Edinburgh Colony house style repurposed for Leith Fort
November 1 2017
Adopting a modern twist on the colonies concept the homes are built as double flats with the upper flats front door on the opposite side to the lower portions front door, enabling each half to benefit from its own front garden.
Jakub Stojek, one of the first to move into one of the new homes in July, said: “I quickly became fascinated with a colourful history attached to the place – originally built in 1780 as military base to defend Leith against the American navy, in the second half of the 20th century it made way for a housing estate.
“High quality, low cost and energy efficient housing is simply out of reach for many people in Edinburgh, so these mid-market rent homes offer one solution to the problem.
“It’s very unusual to see a modern take on the colony-style houses that are so characteristic of Edinburgh, and I think that makes Leith Fort an important place for Leith and Edinburgh. There’s definitely lots of potential for a very strong community to develop here.”
Collective Architecture delivered the scheme, which was originally developed up to planning by Malcolm Fraser Architects. Harrison Stevens provided the landscape design.
Communal landscaped areas are included in the mix
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5 Comments
#1 Posted by Daniel on 1 Nov 2017 at 09:58 AM
Good stuff - looking forward to seeing these in person.
#2 Posted by Basho on 1 Nov 2017 at 12:58 PM
An amazing transformation. Really well designed development. When Fort House was there it was a grim no-go area.
#3 Posted by Cadmonkey on 1 Nov 2017 at 13:56 PM
I thought Edinburgh Design Guidance required recycling to be under cover.
This is a very good example why.
The aspect out of some of these rooms overlooking the bins is going to be grim.
No doubt an improvement on what was there, but on the wholeI am failing to see much merit in this, which is let’s face it a monotonous terrace housing development. A serious missed opportunity.
This is a very good example why.
The aspect out of some of these rooms overlooking the bins is going to be grim.
No doubt an improvement on what was there, but on the wholeI am failing to see much merit in this, which is let’s face it a monotonous terrace housing development. A serious missed opportunity.
#4 Posted by boaby wan on 1 Nov 2017 at 14:21 PM
I like a good colony flat, but surely the point of the colony typology is that, along with having your own front door, you also have your own front garden rather than all the gardens at one side?
The detailing and layout don't really look anywhere near the aspirational originals in quality or function, seems like they've used the "colony" as a way to sway planners
The detailing and layout don't really look anywhere near the aspirational originals in quality or function, seems like they've used the "colony" as a way to sway planners
#5 Posted by Sven on 3 Nov 2017 at 20:05 PM
Agree with the above, surely to be a true colony style you have gardens at each side? Is someone not going to have a teeny tiny bit of patio and the other a garden? And agree on the bins: who wants to look out and worse smell a midden? Yuck. There is lots of space to move this away from homes so why place it outside people houses? Silly amateur design mistake. I will admit to liking the design and concept apart from these silly mistakes.
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