Harris & Johnston Architects, Edinburgh: A Selection of Our Projects

The four recent house extensions, illustrated below, were completed in 2004/5. In each case the scope offered by the
existing premises had been assessed by the clients over a long period, years in some cases. Although quite different
in character, the final result in each case is appreciated and valued, having provided the lifestyle improvement sought by
our clients.

All of the designs were evolved patiently in close consultation with the clients, allowing works to progress in an
unhurried manner. All too often when the decision is finally taken to proceed with a project, it is possible to act in haste
to "catch up", resulting in projects which don't realise their full potential.

Living Room / Kitchen Extension, Craigleith, Edinburgh

The existing detached house was comfortable but too
small for planned additions to the family. The scheme
provides increased living accommodation incorporating
large windows to take advantage of the terrific views
over the city towards the Castle and Arthur's Seat, with
good undercroft storage as a result of the steeply
sloping site.

A new bathroom was also created in a rear attic dormer.
External treatment includes well-executed facing brick

arches specifically requested by the client.




Front	Front	Rear

First Floor Extension, Arboretum Road, Edinburgh

Our clients were aware for some time of the possibility for extending over their large existing garage. Proximity to the site boundary and restrictions imposed by the configuration of the existing house ensured that this was an exacting exercise of dimension and scale.

Some positive dialogue with the local Planning Department contributed to a successful project which sits well with the existing building. The new work comprises two large bedrooms with en-suite facilities, and a new family bathroom.

Rear Extension, Brunstane, Edinburgh

The existing bungalow was ok, but just too small to be perfect. Options for extension and attic conversion had been considered, however detailed investigation proved that there was little scope for the attic due to insufficient height. A rear extension was therefore proposed. initially to improve the kitchen and replace a small existing sunroom.

During the design process the brief was broadened to include two further rooms and a new bathroom. The client took the opportunity to have the existing roof re-slated, enhancing the relationship between existing and new.

Extension at Marchfield Lodge, Queensferry Road, Edinburgh

Existing poorly executed (lean-to) extensions to this historic Lodge House were removed, allowing a new two-storey extension to be constructed on the cleared site, originally the location of early 19th century stables and a courtyard. The existing five-metre high stone wall to the west of the courtyard was retained as an external wall of the extension, having window openings created overlooking the garden. Additional living space and a bathroom were provided on the ground floor, with a large bedroom / en-suite on the first floor.

Externally, wet-dash painted roughcast, natural stone window surrounds, and wallhead slated dormers are used to compliment the characteristics of the existing house. Thus the old and new blend well together.





Townhouses, Trafalgar Lane, Edinburgh

Although this site had been identified as suitable for Housing by the City Planning Department, scope for development seemed impossible as only a five metre wide strip could be utilised, were the relevant urban design rules to be applied. Having thought through the impositions, Harris & Johnston suggested that requirements for open areas at ground level could be met by incorporating a series of recessed balconies, setback wall planes and open wells into the mass of the building.

Each three-storey townhouse has a dedicated private parking area with daylight provided through open-mesh balconies above. Accommodation over the three floors includes a living room / kitchen, separate or combined to the buyer's requirements, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This project is a good demonstration of our ability to devise housing solutions for difficult sites.



		The Bothy, Ewingston Farm, East Lothian

		Set in a woodland rural landscape, the 18th century Bothy was altered and extended to form a three-bedroom house with a cruciform plan. Natural stone cladding to new- build sections, roofs finished in salvaged pantiles, and dark oak windows and doors retain the rustic character of the Bothy. Internal split-levels, high quality materials, and off-white wall finishes create a light, spacious interior. Completed in autumn 2001.





Before (note smiling client)	After	After (note client still smiling)

The Old Joinery, Peebles

The Crumbling joinery workshop was on its last legs in summer 1986, when rescued by Harris & Johnston private clients, just returned from living abroad. The building was partly demolished, partly rebuilt, altered and extended to form a two-bedroom attic flat over an Art Gallery and Cafe at ground level. Regarded generally as a great improvement to the streetscape, the project was short-listed for the Civic Trust Award.





Sunroom Extension, Willowbrae, Edinburgh

The clients required increased living accommodation incorporating substantial daylight, but did not want a conservatory. Neither an extension nor a conservatory resulted, with the completed project being somewhere in between. The clients continue to remind us that their quality of life has been immeasurably enhanced.

The Steading, Midcalder

An aborted restaurant conversion of The Steading by others was rescued in 1993 by a Harris & Johnston developer client. Retaining some features of the restaurant additions, particularly the lean-to glazed enclosures, The Steading was converted to form eleven unique (one-to-three roomed) houses around the existing courtyard. The original coach house and stables layout can still be seen within the houses and the whole development retains an agricultural atmosphere. When completed in 1995, this was a very popular development. Maturing gardens and surrounding woodland have increased the ambience still further.





House Extension, Hillpark, Edinburgh

The Transformation of a modest detached house in suburban Edinburgh by the addition of a first-floor extension over the existing garage. The house now contains six apartments, none of which is mean in dimension. Based on a complex structural support system, the new work is detailed to tie in with the building form and materials. This is a good example of the client maximising the scope for improvement offered by their existing house.





Crighton Cottage, Innerwick

This ruined outbuilding was originally a workshop with a hay loft over, included with the purchase of a new family home by the client in the early 1990s. Harris & Johnston redesigned the building to form a holiday cottage. Existing historic details were retained and substantial repairs were undertaken to the red sandstone walls and pantiled roof. Further works were undertaken over the next few years until the property attained the status of an independent house with its own garden, by way of sub-division.

OTHER HOUSING PROJECTS INCLUDE:

New Build:

Lower Gilmore Place, Edinburgh: 1990-1991

Block of housing containing 13 flats and 10 garages for Fountainbridge Housing Association. Contract value: £450,000

Burntisland, Fife - development to form townhouses in gap site.

Dunfermline, Fife - development to form 4 flats in gap site.

Blackhall, Edinburgh - feasibility study for development of 8 townhouses and 6 flats.

Penicuik, Midlothian - new gap site development to form 2 flats.

Conversions and Renovations:

High Street, Dalkeith - conversion of listed building to form 5 flats.

Leith Walk, Edinburgh - conversion of two properties to form 5 and 3 flats.

Drummond Street, Edinburgh - conversion of building to form 4 flats.

County Houses, Fordell, Fife - renovation and refurbishment of former Coal Board Houses to form 16 flats.

Plus numerous conversion and new build feasibility studies and projects for individual clients.

A Selection of Our Clients

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