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 are delighted to have received Building Warrant approval for an Artist’s Studio and Gym buildings in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 

The proposals will provide a generous light-filled Artist’s Studio with views out over the beautiful landscape design by Tracy McQue. The Gym building will boast breath-taking views of the landscape and hills to the South. The buildings are designed to sit comfortably within their surroundings with simple modern forms and refined palette. Blackened timber cladding is paired with zinc roof and powder coated window frames/rainwater goods. 

We're looking forward to breaking ground, with the project set to start on site next month.

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 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.

Our project in Edinburgh’s West End is progressing well, with some incredibly neat workmanship of the new and refurbished roof. The new dormer captures tremendous views across the city and to the hills beyond.

Thanks to main contractors Gloss Projects, Grey and Dick windows and Finial roofing for all their hard work.

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.

The renovation and extension of the house on the shores of Loch Linnhe is now nearing completion. Work comprised an extensive refurbishment of the original house interior and wood fibre insulation wrap to the exterior, set against contemporary timber and zinc clad extensions. These create extensive new living areas and capture the breathtaking views across the landscape. 

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.

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. 

We are delighted to have received planning permission for a new build house in Belhaven, East Lothian.

The house will sit at the rear of a long plot with a narrow plan to nestle into the shape of the site. It is split into two main components separated by a modest entrance courtyard. The walls will be clad in brick to match neighbouring buildings, and timber cladding left untreated to grey gradually and blend into the leafy garden surroundings.

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. 

Practical Completion has been certified at the garden room extension at Stanhope Place in Edinburgh.  The roof has been designed so evening sun can still reach the sheltered east corner of the site which is the perfect spot for a gin and tonic.

A workers cottage in west Edinburgh has been transformed by a full width rear extension.  The zinc extension perches on top of the existing stone work giving the back of this previously cramped property a complete overhaul.

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

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.

Planning Permission has been granted for a new house on Canaan Lane in Edinburgh's Morningside neighbourhood.

The 3d image below shows how the new 3-bedroom family house will use natural local sandstone to match the adjacent historic house, with a contemporary zinc-clad upper storey.

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

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

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.

A new seaside family house is now complete in Roshven, Invernessshire.

The environmentally friendly house is constructed entirely of wood with Green oak frame creating large double height internal spaces. The timber walls have been super insulated with NBT breathable wood fibre insulation and a taped air tight wall construction. This makes the house very easy to heat. Due to the remote location there is no gas or water supply available. An Air Source Heat pump located under the houseuses electricity to generate energy at a three to one ratio to power the underfloor heating and domestic hot water. A bore hole drilled to a depth of fifty metres provides clean water from the rocks which is UV treated to provide the drinking water.

View more photographs of this project >

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 are delighted that this contemporary, new build house is complete.

Overlooking the beach and sea, the colours of the environment leap into this modern stone clad house. The windows were carefully set out to capture the islands scattered in the North Sea at North Berwick, a coastal town approximately an hour from Edinburgh. The house is built from natural materials, stone, zinc and lime render. Wood fibre insulation was specified for breathability and the building was designed to be extremely energy efficient.

After careful consideration the clients decided to keep the interior very neutral to contrast with the colours in the landscape at this magnificent site.

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The standing seam zinc roof has been installed at the site of one of our new build houses in Roshven, Glenuig.

The zinc specified is prepatinated to a dull grey colour to blend in with the natural greys of the surrounding rocky beach site. Zinc is a self healing material that is infinitely recyclable. More photos to follow when the protective coating is removed.

View photographs of the completed project >