March 19 2025

A new wave of housing at St Andrews West will be delivered by Studio LBA following the delivery of 96 phase one homes, 46 of which are already complete with the remainder to follow suit by November 2026.

The practice is returning to the Fife town to continue delivery of a masterplan governing the allocation of land west of the historic centre at Bell Brae. When complete the urban extension will constitute 900 homes as well as shops, schools and commercial space.

The latest addition will add another 110 'heritage inspired' mixed tenure homes, including pitched gable fisherperson colony-style apartments.

Lynsay Bell, managing director of Studio LBA, commented: “LBA’s design approach for these residential phases draws inspiration from the traditional St Andrews vernacular and its unique context, while reimagining contemporary living through energy-efficient homes. At the core of our vision is quality placemaking, aiming to foster a strong sense of community and create beautiful, functional homes. We’re excited to build on this foundation, with a continued focus on design, sustainability, and placemaking to further enhance residents’ quality of life.”

Phase two of St Andrews West is being built by Headon Developments.  

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 Mar 2025 at 10:30 AM

Open external staircases -- are they still allowed?

Fishing -- not a huge amount of local heritage in that.
The architect needs to reset his compass -- this is not the East Neuk.

#2 Posted by His / Her on 19 Mar 2025 at 15:12 PM

Her compass...

you need to reset your gender bias---this is not 1985.

#3 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 Mar 2025 at 15:54 PM

OK -- sorry for that.

I blame Fleetwood Mac.
70's MOR / US influenced Fleetwood Mac.

#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 Mar 2025 at 15:57 PM

No matter the gender or even sex of the architect -- the design is still pretty poor.

Very heavy / very flat / little character.
Overall it lack definition.

#5 Posted by and here was me thinking that the use of the vernacular might have solved this modernist issue on 19 Mar 2025 at 16:25 PM

'Mixed tenure' - presumably this will exclude the partially sighted given that they will be unable to pass the all important acid test of actually locating and accessing their own front door and not confuse it with the bins?

#6 Posted by Awful on 20 Mar 2025 at 17:50 PM

Not a fan

#7 Posted by Ewen Cameron on 21 Mar 2025 at 14:13 PM

Very little design flair or local vernacular here. What about local stone matching? Could be anywhere in England. Bleak & brutal design. Way too heavy brickwork and ‘punched thru’ flat-roofed dormers look an afterthought and out of character. Looks like a brick co designed and built them. Disappointing & lacking imagination.

#8 Posted by Bricking It on 23 Mar 2025 at 11:23 AM

Yup, looks like somebody had a load of spare bricks they needed to get rid of in a hurry.

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