3 Traquair Park West

On a limited budget, City Architecture Office was appointed to rationalise and extend this Arts & Crafts two-storey end terraced villa in Corstorphine.

The client demanded a modern open plan kitchen, dining, study and lounge with the flexibility to close off rooms and achieve a more traditional layout when required. Easy access to the garden and an additional bedroom was also needed.

By demolishing a1960’s outshot and associated alterations, a full width single storey extension was added to the rear of the property. This required natural light to be brought into otherwise deep plan internal spaces without costly alteration of the original structure.

This issue was resolved by an innovative construction solution:
The roof form is designed to provide natural borrowed light to ‘internal’ rooms. This is maximised through a frameless rooflight and positioned to suit the original opening. The clean form compliments the character of the original house. High quality detailing and natural materials combine with low cost agricultural sheeting to produce an intriguing contemporary structure that compliments the neighbouring buildings.

The client shared our approach to sustainable design throughout the whole refurbishment that included new heating, wiring & bathrooms. A lightweight single skin timber & steel frame construction was used to reduce haulage loads and increase the storage of sequestered carbon. High levels of insulation maximise the buildings thermal efficiency. All materials were chosen on their life cycle and recyclable credentials.