We are delighted to have received Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the renovation of a large warehouse building on Constitution Street in Leith. 

The project looks to renovate the existing building as workshop for framing and crating and office space, for a local art gallery. The thermal performance of the building is to be upgraded and accessibility improved with a new staircase and lift core. The installation of a new lift will also allow the delivery and movement of large items.

It has been fascinating to research the history of the building, which has gone through a number of uses, including a wireworks, cooperage, car mechanic’s and even at one stage a Masonic lodge.

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

Helen Lucas Architects recently hosted a community consultation for a new project in the village of Tongue, North-West Highlands. We found it greatly beneficial to discuss our proposals with the local community and they were enthusiastically received. The proposals seek to renew and add to an existing garage, shop and shed buildings formed around an enhanced ‘mercat’ street. We will be providing a new shop with fuel pumps, a restaurant, flexible pop-up shop area, event space, accommodation for tourists and a business start-up unit envisioned to house a microbrewery.

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 a new project in Midlothian. This renovation of an old agricultural steading provides a contemporary studio space for the clients, replacing the existing roof to better integrate the steading within the context of the surrounding modernist influenced house. The proposals also include sustainable insulation improvements to the existing building fabric.

HLA have recently been awarded planning for a new project in Edinburgh's Grange conservation area. The garden extension acts to bring more light into the building, creating a bright and contemporary living space with strong connections to the garden.  Clad in zinc, it is markedly contemporary whilst also being complimentary to the existing sandstone villa.

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.

As works to the historic Glasite Meeting House continue apace, HLA are excited to announce that we are working with Ingleby Gallery to restore and refurbish this beautiful building as a new contemporary art gallery for Edinburgh's city centre.

Further information can be found here: http://bit.ly/2GzM4Xo

HLA are delighted to have received planning permission for a large family home in the Scottish Borders. The property is currently a ruin, having served as a farm house and stable block until the 1930's. The new home will feature an indoor pool, private sheltered courtyard garden, and will focus on views across the surrounding landscape.

HLA are pleased to announce that planning permission has been granted for the river garden project at Auchincruive Estate, South Ayrshire for the charity Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland.

This ambitious project sees the creation of a residential training and social enterprise development centre for people in the early stages of recovery from addiction. The gardens provide a beautiful public destination, which is planned to include cafe, plant nursery, shop and a number of other social enterprises. Residential accommodation is also provided for up to thirty long term residents.

HLA have very much enjoyed working with IFDAS on the first stage, and look forward to seeing the River Garden project grow and flourish.

We are delighted to announce that works at Bread Street are almost complete. Keep your eyes peeled for The Fat Pony, a new wine bar opening to the public in the very near future. Almost all of the elements in the bar are bespoke and crafted locally; from the Douglas Fir shuttering and mild steel detailing, to the fabric panelling and folded metal light fittings . The Fat Pony will offer a unique selection of wines, charcuterie, small plates and more.

Images of the completed project can be found here.

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 are delighted to have received Planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the renovation and change of use of a C-listed mews house in the Dean Conservation Area, Edinburgh.

The dilapidated garage space is to be insulated and converted into a spacious one-bed home. A new opening to the rear reveals the stunning backdrop of the Dean Village and Water of Leith.

Originally designed as a row of stables in the late 19th Century, our proposal strives to retain the character of the original timber coach doors. A contemporary adaptation of the street elevation provides clerestory light, a hidden window concealed by a shutter, and a new place to sit and enjoy the sun.

HLA were pleased to attend the formal opening of new practice rooms at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland yesterday. The new practice rooms have already proved popular, and initial feedback from staff and students has been very positive.

HLA have very much enjoyed working with the Royal Conservatoire and the project team and hope that their new Creative Campus is an asset to this lively and thriving institution.

The opening has been covered by both the BBC and The Herald.

Renovation of this three storey Victorian end-of-terrace house in Hartington Place is nearing completion. 

Included in the work was the conversion of the original offshot utility room to a sunny dining space, with a large pop-out picture window facing the garden and a new opening through to the kitchen.

We are very happy with the latest stair installation at our project in Dollar, Clackmannanshire. The continuous handrail and dark treads contrast with the decoration, and the post-less construction allows the light to flood into the newly formed space through spindle balusters.

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. 

Work to an upper villa in Duddingston Conservation area is now complete.  The scheme has linked the upper apartment with a new ground floor extension which opens onto the garden with a view of Arthur's Seat.

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

Renovated and refurbished Maids quarters create light and contemporary living space in Edinburgh.

Existing Maids rooms were refurbished with new, larger windows added, creating a modern feel and flooding the rooms with natural light. The existing plan was opened up to give more generous living areas and comfortable circulation to the large Edinburgh home. The surrounding garden was also smoothed into a split level lawn paving aiding the houses engagement with the garden.

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 >