Springwell House

Client: AMA (New Town)

Springwell House is a high quality and careful redevelopment of a Category C listed former asylum in Edinburgh. Careful balancing of conservation, extension and new build brings new life into a formerly dilapidated brownfield site.

The previous mixed uses of the building meant much of the historical aspects of the original interior were lost, so thoughtful design was required to allow large volumes and interesting roof spaces to be enhanced as part of the regeneration. These qualities give a mixture of unusual and interesting spaces for residents to enjoy. Significant yet sympathetic fabric upgrades were achieved through careful detailing, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the development. Existing poor value 1960s extensions were removed and replaced, enabling high quality modern, but in keeping, new elements of building to be integrated within the site. The prominent location of the site and adjacencies to local business provided both a challenge and opportunity to the development. Significant landscaping works were undertaken in liaison with Gorgie City Farm, a community charitable organisation neighbouring the site to the west. These works gave an opportunity to this local business to expand their site and potentially increase revenue. Springwell House is a prime example of a thoughtful regeneration of an unloved building and brownfield site into luxury homes within a key area of Edinburgh.