January 16 2023

An innovative collective build at Bath Road, Edinburgh, is in the final stages of obtaining planning permission, clearing the way for work to begin on a model which could help tackle the housing crisis.

Bath Road Haus by architect John Kinsley boasts a central heating-free design that is both affordable and places residents in charge of their destiny.

The trial site stands above a pub garden at the Shore, incorporating an extended bar on the ground level with three apartments above, with each occupant having a hand in designing their home.

The secret sauce of this approach comes from the novel introduction of shared ownership during the design and construction stages which enables future residents to pool resources and buy land - eliminating the traditional role of a developer and saving a minimum of 10% in the process.

This approach sees residents act as developers alongside a professional design and construction team, owning the apartments as normal once built. Built to Passivhaus principles the properties deliver the lowest possible running costs Incorporating a green roof garden the template is seen as being suitable for a wider rollout by CoHere Collective Custom Build, who have their eyes set on further projects including a community of over 30 homes above a cafe, bakery and bookshop.

Run by Kinsley and Pete Allen CoHere follows the template laid out at 26 Bath Road, the first collective custom build, which earned John Kinsley Architects the title of practice of the year.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 17 Jan 2023 at 09:15 AM

I know this is a slow week but this report is pretty thin gruel.

The design is honking / the build arrangements are shonky / the graphics are shocking -- makes you pine for a developer to join the party and provide the designated driver / grown up vibe so badly missing from the current efforts.

#2 Posted by Brian Sewell on 17 Jan 2023 at 09:54 AM

Beneath the rhubarb graphic, that's an elegant facade, if you look at the considered design drawing in the Bath Road Haus' link in the article.

#3 Posted by Mary Hill on 17 Jan 2023 at 11:02 AM

I actually find this drawing really refreshing - I think the focus on the life of the street is great

#4 Posted by KLD on 17 Jan 2023 at 13:18 PM

The buildings are the same height with the same number of storeys... so why can't the windows match?

#5 Posted by Fudge on 18 Jan 2023 at 09:42 AM

I think the collective build approach is really encouraging, the facade is elegant enough.

KLD I suspect this is because the taller shop unit ground floor of the tenements has been distributed evenly throughout the other floors. Which seems a fair trade, and isn't jarring.

#6 Posted by Leither on 18 Jan 2023 at 18:36 PM

A small correction to the article. The 26 Bath Road development is actually 26 Bath Street in Portobello.

#7 Posted by Mr. Benn on 20 Jan 2023 at 10:52 AM

Oliver Postgate inspired drawing- it could be around the corner from Festive Road. Where is Elmer?

#8 Posted by Stephen on 20 Jan 2023 at 19:53 PM

'The trial site stands above a pub garden at the Shore'. No, it's nowhere near Shore; it's just off Salamander Street a whole other kettle of haddock.

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