Our work supporting Gavin and Sean, winners of the Scottish Scenic Routes design competition round three, is nearly complete. The project fits well on the same site as our two camping cabins and provides toilets, a shower and a cafe kiosk for tourists on this well used route through the Great Glen.
Camping Pods Under Construction /
Our first two camping pods are taking shape on the banks of the Caledonian Canal, in the beautiful setting of Laggan Lock at the north end of Loch Lochy in the Great Glen. Oliver Chapman Architects are also supporting the winners of the Scottish Government's Scottish Scenic Route initiative, young architects Sean Douglas and Gavin Murray, with their design for WC and café kiosk facilities.
'Casa' Skerrie Magazine Feature /
Oliver Chapman Architects' Skerrie House near Anstruther has been published in architecture magazine Arhitext as part of a feature on 'Local Resonances: Houses near Water'.
"The projects express the crossing of a limit and the establishment of a connection, either in a literal, symbolic or metaphorical way. In the O House [Sou Fujimoto Architects], the planimetric configuration and the pellicle of the glass surface poetically envision a crossing through the particles of the ocean, [while] the Skerrie House materialises a latent connection with the sea."
Dr Knox's Enigma now 'On Air' /
The team from Oliver Chapman Architects had a great time on Friday night trying out their latest completed project, which has just opened its doors in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Dr Knox's Enigma is a live puzzle game featuring codes to crack, clues to find, and riddles to solve, all centred around the mystery of the body-snatchers in 19th Century Edinburgh. Our team managed to solve the mystery within the allotted time-slot (with a little help from our friends), and we can't wait to go back to try out another puzzle soon!
Project Architect: Akiko Kobayashi | Client: Puzzlemonkey Ltd
Scottish Design Awards Finalist /
Oliver Chapman Architects have been nominated as a finalist in the Residential category of the 2015 Scottish Design Awards for our Merchiston Apartments in Edinburgh.
The winners will be revealed at an Awards Ceremony on the 21st of May.... we're keeping our fingers crossed!
Quand l'architecture efface le handicap: OCA exhibit work in Lille /
Oliver Chapman Architects have been invited to display work at an exhibition in Lille, France, at the Maison de l'architecture et de la ville Nord-Pas de Calais. The exhibition focuses on architectural design for clients with disabilities, and will include a feature on our Todlaw Supported Housing in Duns, alongside other architectural projects from across Europe.
The exhibition runs from 14th April - 20th June 2015, and entry is free.
Merchiston Flats Complete /
Our new build flats in Merchiston for Wemyss Properties are now complete and we were delighted to learn that all eleven flats are now sold.
Ogilvie construction acted as main contractors delivering the build. The design features a carefully articulated and detailed limestone and rendered façade with recessed balconies responding to the scale and setting of mature trees and Victorian Villas along Polwarth Terrace; the glazed penthouse level offers dramatic views south toward Craiglockart and Corstorphine Hills.
New Outdoor Activity Centre for Bridge 8 /
We have been appointed by Bridge 8, a Social Enterprise Group that created Edinburgh’s first canal-based outdoor activity centre, to develop a site-wide regeneration strategy in West Calder along with Harrison Stevens landscape Architects. These proposals seek to enhance visitor capacity for activities such as Kayaking, paddle-boarding, biking and climbing both locally and further afield. Our proposals involve flexible off-site construction techniques to accommodate the evolving future needs of the centre.
Laggan Scenic Routes /
We have been working with Scottish Canals, Aecom and Harrison Stevens to create new visitor facilities and camping pods at Laggan Lock. Through this commission we have been delighted to have been supporting the Scottish Scenic Routes Initiative which has involved collaborating with Sean Douglas and Gavin Murray, two successful winners of the Scenic Routes competition. This Scottish Government funded initiative aims to promote and mentor recently graduated Architects via partnerships with established practices through creation of a network of sensitive new visitor attractions along the Canal Network and Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park.
Designs for Macfie Hall developing /
Following our success in a selected competition, we are delighted to have been developing designs with Macfie Hall Trust to adapt and extend the existing hall to maximise its potential for a wider programme of community use and as a destination within the Scottish borders.
Countesswells commissioned by Stewart Milne Group /
We have been working with Stewart Milne Group to create a new visitor centre as part of a new master-plan for Countesswells outside Aberdeen. The new mixed use development features over 3000 homes, shops, and new education and medical facilities.
The folded zinc form of the visitor centre creates a light and welcoming destination which ties into a wider landscape strategy developed by OPEN to encourage pedestrian movement through the site, connecting existing woodland and waterways with new leisure and equestrian routes.
Marchhall Road Homes&Interiors Scotland Feature /
We are delighted that our project to reconfigure a Victorian Villa in Edinburgh was featured in Homes and Interiors Scotland.
The project involved reconfiguring a sequence of spaces from the entrance right through to the rear to allow fluidity, maximise natural daylight and make better use of the footprint with the addition of a new garden room.
Michael receives RIAS Sustainable Accreditation /
OCA has received a further boost to its sustainable design credentials, as both Michael and Oliver are now RIAS Sustainable accredited architects.
The scheme recognises architects for their commitment through completed projects to deliver exemplary sustainable architecture through innovation, management and research.
Kelpies Pods open for business /
Our visitor facilities, commissioned by Scottish Canals, are now open at the Kelpies, Falkirk. They did a busy first day trading offering retail and refreshments to visitors.
Made largely off-site, these lightweight timber units were made in a joinery workshop and lifted into position from a lorry-based crane. Careful coordination with works to the site enabled the entire placement operation to occur in one day.
More units are planned for the Caledonian Canal where they will be used for camping by boaters and other trail blazers.
Kelpies Pods lifted onto site /
The four pods that together make up visitor facilities at the recently completed Kelpies horses head sculptures near Falkirk, have been successfully lifted into position. Fabricated entirely off site to accelerate construction, the project required excellent coordination of operations on site and in the factory.
Watch our time lapse movie of the installation on the project page
£5m HLF award for Edinburgh Printmakers at Fountainbridge /
We're delighted to have helped Edinburgh Printmakers secure £5m towards the transformation of the former North British Rubber Company building into a print-making facility and creative enterprises hub.
Work to the property will be carried out in phases and includes repair of the external fabric to improve insulation and the creation of new open plan floorplates internally with lift and stairwell access.
HLF head Colin McLean said: “Castle Mills was once at the heart of a thriving community but now stands empty and neglected and whilst much-loved, its restoration presents huge financial challenges. We are delighted to be able to help unlock its potential so that it can once again be a centre for new ideas and productivity, and a catalyst in the regeneration of Fountainbridge.”
Built between 1856 and 1897 the factory is the last physical reminder of the area’s industrial heritage and had been languishing on the Buildings at Risk register prior to today’s announcement
Macfie Hall, Heriot - Competition Win /
After an invited competition we are delighted to have been selected as architects for the refurbishment and extension of the Macfie village hall in Heriot, Scottish Borders.
New Book, 'Dumfries House' published /
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Scheduled Monuments of Scotland has just published a new book on Dumfries House by author Simon Green. In 2009, Oliver Chapman Architects were appointed by the Dumfries House Trust led by HRH Prince of Wales, to design facilities for visitors within the house.
'On 18 July 1754, William Crichton Dalrymple, the 5th Earl of Dumfries, laid the foundation stone of Dumfries House. It was the first country house built by Robert, John and James Adam – the brothers whose architectural practice was to become the most famous in Britain'
Oliver Chapman. Speaker at the Hutters' Gathering /
Oliver Chapman is an invited speaker at the Pecha Kucha event at the Hutters' Gathering organised by the Thousand Huts campaign - 22nd February 2014, Edinburgh http://www.thousandhuts.org/
Planning and funding boost for Scottish Canals Visitor Centre at Kelpies /
Located between the 30 metre high steel Kelpies horses head sculptures and the sea lock at the Helix Park, Falkirk Grangemouth, these facilities will be used by the public and operations team of Scottish Canals. The brief involves a challenging programme – five months from inception to completion. The design was driven by the adaption of an off-site manufactured solution already under development with Scottish Canals