We are deeply saddened to share the news of the death of our founding director, Oliver Chapman.
Oliver cared deeply about his craft. His interest in architecture ran the gamut of the profession; city place-making to careful detailing; ideas and conversation; his care for his community, collaborators, students and colleagues; always exploring, learning and sharing.
While the time will come to talk about his legacy, right now we are feeling the loss of our mentor, colleague and friend. Our thoughts are with his wife Tessa and his family.
OCA is now an employee owned business /
We’re celebrating our 25th year in practice by becoming an employee owned business and making some new appointments. Martin Lambie has been made a Director along with Oliver, and Cat Liggat and Anna McLuckie are now Associates acknowledging the wider team’s breadth of experience and vision for the practice’s bright future. With a wide ranging set of projects in our portfolio and on the drawing board, we’re looking forward with enthusiam to continuing our work with our clients, consultants, colleagues and friends.
Thanks for advice from Ralph Leishman, Blackadders, DBFM, Scottish Enterprise and David Narro.
Featured
OCA are hiring an RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant or a recently qualified Architect /
We are looking for an Architectural Assistant or a recently qualified Architect to join our team and be involved in a variety of interesting projects.
We are a close knit team of like minded people who are looking for another architect to join us to help design and deliver some exceptional projects. We are an award-winning practice with a growing client base operating from premises in Edinburgh’s old town. For a relatively small practice we cover an interestingly wide range of projects including occasional domestic projects, various community-led projects, co-design events, and buildings for healthcare, leisure and culture.
The ideal candidate will be either an RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant or a recently qualified Architect. We look for people who are articulate, curious, creative and interested in design. We want good designers, good communicators and people who want to contribute as part of a team. The ability to produce top quality visuals is a must. The office uses Revit, Autocad, Sketch-up and Adobe Creative Suite packages, a knowledge of which would be preferred but is not essential.
Our studio is fast paced, friendly, focused and fun. It’s a great place to start and grow your architectural career.
To apply, please send us an introductory letter, a current CV and examples of work covering a range of appropriate skills to admin@ocarch.co.uk
Progress at Sciennes Road /
We are delighted to have received planning approval for alterations to this detached cottage in Sciennes.
Rather than extending into the property’s mature rear garden, the proposals focus on making the most of the existing footprint; glazed openings to the ground floor provide a new connection to the outdoors, while a new dormer to the rear roof pitch allows for an enlarged bedroom and new bathroom to the upper floor.
Martin Lambie has qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer /
OCA are delighted to announce that Martin Lambie has qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer, following his training with AECB & Peter Warm.
Passivhaus is an international design standard which slashes energy use from buildings, reducing their ecological footprint and delivering high standards of comfort and health. As a practice OCA will be looking to this standard in future projects to help us deliver very low/ net-zero carbon, high quality buildings for our clients.
Welome Cat and Marion /
Catriona Liggat and Marion Richard have joined OCA.
Cat has experience running projects across all RIBA stages within a variety of sectors. She is passionate about promoting circular strategies and examining where these may be more holistically integrated within a project.
Marion completed her RIBA Part II qualification in 2017 and has experience working on a range of projects across all design stages, from £100k house extensions to larger £1-2 million residential and commercial schemes.
Progress at Primrose Bank Road /
OCA have obtained planning permission for the alteration and extension of a Victorian semi-detached villa on Primrose Bank Road in Trinity, our second project on the street.
The proposals seek to modify and extend the existing single-storey rear annex to create an open, pergola-like structure as an interface between the solid masonry villa and its garden, forming a new connection to the outdoors via a new garden room and creating a smooth transition between the internal and external spaces.
We are excited to be taking this project forward in the coming months - watch this space!
The Egg Shed featured in the RIAS 2021 Doolan Awards Shortlist Showcase /
Hear more about the Egg Shed at Ardrishaig from OCA Project Architect Anna McLuckie and Jill Malvenan from Scottish Canals as they reflect on the challenges and successes of the project as part of the 2021 RIAS Doolan Award shortlist showcase. Alongside four other projects the Egg Shed was shortlisted for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2021.
Videography by Zac and Zac, with thanks to the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.
OCA are hiring an Architectural Technologist /
We are looking for an experienced Architectural Technologist to help design and deliver some exceptional projects. We are an award-winning practice established twenty years ago, with a growing client base operating from premises in Edinburgh’s old town. For a relatively small practice we cover an interestingly wide range of projects in sectors varying from workplaces, healthcare, community and cultural uses, residential and individual domestic project.
We are looking for a motivated and well organised individual with excellent technical knowledge, construction detailing and communication skills, to join the friendly team. It is an excellent time to join our team.
Required skills & experience
· A Chartered Architectural Technologist 5 [+] years post qualification experience.
· Enthusiastic, flexible with a positive working approach.
· Excellent experience of both refurbishment and new buildings, Design & Build and Traditional projects.
· Good understanding & technical abilities of design and detailing.
· Proficient in Revit and CAD and experienced in BIM process and application.
· Working knowledge of NBS specification system.
· Have some job running experience across all work-stages.
· Good working knowledge of the Scottish Building Regulations.
· Ability to undertake site inspections.
· Personable, confident, & an excellent communicator
· Full, clean UK driving license.
· Language: English (Required), & currently possesses the right to work in the UK.
· Full-time, Temporary
For the successful candidate this is a real opportunity to be a part of the Practice’s long-term future.
To apply, please send in your CV and examples of your work to admin@ocarch.co.uk. Direct applicants only
OCA are hiring an Architect with minimum three years experience /
We are looking for an architect to join our team and be involved in a variety of interesting projects.
Oliver Chapman Architects is an award-winning practice with a growing client base. We operate from premises in Edinburgh’s old town. For a relatively small, growing practice we cover an interestingly wide range of projects including occasional small domestic projects various community-led projects, co-design events, and buildings for leisure and culture.
You should be an Architect registered with the ARB. Ideally you should have a minimum of 3 yrs professional experience.
You will likely be working on a multi-use project through the technical design and construction stages as well as being involved with upcoming feasibility studies.
We would particularly like to hear from candidates who can demonstrate the majority of the following skills and experience:
A proven track record of experience delivering high quality architecture
Experience in running projects at a range of scales from small domestic to £3M, covering all work stages, will be an advantage.
Close attention to detail across all aspects of design and good technical knowledge.
Effective time management, resourcing and managing the project team
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and graphic communication skills
Experience, working knowledge and understanding in AutoCAD, Revit, Creative Suite
Self-motivated but also a good team player
A driving licence is advantageous
Closing date for applications: 03/12/2021
To apply, please send us an introductory letter, a current CV and examples of work covering a range of appropriate skills to admin@ocarch.co.uk
OCA are hiring a RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant /
We are looking for an Architectural Assistant to join our team and be involved in a variety of interesting projects.
We are a close knit team of like minded people who are looking for another architect to join us to help design and deliver some exceptional projects. We are an award-winning practice with a growing client base operating from premises in Edinburgh’s old town. For a relatively small practice we cover an interestingly wide range of projects including occasional domestic projects, various community-led projects, co-design events, and buildings for healthcare, leisure and culture.
The ideal candidate will be an RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant.
We look for people who are articulate, curious, creative and interested in design. We want good designers, good communicators and people who want to contribute as part of a team.
The ability to produce top quality visuals is a must. The office uses Revit, Autocad, Sketch-up and Adobe Creative Suite packages, a knowledge of which would be preferred but is not essential. Candidates will ideally already have a minimum of six months architectural work experience.
Our studio is fast paced, friendly, focused and fun. It’s a great place to start and grow your architectural career.
Closing date for applications: 03/12/2021
To apply, please send us an introductory letter, a current CV and examples of work covering a range of appropriate skills to admin@ocarch.co.uk
Seminar with Sapieza University of Rome /
Anna McLuckie and Oliver Chapman have been invited to participate in a seminar with the Architecture department at Sapieza University of Rome. The Egg Shed project will form part of a unit investigating three dimensional design and technology.
News of an RIBA National Award 2021 for the Egg Shed, Ardrishaig /
Part of a former fuel storage site that detracted from Ardrishaig's lovely Pier Square, the structure has been reused and extended and is now a vibrant visitor attraction and community meeting space right on the edge of the sea loch. Visibly marking the change in tidal levels, the new intervention appears like a form slipped within the old building, settled at a safer raised height.
Welome Martin and Pamela /
Martin Lambie and Pamela Feng have joined OCA.
Martin recently oversaw the £4m second phase of Galeri arts centre in Caernarfon which won an RIBA Welsh Architecture Award last year and the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, winner of the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, which he worked on from planning to completion.
Pamela is a recent Masters graduate from the University of Edinburgh, qualifying with a Master of Architecture with Distinction and was awarded the ESALA postgraduate prize for best overall MArch student, joint award 2020-2021
OCA announced Architecture Practice of the Year at the Scottish Design Awards /
We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’ at last week’s Scottish Design Awards - the crowning glory in a year which has been simultaneously stimulating and challenging for the team.
In addition to this headline news we also picked up an award in the Regeneration category for the Egg Shed and Ardrishaig Harbour revitalisation project, as well as our Flitch House project in Trinity being declared winner in the Low-Cost Project category. We’d like to offer congratulations to the other members of the design teams, contractors and clients which we have had the pleasure to work with on these projects.
Awards nominations for The Egg Shed & Flitch House /
We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted in the Scottish Design Awards, rounding out a bumper crop of six awards nominations across 2020, including the RIBA/RIAS Awards and the Edinburgh Architectural Association Awards.
For the Scottish Design Awards, The Egg Shed has been nominated in the Public Building category while the wider Ardrishaig Harbour redevelopment has been recognised in the Regeneration category. Finally, Flitch House has been included on the Low Cost Projects shortlist. We can’t wait for the virtual awards ceremony next month!
Developing proposals for Glenluce GP Surgery /
We’ve recently been working on proposals for redeveloping the GP’s practice in Glenluce, Dumfries & Galloway, where the community wants to secure its future healthcare provision by buying the surgery. We explored options for how to deliver best long term value for the community. It’s great to have got the study submitted to the Scottish Land Fund for Stage 2 funding.
Working with the local community at Astley Ainslie /
OCA are delighted to have been selected to lead a team to help develop a spatial framework, feasibility study and business plan for the community ownership of the Astley Ainslie Hospital site, Edinburgh.
The Astley Ainslie has lessons for its future in its recent past. Its garden-like setting has made it a poignant place for people to recuperate and revitalise after experiencing personal trauma. The community Visioning Report from 2019 shows us a glimpse of the many benefits the site could provide such as a community hub, health and wellbeing provision, novel forms of housing tenure, productive greenspace, and outdoor learning and recreation through continued public access. We are looking forward to collaborating with the Astley Ainslie Community Trust and the wider community to develop their vision of a new future for this important site.
The team includes Athena Solutions, HarrisonStevens, Michael Collins Architect, Sam Shortt, Simon Whatley and Thomson Gray.
Flitch House featured on Dezeen /
Lovely to see our contemporary interpretation of the Arts & Crafts tradition, Flitch House, featured by architecture and design magazine Dezeen. Check out the full article at https://www.dezeen.com/2020/05/07/flitch-house-extension-oliver-chapman-architects-arts-crafts/
Edinburgh Architectural Association shortlists both The Egg Shed & Flitch House for 2020 Awards /
Time for a double celebration with two of our recently completed projects being shortlisted for the Edinburgh Architectural Association awards! The Egg Shed, Ardrishaig is shortlisted in the Ambassador Award category, for best project outside the Edinburgh area while Flitch House, our house extension in Trinity, is shortlisted in the Small Projects category. We look forward to celebrating with the other nominees later in the year.
The full shortlists can be viewed at https://eaa.org.uk/awards
Director