News of Projects on Site
Our project for the British Embassy in Skopje, Macedonia, is almost complete with the Embassy Staff moving in Mid-January. Meanwhile, work begins on site at the end of January on our new British High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Scaffolding has been removed from some of the housing/office building for Castle Rock Housing Association/EDI on the Cowgate, Edinburgh and our new building for the London Foot Hospital, as part of the University of East London in Stratford, is now also taking very clear shape. These projects are due to be completed in May and March 2006 respectively.
And Finally...
Visitors to the office will now be drawn by our magnificent blue neon sign, the final part of the renovation of the Breakfast Mission building.
Scottish Enterprise Dynamic Place Awards 2005
The Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre, Peebles, together with the Buredi Housing Development at Old Fishmarket Close, Edinburgh, both won Commendations in this Award Scheme announced at a Dinner at the Ratho Climbing Centre, Near Edinburgh on 24 November.
Two Major Planning Applications for the Ex Royal Infirmary Site, Edinburgh
Southside Capital, the developers of the Ex Royal Infirmary (now called Quartermile), commissioned the Practice for two major housing projects: the redesign of the Grade A Surgical Hospital Building for housing (there being no market for the previous design for a Five Star Hotel for this site) and also new construction for all the social housing on the site. The Surgical Building will contain 174 flats and the rear will consist of a plinth of commercial units surmounted by two new towers of 56 flats. The social housing for Hillcrest Housing Association, occupies a square site on Chalmers Street. The design places approximately 170 flats around a courtyard development with some commercial accommodation at ground floor.
Office Trip to Eichstatt and Munich
The entire office, together with special guests, flew to Germany for four days to look at the work of Architect Karl Josef Schattner in Eichstatt and then onto Munich to see a variety of buildings and sample local beverages. This picture shows the team in the renovated Schloss Hirschberg by Schattner just outside Eichstatt - one of the most unusual and daring renovations of an historic building there is!
Invitation to International Competition in Denmark
We are delighted to announce that the Practice has been invited to enter a Competition for the regeneration of arts buildings in Vejle, Jutland, Denmark. The project is for the renovation of former industrial buildings. Four Practices from outside Denmark have been invited along with five Danish Practices. It is a great honour to be invited to such an important project and it follows on four years after a major Exhibition about the Practice’s work was staged in Aarhus and then Copenhagen.
New Projects Shortlists
The Practice has been shortlisted for a number of interesting arts/cultural projects in recent weeks. These include the masterplanning of the Dundee University site adjacent to our design for Dundee Contemporary Arts, a new building for the Peacock Arts Centre in Aberdeen, alterations to Battleby House, Perth for Scottish Natural Heritage and the redesign of the Greenock Arts Guild’s premises.