XXIII Ravelston Terrace
on site, due to complete 2008

Sundial Properties acquired the building in partnership with Kilmartin Property Group in 2004
First phase of 20 apartments launched May 2007 with 41 remaining to launch soon
Largest penthouse at 275m² takes up half the top floor of this long building

Ravelston Terrace apartments - Website: www.23ravelston

Formerly known as Croythorn House: on site late 2005

This Edinburgh building was sold on and is now being designed by Allan Murray Architects (Jan 05)


image from Allan Murray Architects - no larger image

Client: YOR Limited
Location: Croythorn House, Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh

Plans submitted for the revamping of the 1970's Croythorn House on Ravelston Terrace have been given the go ahead by Edinburgh City Council's planning committee. The scheme, developed by RMJM for Aberdeen Property Investors, will not only extend the life span of the building by 25 years but also include a low-energy environmental strategy and a new contemporary identity for the building.


building image from RMJM

The new look for the controversial office block is based on the same principles that were used in the design of the original slab block building. However, RMJM's scheme uses more contemporary materials and the latest in passive low-energy design that will produce a richer, more layered and interesting façade. The slender proportions of the original construction will be maintained by adding a transparent skin on the east and west façades incorporating long, horizontal timber louvres that will pick up the colour and banding of the original brick skin.

The existing poor internal conditions and lack of environmental control are not on a par with today's standards of modern office space. RMJM developed a low-energy strategy for the building that aims to reduce the running costs and offer more individual control of the environment to the occupants.

The solution uses a double skin glazed façade combined with internal opening windows to provide natural ventilation. A preliminary Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - a nationwide measure of best practice in environmental design and management - was used to assess the proposed low-energy solution and the refurbished building would receive a 'very good' rating (the second highest one possible).

RMJM bring to this project many years of experience in major office developments including award-winning projects such as the Glaxo Wellcome World Headquarters in Greenford as well as the Scottish & Newcastle Headquarters and 23, St Andrews Square in Edinburgh. The practice is particularly committed to providing clients with environmentally efficient design schemes.

Croythorn House - RMJM: Building PR 01.09.03

Architecture Books




Scottish Architecture

RMJM - Key Projects:
Palm Island Dubai
British Home Stores, Edinburgh (Robert Matthew)
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Newcastle College
Homes for the Future, Glasgow
Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Glasgow Harbour - various buildings
Falkirk Wheel
Western Harbour, Leith
Lothian Regional Council, Edinburgh (Robert Matthew)
David Hume Tower, Edinburgh (Robert Matthew)
Croythorn House, Edinburgh
Scottish Public Pensions Agency, Galashiels

Edinburgh : back to index




The most well-known Scottish building by RMJM Architects has to be the Scottish Parliament in collaboration with EMBT Architects