This project comprised the renovation and extension of a Georgian Villa in Sciennes Gardens in Edinburgh. The existing house is unusual in that its main façade addresses a large walled garden rather than the street, but the house was dark and had an uninspiring breeze-block extension and the south elevation was a blank gable wall.

The house has been sympathetically restored - work included major fabric repairs and reconfiguring the layout of the ground floor rooms, as well as the addition of under-floor heating. The clients were keen to extend the house in a modern way incorporating a room that could open up to the garden in contrast with the house. The clients also required a shower room suitable for use by a disabled friend, a utility room, a wine store room/larder, and a large kitchen.

The existing extension was replaced with a long service block containing the additional spaces and kitchen, which opens onto a small herb garden to the south. The new garden room was placed on the south elevation of the house, which opens up to the west and south and is hidden from the street by the existing house. A dramatic projecting roof allows the large sliding door to be opened in all weathers, protecting the room from the elements. Materials used externally are untreated oak, stainless steel to the roof and flashings, and glass. Internally a limited palette has been employed - slate flooring, rotary cut birch kitchen doors and wall panels in the corridor.