February 13 2020

Susan Stephens Architects have been drafted in to prepare updated designs for 148 student beds on Edinburgh’s Mayfield Road by Lanark Student Living.

Superseding a prior bid to create 274 beds (subsequently withdrawn) the latest bid calls for a more contextual approach while integrating a contemporary building within an established streetscape just out with the University of Edinburgh’s King’s Campus masterplan.

Detailing their approach to a site with complex planning history the architects wrote: “Whilst the King’s Buildings to the north offer a completely different scale, mass and architecture to the Liberton Dams village feel, there is a natural assessment of rising height and reference.

“Notwithstanding this, the proposal will be judged largely next to its immediate context. By aligning with the established pattern, grain and streetscape, a contemporary solution integrates well by following simple principles.”

Key changes include a reduction of both mass and scale by pushing back a fourth-floor setback further from adjoining terraced homes together with the amalgamation of an ‘awkward’ protruding element within the body of the main façade.

The stepped façade of buff brickwork is marked by distinctive pre-cast concrete window details in a reference to the use of bay windows elsewhere along the street above a white pre-cast plinth.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by classarchitect on 13 Feb 2020 at 17:02 PM

The scheme you linked to was for 158 rooms. Looks on the portal like there was a scheme between that and this for 274 by a further, different architect, which was withdrawn. Choices choices!

#2 Posted by Boab on 13 Feb 2020 at 20:57 PM

Top floor is a shocker....and the four floors beneath. Have Susan Stephen Architects heard of roofscape...or context. 5 stories versus 2? Really?

#3 Posted by Dulnain on 14 Feb 2020 at 12:45 PM

While this is an obvious site for student accommodation there is no reason why it shouldn’t respect the character and scale of its immediate neighbours. The natural assessment of rising height and reference would appear to achieved by a drop in level over the width of one student bedroom before rising to a scale more appropriate to the distant Kings Buildings. Just smacks of over development.

#4 Posted by Sultan of Brooneye on 15 Feb 2020 at 17:21 PM

There is no context of merit to define the scale of this proposal. Crack on SSA, get this one did.

Post your comments