Shop/house 2
- Edinburgh

Client
Douglas Robertson
Structural Engineer
DMJ Associates
Contractor
David Francey Joinery
Floor area
180 m2
Completed
2003
Award
Saltire Society Design Award 2003
Photos
John Reiach and Douglas Robertson

The client, Douglas Robertson, a photographer, had been using the existing ground floor shop as a studio/office and large basement area for storage. The brief was to create comfortable and flexible living accommodation for the owner and his daughter while retaining some of the character and spatial qualities of the original shop. The design developed in response to the aspirations and character of the owner, and in response to the need to meet pragmatic requirements such as occasional photographic studio use, the provision of additional private rooms and internal parking space for the client’s motorbike.

The shop context provided an opportunity to work with a generous existing volume and internal structure and finishes intended to be a robust backdrop for display, sale and storage. A new configuration of triple glazed panels the size of the original single sheet shop glazing enhances the south facing situation and maximises light entering into the deep plan interior. Openable panels for cross ventilation are indicated by coloured frames. An opaque layer added to the lower part of the glass screens street activity and cars. Exterior noise is reduced by the high specification glass and further distances the public pavement.

By raising the floor level of the living area there is a more immediate link to and views over Holyrood Park. A new entrance threshold and bridge linking up to living area, along to bedroom and bathroom, down to kitchen/ dining, transforms the rear ground floor and basement area into dynamic living accommodation. Spaces created vary from open plan double height kitchen area to long living/studio to more cellular bed and bathrooms.

As much of the original fittings and fabric as possible have been recycled, including the cast iron structure, pine flooring and timber wall panelling. The basement area has been insulated to current building standards and where new windows have been fitted they have been supplied with triple glazing. Combined with the solar gains from the south facing windows the energy consumption of the property is very low.

In terms of sustainability the project provides a flexible space that can be used in many ways: home, photographic studio, and even as venue for a popular programme of house concerts.

Address

211 Granton Road, 
Edinburgh EH5 1HD

Website - Form by Thought

© ZONE Architects 2017. All rights reserved.
This website and its contents are the copyright of ZONE Architects. 
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute
or commercially exploit the content. You may not transmit it or store
it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.