Model making is underway as we explore possible elevations and develop early concepts for our East Lothian courtyard project.

These initial proposals include a porch extension to the existing house, creating a threshold space between house and grounds, and separate building to provide accessible guest accommodation. The two zinc clad forms are connected by a covered walkway, enclosing an intimate garden with swimming pool, all orientated to capture the evening sun.

We’re pleased to announce that planning has been granted for our renovation project in Culross, Fife. The proposal is for the extensive refurbishment of an existing 1960’s detached house, set within the environs of the historic Culross Abbey. New cladding materials help to both sustainably improve the external insulation and bed the building into it’s woodland surroundings. A carefully considered extension and internal alterations also combine to help open up much enhanced living spaces to the marvellous views across the Firth of Forth. 

Helen Lucas Architects have recently been awarded planning for three new projects. These include two large garden extensions of villa properties in Edinburgh’s Grange and Merchiston and an extension and renovation of a remote ex-worker’s cottage in the Scottish Borders. All the projects allow the existing properties to connect with their immediate garden surroundings and, in the case of the cottage, the stunning landscape views beyond.

HLA are delighted to have received Planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the renovation and extension of a B-listed Victorian villa in the Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area. Extending into an unused existing void space, the proposal strives to reorganise the villa to adapt to the needs of modern living; a generous kitchen-dining space overlooks the leafy front garden, whilst new decking and openings accentuate the relationship between the house and the redesigned rear garden.

A quadripartite window to the front elevation is composed to match the existing fenestration; the verticality and generous proportions are a contemporary articulation of the original early Victorian facade.

The renovation and extension of this house in Merchiston, Edinburgh is now nearing compeltion. Work has included the formation of new zinc clad extensions to the rear of the house, as well as extensive Lithomex stone repairs, which beautifully match the original building fabric.

HLA were pleased to revisit our project at Woodhall Road, Edinburgh 18 months after practical completion. The garden-room features a postless corner, allowing open views and access to the adjacent garden.

Our project at Hillend is currently up for sale, and is still looking fantastic after 11 years! Please contact the current owners through HLA to receive further information.

After a busy winter on site, HLA are delighted to announce that the Phase 1 of our Kylesku Hotel project is complete, with the hotel bar and restaurant open for business! Thanks to some fantastic weather our latest site meeting was held on the deck, in the warm sunshine.

We were pleased to see our two complementary rear extensions to a villa in the Grange taking shape. The Summer House is clad in pre-patinated copper. The same material is also used to hightlight a slot picture window on the stone extension, which houses a new bathroom and utility. 

A 100m2 extension to a Georgian House in Northern Fife starts to take shape on site.

The dual pitch of the roof allows for a sheltered external area, which takes advantage of the southern exposure whilst providing internal shading during the summer months. 

Stonework is nearing completion at our garden room extension at a C-listed house in Colinton, Edinburgh. With wide, postless-corner glazing, this space will provide fantastic views across the adjacent garden.

The rooflight of an extension to an A listed garden flat in The New Town Conservation Area was installed this week. It provides a fantastic source of light into the new family dining area. 

Charred timber cladding is the proposed finish this Edinburgh Extension which has recently gained planning permission.  The folding sliding doors and timber ingos will be oiled to provide an interesting contrast as can be seen on this visualisation.

We have recently completed a small extension in the Kingsknowe area of Edinburgh.  The extension is finished in a breathable lime render with framed sliding doors and timber clad inlay.

We have recently completed an extension to a house on a corner within the Portobello conservation area.

Grange Loan has been awarded a commendation in the Alterations, Renovation and Extension category of the Saltire Society Housing Awards.

Our recently completed project at Grange Loan has recieved a commendation at the Saltire Awards.

We are delighted that our project at Grange Loan, Edinburgh has been nominated for a Saltire Society Housing Design Award, in the  category for alterations, renovations and extensions.

Winners will announced by the Minister for Housing and Welfare, Margaret Burgess MSP, at the Awards ceremony on Monday 9th September.  The chair of this year's judging panel is the broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.

Edinburgh based Helen Lucas Architects have produced a computer model of a proposal in the London Borough of Richmond. A series of small additions are proposed to a Grade II Listed house.

The priorities are to increase the natural light and flow of spaces in this historic property that was badly bombed during the war. The high quality materials specified can be seen in this computer generated image produced at HLA. Painted brickwork, zinc roofing and large areas of glazing continue the palette and details established by the main house.

Helen Lucas Architects are able to produce computer generated or physical cardboardmodels as a design tool or representation of a proposed scheme for their clients.

Other model photos and renderings can be found by filtering news stories by computer model and model

This top lit oak staircase twists through a void created between the existing gatehouse and new extension at Grange Loan.

The double curved handrail was handmade by a Fife based joiner whom Helen Lucas Architects regularly collaborate with. A blacksmith fitted the mild steel rods and welded a steel ribbon to the the top of them. The oak handrail which curves in two directions was made to match and forms a sweeping curve between the levels. The oak treads have scored nosings for slip resistance and the whole staircase was finished with a hardwax oil to enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

View more images of the completed project to the Grange Loan Gatehouse >

An extension to a lower flatted villa within the Polwarth conservation area is now complete.

The addition provides a new front entrance and hall made from traditional stone. The traditional block to the front intersects with a timber clad building which contains a large living room, study and additional bedroom and cloakroom. The new contemporary living space has a large sliding door which opens across the outside of the building to provide access and views onto the private garden.

The glazing is being installed at Polwarth Terrace a Villa to the west of Edinburgh. This project is being constructed to a very tight timetable and is approaching watertightness after only six weeks on site.

One of the most interesting aspects of the design is this bespoke sliding door which slides across the external face of the cladding to give unimpeded access to the garden.

The extension to the listed gate house is now complete. The timber clad extension with a butterfly roof has doubled the floor space in this efficiently designed extension.

The Clients used local materials where possible inside and out. The western red cedar used to clad the building was sourced from the Knoydart Peninsula from trees toppled during last years storms.

Helen Lucas Architects have gained Planning Permission for a substantial timber clad extension.

The extension has a glass roofed linking corridor to allow more natural light to enter the existing rooms. The design maximises connectivity with the garden and takes advantage of spectacular views across Edinburgh.

The construction of a stoneclad, single storey garden room extension is completed at Moston Terrace, Edinburgh. The garden room extension element of the ground floor extension and refurbishment of this family home is completed.

The stoneclad exterior and timber framed windows sit comfortably with the existing house while maintaining the sleek language of a modern extension.

View more garden rooms >

The extension to a small listed home in Edinburgh is moving at a fast pace After a little over a month on site the form of this contemporary extension is plainly visible. This is a major advantage of using timber frame construction.

Cladding is added to Timber Frame extension. The project is really starting to take shape as the timber cladding starts to be applied to a contemporary timber frame extension to a listed building in East Lothian.

View more projects using timber>

Timber frame extension starts on site at Dick Place, Edinburgh. Progress has been fast in the first few weeks on site with this timber frame extension which will double the footprint of the original gatehouse.

Designed to be as passively energy efficient as possible, this project is an exciting one to watch.

A window with a great view over central Edinburgh is installed at Hartington Gardens.

A sliding, folding window is installed permitting panoramic views across Edinburgh from a modern third floor extension and refurbishment. The window is pushed beyond the building envelope allowing spectacular 180 views over the surrounding rooftop

View the completed project >

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Simple Shepherd's Cottage transformed into generous family home in the Highlands.

A contemporary, light extension to a small original cottage creates comfortable, airy living spaces with spectacular views out to the hills.

A wind turbine is sat distanced from the house and solar panels have installed on the south facing roof. This project was recently completed and featured in this month's Grand Designs Magazine.

View photographs of the completed project >

Before and after pictures of a cottage on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The house has doubled in size but you could quite easily miss the amount of work that has taken place. Following an extensive refurbishment and extension by Helen Lucas Architects an extra storey has been added to the house as well as a brick porch and a large extension to the rear of the property overlooking the garden.

Photographs of Untreated Timber Cladding Three Years After Installation.

The clients at Leamington Terrace decided to leave the Iroko Cladding to their garden room extension untreated. Three years on the timber has weathered naturally to a beautiful silver colour.

See more images of Leamington Terrace >

An aerial photograph of the extension in North Berwick gives a plan view of the proposal. The foundations have been dug for this garden room to a listed cottage set one street back from the seafront. The scaffold from which this photograph was taken has a wonderful view looking out to the islands of East Lothian.

This classic Edinburgh bungalow gained planning permission for a large rear extension in June.

The project started on site in September and the timber framed extension is starting to take shape. The extension benefits from very large sliding doors to maximise the daylight and views.

A loft conversion is taking place in conjunction with these works and progress can be seen in a separate post.