Multi-Cultural Family Base Leith, Ace Design Studio Edinburgh, MCFB Building, Green Forrest Joinery
Multi-Cultural Family Base in Leith news
19 January 2023
Location: Leith, Edinburgh
Designers: Ace Design Studio ; Consultant Interior Designer: Rachel Codd
Multi-Cultural Family Base Leith Building
The design statement:
“Following a period of quiet dilapidation, grassroots charity Multi-Cultural Family Base have had their activity spaces revitalised at a listed building in Leith, Edinburgh.
Startup company Ace Design Studio took on the engagement process, speaking with staff, service users, and suppliers, to generate a tidy, friendly, and warm aesthetic for the historically rich rooms. The charity work with ethnic minorities, children, and trauma victims in the local community. “Given also my experience as a youth worker, it was refreshing to conceptualise with the clients at such a deep social level – identifying specific vulnerabilities of their local community and how interior design could respond with a narrative of collective ownership and familiarity,” said Ali Uddin, Lead Designer.
The main space, so-called the ‘group room’ was tied together with bespoke plywood seating and shelving units that soften the transition between the historical detailing, and a baby-friendly timber world. In the cosier ‘counselling room’ a newly fashioned therapy space can be partitioned off with track curtains, while the north-facing drop-leaf tables will provide concentrated fine art sessions. One key to the design was to safeguard future change by ensuring adaptability. Meeting tables combine together into table tennis, bench seating was up-cycled to include children’s storage, craft supplies can be turned into coat hooks.
“It is so exciting,’ said one youth worker, “That children will be able to come in and see that their ideas were actually taken on – and turned into practical realities.”
“The volunteering effort to physically complete the works has also created a sense of belonging, with so many suppliers pulling through to provide expertise and donations,” said Rachel Codd, consultant interior designer. “Graphenstone’s paint offered the perfect sensitivity for the aging walls and ceiling, with a highly breathable mix that did not include toxic VOCs. IKEA’s reuse hub was also a valuable source. Overall it was just great to find clients onboard with the sustainable psyche!”
We hope MCFB finds the new spaces fit-for-purpose and a joyous respite for years to come.”
Multi-Cultural Family Base Leith – Building Information
Completion date: 23rd December 2022
Location: Leith, Edinburgh
Client: Multi-Cutural Family Base
Designers: Ace Design Studio
Consultant Interior Designer: Rachel Codd
Floor area: 40 sqm
Paint: Graphenstone
Joinery: Green Forrest Joinery
Furniture supplier: IKEA
Comments on this Multi-Cultural Family Base in Leith, Edinburgh article are welcome.
Edinburgh Homes
Edinburgh Property Developments – recent selection below:
Red Sandstone Building on Leith Walk
image courtesy of the Drum Property Group
Red Sandstone Building, Leith Walk
Rowanbank Gardens, Corstorphine
Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing
West Town Vision
image courtesy of architects practice
West Town Edinburgh Property Vision
Lothian Architecture Designs
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Opens
photo : Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Victoria Street
St James Quarter’s W Edinburgh
image courtesy of architects practice
W Edinburgh Hotel at St James Quarter
Comments / photos for the Multi-Cultural Family Base in Leith – MCFB Edinburgh Building page welcome
