February 4 2021

The second phase of a masterplan to regenerate a former waste processing works at Powderhall, Edinburgh, has taken shape with a novel intergenerational and Passivhaus facility.

Filed by Collective Architecture on behalf of The City of Edinburgh the proposal is the first in Scotland to combine independent living for older persons and nursery accommodation in one energy-efficient structure.

Completing the circle of life the dual build ensures residents can remain in the community for as long as possible while affording additional learning and social opportunities for up to 128 children.

Formed from pigmented pre-cast concrete and brickwork the -plan block encloses south-facing gardens while providing active frontages to an entrance square off Broughton Road as well as an upgraded footpath, part of the quiet route network. Both elements will share a single portico entrance with 27 flats above accessed from a shared balcony with window seats to encourage occupation.

A roof terrace and communal garden with sensory planting round out the amenities on offer, landscaping is undertaken by Urban Pioneers.

Project architect Nicola McLachlan said: “The Powderhall mixed-use masterplan is reflective of an ambitious client and a participatory place-based design approach that has developed innovative and holistic living possibilities, taking proactive steps towards ensuring future communities are both socially and environmentally sustainable and successfully rooted with their surrounding neighbours.

"Phase two of the masterplan focuses on sharing, agency, and autonomy in the context of increasing age demographics, rising levels of loneliness, and takes cognisance of the significant shortage of older persons homes – particularly within urban areas."

Carl Baker, architect and Passivhaus designer, added: “In addition to Passivhaus and the proposed renewable technologies, sustainability has been considered throughout the project from the co-location of services and the shared building elements to the reduction of embodied carbon by incorporating a circular strategy."

Work will begin immediately on the restoration of a nearby stable block to provide flexible workspace for small businesses ahead of an expected start on phase two in September. When complete the Powderhall masterplan will deliver over 200 homes, a third of which will be classed as affordable.

The project team includes David Narro Associates; RSP Consulting Engineers; David Adamson Group; PDA Armour Construction Consultants Currie & Brown and Sandy Brown Associates.

Visualisations provided courtesy of Touch3D and Collective Architecture.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Neil Munro on 5 Feb 2021 at 09:19 AM

This is really beautiful!

#2 Posted by MV on 5 Feb 2021 at 10:56 AM

Passivhaus - great. Really like the proportion and detailing on the "front" elevations. But is it really going to be pink, like the grand budapest hotel? hmmm...

#3 Posted by Callum Duff on 24 Oct 2023 at 11:13 AM

Any chance of some imagination in the architectural style of these buildings? I though we'd left faceless concrete and flat roofs in the 1970's. As for the colour of the buildings, it resembles uncooked chicken. As a local resident, I welcome the development, just not these unremarkable concrete lumps.

#4 Posted by Callum Duff on 1 Feb 2024 at 10:31 AM

Any news on when construction is supposed to commence? There's been precious little activity on the site so far.

#5 Posted by UR on 1 Feb 2024 at 15:35 PM

@4 Construction was supposed to commence in 2022! The last update was planning approval in November 2021.

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