Architect and Director
This project forms part of a large masterplanned development of 1700 new homes, a new primary school, health facilities, retail space and two large new public parks identified in the local development plan as a key new community in west Edinburgh. As the first two phases with which we were involved, Plots 4 and 5 will provide 300 high quality homes as part of the affordable element within the overall masterplan.
Occupying key positions as the gateway to the overall masterplan, the proposals offer a range of house types from two storey houses and cottage flats up to five storey flatted blocks offering expansive views to the Pentland Hills to the south. A particular emphasis is given to housing for older people and those with additional support needs, with two large residents’ community rooms and a small staff base provided.
The proposals respond to the strong urban design and landscape agenda inherent to the masterplan. The taller brick and dark cladding-finished flatted blocks define Turnhouse Road as an attractive urban boulevard and overlook two large new public parks, while the lower-density render-finished houses and cottage flats address attractively landscaped pedestrian routes.
Homes are all designed to generous space standards, and use high levels of insulation and air-tightness along with roof-mounted PV panels to reduce energy usage. Houses all have private gardens, while many flats have large sheltered balconies.
