Editorial: June 2001

The latest projects to create a stir include the Jeffrey Street and Market Street buildings by Allan Murray Architects and Reiach & Hall Architects respectively. Other issues such as the long-overdue submission for the GPO Building and the 'C&A' scheme on Princes Street have been less trumpeted, and the lack of publicity given to the redevelopment of the Royal Infirmary on Lauriston Place by Foster & Partners conceals a scheme with major impact potential on our city. Fosters were also involved with the Lattice Property masterplan for the gasometers site at Granton: the possibility that this land may be up for sale obviously may lead to a lesser-quality masterplanner coming on board.

Ticking along in the background is the Ocean Terminal which - whether seen from close-up or from Arthur's Seat - makes a huge impact on the city's built environment. We eagerly await release of images for the Terry Farrell & Partners and Holmes Partneship schemes, both part of the Conran & Partners masterplan for Leith Docks.

Housing was the them of this year's RIAS Conference at Dundee and with the development of the 'South-East Wedge' and Granton / Leith waterfronts the issue of housing design quality is a high priority. The ecologically-orientated Slateford Green Housing by Hackland & Dore, current high-density work by Richard Murphy Architects at Cramond and the Holyrood Projects by the likes of Ungless & Latimer and E&F Maclachlan should all provide good models for these new schemes.

One suspects though that unless prodded and cajoled, the developers will litter these huge new tracts of land with 'Noddyland Baronial': good masterplanning and a proactive attitude from the Planning Department are vital; a range of imaginative architects will help. Let's keep the pressure up to ensure that Clients choose the procurement methods most conducive to creating good architecture.

Architecture Competition




Scottish Architecture: best Scottish Buildings of the last three decades
Modern Houses
Scottish Architects of the past
Scottish Housing

Edinburgh : back to index


Market St, Edinburgh - Buildings featured:-

Richard Murphy Architects
Fruitmarket Gallery, 29 Market St, 1991
Refurbishment to form new art gallery & café in building at south edge of Waverley Station.

Fruitmarket Gallery




Reiach and Hall Architects
Science Centre, Market St, not yet on site (2004)

Edinburgh Science Centre