Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to congratulate Associate Nick Green and Senior Associate Lucy Sacker on qualifying as Certified Passive House Designers with the Passive House Institute. 

As Scotland moves towards adopting a Passivhaus Equivalent standard for all new build housing, the depth of knowledge and technical understanding gained will be a valuable resource within the practice in continuing to deliver low energy, super-efficient and thermally comfortable projects – both new build and refurbishment. 

The construction industry has a huge role to play in responding to the Climate Emergency and we look forward to using Passivhaus as a tool to reduce the impact our buildings have by reducing their in-use energy demands, alongside wider efforts to reduce the embodied carbon of our designs. 

Helen Lucas Architects ltd is a member of the Passivhaus Trust and we would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in pursuing a Passive House or Enerphit project.

Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to congratulate Architectural Assistant, Jake Woods, upon winning gold in the men’s PR1 2000m at the 2024 World Rowing Indoor Championships in Prague. Congratulations Jake!

Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to congratulate Director and Architect, Rosalind Love, on the successful completion of her RIAS Conservation Accreditation. Ros’ specialist knowledge of conservation architecture is invaluable to the practice; many of our projects situated in conservation areas and several undertaking works to listed buildings. Congratulations Ros!

Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to announce that Will Cairns has been made a Senior Associate, and Nick Green an Associate. Congratulations Will and Nick!

Helen Lucas Architects Ltd are excited to announce that we are currently working with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to reinvigorate the Grade B Listed Inverleith House. The project will establish design solutions to sensitively refurbish and upgrade the garden’s key creative programmes venue, amplifying the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Arts Strategy to establish Inverleith House as Climate House and be both ecologically and sustainably focused. 

The next online event hosted by Construction Declares Scotland is on Thursday 6th May at 16.30. It focuses on the built environment’s response to the climate emergency.

Featured speakers include: 

 

Tickets for the event can be purchased from this link, and more information on the Construction Declares Group can be found here.

 

Helen Lucas Architects is proud and delighted that Christina Gaiger has been announced as one of Architects' Journal’s ’40 under 40’ - a long-running recognition of architecture’s brightest up-and-coming talent.

Since 1985 AJ has been highlighting the most promising architects, innovators and designers and the alumni of ’40 under 40’ include some of the world’s leading designers and thinkers. Congratulations to Christina, an amazing achievement! 

Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to announce that Rosalind Love has been made a director. This reflects the senior role she takes in supporting Helen in the practice. Congratulations to Ros!

 

In preparation for returning to working from the office we have been working with Allgood, our wonderful ironmongery specialists, to upgrade our space in line with new Covid-19 working practices. 

This year, instead of distributing Christmas cards we have decided to make a charity donation to Crisis. 

Our project in Edinburgh’s West End is progressing well, with some incredibly neat workmanship of the new and refurbished roof. The new dormer captures tremendous views across the city and to the hills beyond.

Thanks to main contractors Gloss Projects, Grey and Dick windows and Finial roofing for all their hard work.

HLA have recently been awarded planning for a new project in Edinburgh's Grange conservation area. The garden extension acts to bring more light into the building, creating a bright and contemporary living space with strong connections to the garden.  Clad in zinc, it is markedly contemporary whilst also being complimentary to the existing sandstone villa.

Stripping back the historic layers and piercing the gloom; bringing new life to a New Town flat. 

Helen Lucas Architects’ project for Ingleby Gallery at the Glasite Meeting House has been featured in the latest issue of the Magazine of The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. Written by architectural assistant to the project Cal Harris, the feature charts the historic development of the Glasite Meeting House and details the recent conversion into a dynamic, versatile platform for contemporary art.

The full article can be read here (.pdf).

Links to information regarding membership to AHSS can be found here .

As works to the historic Glasite Meeting House continue apace, HLA are excited to announce that we are working with Ingleby Gallery to restore and refurbish this beautiful building as a new contemporary art gallery for Edinburgh's city centre.

Further information can be found here: http://bit.ly/2GzM4Xo

HLA are delighted to have received planning permission for a large family home in the Scottish Borders. The property is currently a ruin, having served as a farm house and stable block until the 1930's. The new home will feature an indoor pool, private sheltered courtyard garden, and will focus on views across the surrounding landscape.

HLA are delighted that two of our projects (Frisealach and Taigh Na Coille) have been included in a new book by Peter Wilson, focussing on contemorary timber construction around the UK.

We are delighted to announce that works at Bread Street are almost complete. Keep your eyes peeled for The Fat Pony, a new wine bar opening to the public in the very near future. Almost all of the elements in the bar are bespoke and crafted locally; from the Douglas Fir shuttering and mild steel detailing, to the fabric panelling and folded metal light fittings . The Fat Pony will offer a unique selection of wines, charcuterie, small plates and more.

Images of the completed project can be found here.

HLA are delighted to have received Planning Permission for an attic extension at a house in the Coltbridge and Wester Coates Conservation Area. The property was previously extended for the same owners by Helen Lucas Architects in 2009.

HLA are delighted to have received Planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the renovation and extension of a B-listed Victorian villa in the Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area. Extending into an unused existing void space, the proposal strives to reorganise the villa to adapt to the needs of modern living; a generous kitchen-dining space overlooks the leafy front garden, whilst new decking and openings accentuate the relationship between the house and the redesigned rear garden.

A quadripartite window to the front elevation is composed to match the existing fenestration; the verticality and generous proportions are a contemporary articulation of the original early Victorian facade.

The renovation and extension of this house in Merchiston, Edinburgh is now nearing compeltion. Work has included the formation of new zinc clad extensions to the rear of the house, as well as extensive Lithomex stone repairs, which beautifully match the original building fabric.

HLA are delighted to have received Planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the renovation and change of use of a C-listed mews house in the Dean Conservation Area, Edinburgh.

The dilapidated garage space is to be insulated and converted into a spacious one-bed home. A new opening to the rear reveals the stunning backdrop of the Dean Village and Water of Leith.

Originally designed as a row of stables in the late 19th Century, our proposal strives to retain the character of the original timber coach doors. A contemporary adaptation of the street elevation provides clerestory light, a hidden window concealed by a shutter, and a new place to sit and enjoy the sun.

HLA were pleased to attend the formal opening of new practice rooms at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland yesterday. The new practice rooms have already proved popular, and initial feedback from staff and students has been very positive.

HLA have very much enjoyed working with the Royal Conservatoire and the project team and hope that their new Creative Campus is an asset to this lively and thriving institution.

The opening has been covered by both the BBC and The Herald.

HLA were pleased to revisit our project at Woodhall Road, Edinburgh 18 months after practical completion. The garden-room features a postless corner, allowing open views and access to the adjacent garden.

We have recently completed this new build family home in the Swanston area of Edinburgh. The house is designed to nestle into it’s sloping site whilst maximising the views of the Pentland hills beyond.  The orientation and form of the dwelling creates two private courtyards allowing the occupants to enjoy the morning and evening sun both outside and in the principal living area. 

Our project at Hillend is currently up for sale, and is still looking fantastic after 11 years! Please contact the current owners through HLA to receive further information.

We are pleased to announce that as of 1st April 2016 Helen Lucas Architects became a Limited Company.

Having moved into our new office in 2015, we are excited to be progressing a range of new and varied projects due on site this year.

Helen Lucas Architects are delighted to announce that 3 members of staff have recently passed their final professional examinations.

Three new members of staff have recently joined the team at Helen Lucas Architects. 

Laura Harty joined the office in June, Neil Dargie in August and Will Cairns in September.

Helen Lucas Architects have now moved in to newly refurbished offices at 31-35 Marchmont Road.

HLA are delighted to announce the promotions of Clare Armstrong, Lucy Sacker and Claire Metivier to the position of Associate.

They will continue to work as a Project Architects but will now also take on a wider role within the practice.

Helen Lucas was recently invited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to discuss the practice of Architecture in the UK. In the podcast Helen shares her unique perspective on the profession, the workplace, sustainability, and what made her originally want to become an Architect. 

Click here to listen to the podcast

We are very happy with the latest stair installation at our project in Dollar, Clackmannanshire. The continuous handrail and dark treads contrast with the decoration, and the post-less construction allows the light to flood into the newly formed space through spindle balusters.

We are delighted to have received planning permission for this new build house in the south of Edinburgh. Set over 2 levels, the transparency of the elevations visually connect the interior spaces with 2 new courtyard gardens, whilst the upper roof terrace takes in fantastic views to the Pentland Hills.

Helen Lucas Architects observe the eclipse through their carefully constructed pinhole cameras.

We were pleased to see our two complementary rear extensions to a villa in the Grange taking shape. The Summer House is clad in pre-patinated copper. The same material is also used to hightlight a slot picture window on the stone extension, which houses a new bathroom and utility. 

A 100m2 extension to a Georgian House in Northern Fife starts to take shape on site.

The dual pitch of the roof allows for a sheltered external area, which takes advantage of the southern exposure whilst providing internal shading during the summer months. 

Stonework is nearing completion at our garden room extension at a C-listed house in Colinton, Edinburgh. With wide, postless-corner glazing, this space will provide fantastic views across the adjacent garden.

The rooflight of an extension to an A listed garden flat in The New Town Conservation Area was installed this week. It provides a fantastic source of light into the new family dining area. 

Helen Lucas Architects were delighted to attend the 2014 Inverness Architectural Association Convention on Skye. Enjoyable presentations included those by Hugh Strange, Jonathan Hendry and Malcolm Fraser amongst others, as well as a talk by Helen Lucas entitled 'Building on the Edge'.

The office was delighted to be awarded a Commendation for Best Use of Timber at our Croft House, Stoer, which was collected by Project Architect Claire Metivier.

Practical Completion has been certified at the garden room extension at Stanhope Place in Edinburgh.  The roof has been designed so evening sun can still reach the sheltered east corner of the site which is the perfect spot for a gin and tonic.

Helen Lucas was invited to a Russwood extended CPD in Pisek, Czech Republic, with a selection of Architects from across Scotland. The CPD was an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the production and design possibilities of timber flooring. 

A workers cottage in west Edinburgh has been transformed by a full width rear extension.  The zinc extension perches on top of the existing stone work giving the back of this previously cramped property a complete overhaul.

Charred timber cladding is the proposed finish this Edinburgh Extension which has recently gained planning permission.  The folding sliding doors and timber ingos will be oiled to provide an interesting contrast as can be seen on this visualisation.

Work to an upper villa in Duddingston Conservation area is now complete.  The scheme has linked the upper apartment with a new ground floor extension which opens onto the garden with a view of Arthur's Seat.

We have recently completed an extension to a house on a corner within the Portobello conservation area.

Helen Lucas Architects have received plannning permission for a new low energy house in rural Midlothian. The house will feature an air source heat pump, rainwater harvesting and solar panels. The building will be clad with lime render, larch boarding and standing seam zinc roofing.

Planning Permission has been granted for a new house on Canaan Lane in Edinburgh's Morningside neighbourhood.

The 3d image below shows how the new 3-bedroom family house will use natural local sandstone to match the adjacent historic house, with a contemporary zinc-clad upper storey.

This green oak framed house, completed in 2008, was featured in the homes section of the Guardian on Saturday 5th October.   The photographs show how the house has weathered into - and become a natural looking part of - the landscape.

View the article here >

More information on this project >

Grange Loan has been awarded a commendation in the Alterations, Renovation and Extension category of the Saltire Society Housing Awards.

Our recently completed project at Grange Loan has recieved a commendation at the Saltire Awards.

We are delighted that our project at Grange Loan, Edinburgh has been nominated for a Saltire Society Housing Design Award, in the  category for alterations, renovations and extensions.

Winners will announced by the Minister for Housing and Welfare, Margaret Burgess MSP, at the Awards ceremony on Monday 9th September.  The chair of this year's judging panel is the broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.

Edinburgh based Helen Lucas Architects have produced a computer model of a proposal in the London Borough of Richmond. A series of small additions are proposed to a Grade II Listed house.

The priorities are to increase the natural light and flow of spaces in this historic property that was badly bombed during the war. The high quality materials specified can be seen in this computer generated image produced at HLA. Painted brickwork, zinc roofing and large areas of glazing continue the palette and details established by the main house.

Helen Lucas Architects are able to produce computer generated or physical cardboardmodels as a design tool or representation of a proposed scheme for their clients.

Other model photos and renderings can be found by filtering news stories by computer model and model

A listed building in The Grange area of Edinburgh has been restored.  Helen Lucas Architects have completed the re-instatement of a villa in Greenhill Gardens which had been split into upper and lower dwellings in the 1930s. A new staircase to re-connect the house a contemporary garden room and garage extensions complement the historic villa.