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

The Egg Shed features in Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland magazine

One of our architects, Anna McLuckie, has recently written about The Egg Shed for AHSS Magazine, published by the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. Anna’s article explores the fascinating history of Ardrishaig, and the role of the redeveloped building in telling this story to locals and visitors.

The Egg Shed shortlisted for RIBA/RIAS Awards

We're delighted that The Egg Shed, Ardrishaig has been shortlisted for this year's RIAS/RIBA awards by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Well done to the whole team, and our client Scottish Canals. Congratulations to the other shortlisted architects - it's great to be in such good company!

The full shortlist can be viewed at https://www.rias.org.uk/about/rias-awards/2020

Sighthill Enterprise Wharf gains planning approval

Sighthill Enterprise Wharf, our latest project working with Scottish Canals, has recently been granted planning permission by Glasgow City Council. The building, to the north of Glasgow’s city centre, will provide low cost office spaces for social enterprises and start-up businesses, as well as facilities for the existing and growing communities of Sighthill and Port Dundas. The wider scheme will also create a much improved public realm along the canal linking to nearby residential developments.

Developing ideas for the Midsteeple Quarter in Dumfries

We’ve been helping to develop ideas for regenerating the Midsteeple Quarter in Dumfries, and have enjoyed engaging with the local community, sharing our thoughts on how to transform the town centre in a vibrant place for ‘living and making’.

Rose Court shortlisted for Chartered Institute of Housing Excellence Awards

We’re delighted that Rose Court, Galashiels has been shortlisted in the Chartered Institute for Housing Awards, in the category Excellence for Development in Affordable Housing. The project delivers ten affordable homes for Scottish Borders Housing Association, arranged in a crescent on the edge of the 1960’s Langlee estate. This nomination is a reflection of the hard work put in by the whole team over the past few years.

The Egg Shed is officially open!

A brilliant day out for the team last week at the official opening of The Egg Shed, our community and heritage centre for Scottish Canals in Ardrishaig. Situated right on the edge of Loch Gilp, the new building provides a destination for learning about the rich heritage of the area alongside facilities for both visitors and local residents. It was great to see so many people enjoying the new exhibits and public realm, not to mention the beautiful Scottish sunshine!

Public realm takes shape at Ardrishaig Heritage & Community Hub

Great to see the emerging public realm at Ardrishaig Heritage & Community Hub, where our new building sits within and alongside the old ‘Egg Shed’ on the edge of Loch Gilp.

Site start in Trinity

We’re kicking off the New Year with a site start for our extension in Trinity, Edinburgh. Over the next few months we’ll be posting regular updates from the build which will provide a contemporary response to the craft and materiality of the Listed Arts & Crafts house

We're growing!

OCA is growing! We’re celebrating our expanding team, with three new colleagues joining us over the past year. Coming from a range of backgrounds, our team represents a wealth of experience suited to the breadth of projects we have ongoing within the practice.

A special welcome to our latest team member, Kadum, who joins us as a Part II Assistant.

Lock 16 Canalside Community Hub granted planning permission

Falkirk Council has recently granted planning consent for our proposals to transform the former Irn-Bru factory at Lock 16. The project will provide a new base for Scottish Canals and its partner organisations, including a canal-based skills and training centre and improved amenities for the local community.

OCA develops proposals for Macfie Hall

OCA is assisting the local community of Heriot, in the Scottish Borders, with alterations to improve the use and environmental performance of Macfie Hall.

Handover day at Rose Court, Galashiels

Last week the keys for our new crescent of affordable homes at Rose Court, Galashiels were handed over. We’re delighted that the first tenants will be moving in before Christmas! 

Intriguing photos from our renovation project in Elie

We’re enjoying the latest developments on our renovation project in Elie on the Fife coast. These new timber windows, suited to local conservation area, remind us of an art installation.

Site progress at Rose Court

Our new crescent of affordable homes for Scottish Borders Housing Association at Rose Court, Galashiels is taking shape. The project will provide ten new homes arranged in a single crescent with great views across the landscape. Check out our instagram page for regular updates. 

Working with Edinburgh World Heritage to open up the Tron Kirk

We’ve recently been helping Edinburgh World Heritage Trust to open up the Royal Mile’s Tron Kirk, the home for their new Our World Heritage exhibition. It’s been a great project to be involved in and a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history of this fascinating building. 

Ardrishaig Community Hub takes shape

We're enjoying the combination of glorious weather and great progress on site in Ardrishaig, where the slab and sea wall are now complete. The site's location on the edge of Loch Gilp means that flood resistance has been a key consideration in our design, with changes in materials above and below a datum that will run through the building.  

Oliver Chapman Architects appointed to lead transformation of former Irn-Bru factory at Lock 16, Falkirk

Oliver Chapman Architects are delighted to have been appointed by Scottish Canals to lead a team to transform the former Barr’s Irn-Bru factory in Falkirk into the Lock 16 Canalside Community Hub, providing a canal-based skills and training centre, and creating an asset for the local community.