Lots of our projects have been continuing on site despite the adversity of this last year and we thought we would show some photographs of work currently in development and nearing completion. Out of a long and bitter winter we are beginning to feel the warmth and welcome the new shoots of spring here in Edinburgh, and the connections to landscape and sunlight which have long been imagined begin to reveal themselves with the turning season.  

Helen Lucas Architects have recently completed a full renovation of a 3-storey townhouse on the picturesque seafront of North Berwick.

Our colleague Christina is cycling the North Coast 500 with a 3-person team from Proper Adventure Journal, which features ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This is a considerable undertaking, involving 500 miles cycling (with over 35,000ft of climbing) in four days around the incredible scenery and roads of the North Highlands of Scotland.

Helen Lucas Architects entered a recent competition by Highland Council for the design of three roadside shelters at Locharron, Achnasheen and Braemar Junction.

Taking the view, orientation to the sun and exposure to the surrounding environment as the inspiration, the project sought to provide places of ‘prospect and refuge’ for visitors to the area. The shelters used a combination of local materials and pre-fabrication to make construction and repair as easy as possible in these often remote locations. 

Although we were not shortlisted in the final three entrants we very much enjoyed developing these proposals.

We have recently completed this new build family home in the Swanston area of Edinburgh. The house is designed to nestle into it’s sloping site whilst maximising the views of the Pentland hills beyond.  The orientation and form of the dwelling creates two private courtyards allowing the occupants to enjoy the morning and evening sun both outside and in the principal living area. 

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.

Helen Lucas Architects were delighted to obtain planning permission for the refurbishment and extension to a Highland Hotel this month.

The proposals include a new accommodation block, extended restaurant and refurbished bar and dining area.  One of the most exciting additions is a timber deck that will cantilever over the loch to provide breathtaking views and alfresco dining.

Helen Lucas Architects have received plannning permission for a new low energy house in rural Midlothian. The house will feature an air source heat pump, rainwater harvesting and solar panels. The building will be clad with lime render, larch boarding and standing seam zinc roofing.

The sea might be cold but the cedar hot tub installed at this seaside house makes enjoying the water a little bit easier in the north west of Scotland.
 

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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