November 6 2019

Hillcrest Homes, recently rebranded from Hillcrest Housing Association, has taken possession of a distinctive development 47 affordable homes abutting a walled garden following their handover by Hart Builders and Cruden.

The £5m development utilises a historic brick boundary at Edmonstone walled garden, incorporating the structure as its gable with newly inserted windows permitting light to pass through.

Designed by EMA Architects & Design the project saw the existing wall cleaned, repaired and repointed with access provided by a new scalloped opening marked gate piers formed from down takings.

David Zwirlein, Hillcrest director of development, said: “The remaining wall of the former Edmonstone House’s garden is a reminder of the rich heritage of the area, and we were keen to retain this historic structure and make it central to the new development.

“The constructed homes have been created within the walled garden, and the wall itself features within the buildings’ design.”

A total of 16 cottage flats and 31 houses now sit in the gardens of the former Edmonstone House, demolished in 1950 save for its garden structures.

10 Comments

#1 Posted by Damp Proof Membrane on 7 Nov 2019 at 14:42 PM

Poor wall.

#2 Posted by Mansart22 on 7 Nov 2019 at 15:48 PM

Great for a zombie apocalypse!

#3 Posted by StyleCouncil on 7 Nov 2019 at 16:03 PM

What a waste of a lovely site. There is so much wrong with this....

#4 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 7 Nov 2019 at 16:10 PM

A real shame the car parking wasnt kept outside the square to allow a central garden and shared public space.

#5 Posted by and there we have it on 8 Nov 2019 at 08:47 AM

comments above explain exactly why architects are removed from reality.
ITS A HOUSING ASSOCIATION!
tenants might have mobility issues and suggesting cars be kept outside the gardens....honestly?
there already is a large space of land in the middle which might be called a central garden.

#6 Posted by David on 8 Nov 2019 at 09:52 AM

Are these portakabins?

#7 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 8 Nov 2019 at 10:37 AM

#5. Being a project funded by a housing association does not make it exempt from criticism.

#8 Posted by jimbob tanktop on 8 Nov 2019 at 10:48 AM

"I must admit I didn't think much of Andy Dufresne first time I laid eyes on him..."

#9 Posted by Partick Bateman on 8 Nov 2019 at 11:46 AM

Hillcrest take possession of walled car park!

What an odd place; in the middle of nowhere with a wall built around it. It would be significantly improved by just demolished that wall ... or the houses. Am I being a wall-philistine?

God help anyone living here with mobility issues. They'll have nothing to do all day besides stare blankly at a car park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACPd3QcfB0

#10 Posted by StyleCouncil on 8 Nov 2019 at 15:32 PM

#5 what an odd comment.
Is affordable housing free from scrutiny on quality of design? Why?. Think folk who rely housing associations should just be thankful they get a roof over their head?.. most AH projects i have worked on have a more rigorous design and quality of detailing approach than the private noddy box shizzle.
This is an appalling looking scheme, with eaves detailing akin to a 1990s prison.

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