The Lochrin Square Project by Michael Laird Architects, Edinburgh
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Lochrin Square - Nov 2007
Fountainbridge office development completed, consolidating the expansion of The Exchange financial district to the south
Site Photo, Dec 2006:
exterior image from Michael Laird Architects
Lochrin Square - on site photos:
exterior photo © Adrian Welch sep 2006
Michael Laird Architects
Lochrin Square, Edinburgh: on site imminently
image from Michael Laird Architects
Lochrin Square, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
For Scotmid/Bett Properties
The practice has obtained planning permission for a new HQ for the rapidly growing Scotmid Group on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Fountainbridge project – Lochrin Square - is to re-develop Scotmid’s present headquarters building to provide 12,000m2 of office and restaurant space.
image from Michael Laird Architects
The speculative office development incorporates the ‘B’ listed former Scotmid Headquarters in one of the two new buildings. The new buildings wrap round behind the existing stone building onto Fountainbridge, subtly locking into the city fabric. Surface car parking and poor quality extensions are to be removed. A small square, inserted between the new and old buildings opposite Edinburgh Quay, is centred on a route between the two new buildings and acts as a focus for the project. The development links the restored Union Canal basin – opposite, behind Cargo Bar - with The Exchange Edinburgh Financial District, expanding the office core of the city. A curved building faces the roundabout creating a foil to the curved prow of Edinburgh Quay Phase One diagonally opposite.
image from Michael Laird Architects
The site is situated on the corner of Fountainbridge and Gardners Crescent adjacent to the Scottish Widows HQ. Fountainbridge is rapidly developing into the natural extension of Edinburgh’s premier business district The Exchange. Lochrin Square has a strategic role in continuing the development of Fountainbridge, making it a high quality destination within the city and continuing positive urban development strategies whilst making a key linkage between the Exchange and Edinburgh Quay and encouraging pedestrian links to the city centre.
image from Michael Laird Architects
Planning Permission was received in 2004 with the development proceeding to Tender. Lochrin Square is due on site in Autumn 2005.
Lochrin Square Fountainbridge - Professional Team
Developer Scotmid/Bett Properties
Architect Michael Laird Architects
Structural Engineer Blyth and Blyth Associates
M&E Engineer Rybka Battle
Quantity Surveyor Doig and Smith
Landscape Architect Hirsts Glasgow
image from Michael Laird Architects
Lochrin Square - Site Photo, Summer 2006:
image from Michael Laird Architects
MacTaggart & Mickel - Fountainbridge Housing proposal at Lochrin Place by Michael Laird Architects
Adjacent buildings to the north include Scottish Widows and Edinburgh Conference Centre. Immediately to the east is the site of the proposed Scottish Widows Phase 2.
The existing Scotmid building, 92-98 Fountainbridge - integrated into Lochrin Square - is category B listed and dates back to 1880; prior to that the site was a coal yard.
The adjacent Edinburgh Quay – also by Michael Laird Architects - is a £60m mixed use development at the eastern terminus of restored Union Canal. Phase One received planning permission in 2001 and is completing Spring 2005.
The Union Canal once dissected this site: the Canal dates from 1822 and originally terminated in Port Hopetoun [canal basin on Lothian Road]. Lochrin Basin was created in the early 20th century as the end section was infilled and the canal declined.
Prior to redevelopment much of the Lochrin Square site was occupied by surface car parking. The listed Fountainbridge frontage comprises a four-storey sandstone building in Scottish Baronial style which has been relatively well maintained but with the space behind having been converted to offices.
Integrated into the development were the Scottish Baronial frontage including its two returns, the main entrance stair, The Boardroom, the curved form of a Bakery to the north derived from Union Canal route and the ‘Bartizan’ tower from 1926.
Lochrin Square is located off Fountainbridge and just to the south of the Scottish Widows HQ. All car parking is located in an undercroft thus ensuring quality spaces above ground for pedestrians.
Reconstituted stone, glass and metal panels will create a distinctive appearance and form a building module which is intended to unify the development and express the structural logic of the individual components; string courses align between old and new. The new buildings are between four and five storeys high.
exterior photo © Adrian Welch sep 2006
Adjacent Buildings include Excel House & Semple St offices both by Michael Laird Architects; to the West are Fountain Park, Fountain North and the City Travel Inn
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Lochrin Square Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Lochrin Square - Website: http://lochrinsquare.com