sectors. AMA Homes asked us to bring this expertise to their project at the listed Springwell House, which has been converted and extended, with a series of new townhouses built adjacent to create an attractive living environment.
Poor quality additions were demolished, which released site area for new-build elements while retaining the historic building as the centrepiece of the site. Externally the building retains many fine architectural features and significant fabric repairs have been undertaken to bring the building up to current technical standards. The new extensions are contemporary but complement the historic building without adopting a pastiche approach. Internally, the flats make the most of the character of the existing building to form unique living spaces.
Retrofitting the existing building with significant fabric upgrades, photovoltaic panels and centralised ventilation systems has retained the embodied carbon with a reduced carbon footprint for both the development and the building in use. Increasing the density of the site has provided high quality city living with a wide range of homes and easy access to local amenities and public transport to create the opportunity for a long-term sustainable community in the heart of West Edinburgh.
The project plays an important part in the regeneration of western Edinburgh and its new use will protect this piece of architectural heritage for generations to come.