Scottish design studio Fraser/Livingstone recently completed a mass-timber angular tenement-style housing extension dubbed the Simon Square. It is located in Edinborough and is made up of six flats, replacing an old builder's yard that is on a site surrounded by 19th-century stone tenements. It is made to retain the privacy of the homes surrounding the area by removing the boundary walls and adding the angular structure.
Speaking about the project, architect Ayla Riom tells Dezeen that "Our chamfered form with big picture windows and lime-plastered masonry sits contemporary in the street and the south side of Edinburgh. Close proximity to the neighbors demanded a solution to avoid overlooking while also creating views and letting light in. The resultant chamfered edges and saw-toothed rooms not only provide good outlooks but define centered flexible rooms."
Historical Building Angular Extensions
Fraser/Livingstone Adds a New Tenement to an Old Site
Trend Themes
1. Mass-timber Construction - Designers are exploring the potential of mass-timber construction to bring a sustainable, modular and renewable resource option for building extensions and structures.
2. Angular Extensions - The development of angular and chamfered forms in architecture offers an opportunity for designers to create modern structures that sit comfortably within older, established neighborhoods.
3. Privacy-enhancing Architecture - The demand for privacy in personal and communal spaces has led to architects exploring new ways of creating structures that respect the privacy of surrounding buildings while providing uninhibited views and natural light.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Design - There is a growing need for sustainable, modern and aesthetically attractive building design, offering a unique opportunity for architects and designers to explore the potential of new materials and forms in building extensions and new structures.
2. Real Estate - Real estate developers and investors can explore innovative solutions in building designs, bringing unique and modern structures to existing communities and neighborhoods.
3. Lumber and Woodworking - The use of mass-timber construction represents a significant market opportunity for the lumber and woodworking industry, offering a sustainable and renewable building resource option that can be used in projects on a large scale.