Calum Duncan Architects

Shining in the early evening light, but there sure are some awkward corners in Wester Hailes. I cycled from central Edinburgh, attempting to meander through Sighthill, and was struck by both geography and the urban design (both roads and paths). 1. I hadn’t quite realised how much higher Wester Hailes is compared to Sighthill. It appears like a hill top town as approached from the North. 2.The main A roads around Wester Hailes are somewhat like a moat around this hill fort. It is very nearly impenetrable cycling or walking from Sighthill into WH. 3. In the details (as this example), the twists and turns around the existing housing is far from the organic pattern you might find in the medieval old town for example. Difficult to be social or friendly in these kind of nooks. I then led a consultation event with some locals around the Greenway. That was a hoot!

I am very pleased to share that I am now a Certified Passive House Designer. It is a relief to know that the 4kg of course work manuals won't be going to waste, but I will need to maintain the headspace in which, hopefully, a decent amount of this information has been crammed.

I feel it is worth sharing that the course involved 4 weeks of half days online, including the subjects of: Introduction, Science for Passive House, Construction, Building Services and using the PPHP Software. Following a pause for revision and tutorials, there is a 3-hour online exam including around 20 questions with a large amount of hand written calculations, some multiple choice and a house design question.

I absolutely loved the simple act of learning. Not teaching, not managing, designing, co-ordinating, but listening and learning. I learnt SO much! And I am not shy to say I was a Passive House cynic at the outset, and I still feel we must not confuse ourselves by thinking we can reduce carbon by building more new stuff, but what I value most from the course and certification, is understanding how the Passive House process can be used as a methodology. Whether the Passive House criteria is achieved, and whether it is certified through the Passivhaus Institute, it is the principles of how, for example, we can make a 4-bed family home with an annual running cost of £150, or a local community space which has minimal building running costs. This is incredibly valuable and not to be dismissed. Why wouldn't you?

So of course, I would be pleased to hear from anyone who is interesting in discussing the use of the Passive House methodology on a private or public related project. I am also more than happy to continue the discussion on the background to Passive House and how it may be used in Scotland, or just answer some simple questions about how it works and what is involved.

Broomieknowe by . Photo credit . With

We have some completed images to share for our Broomieknowe Golf Clubhouse project on our website soon. Thanks Will Scott Photography

I’m speaking architecture/local/improvements/practical/change/climate emergency

Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative on Twitter “📢 EVENT! Home Energy/Retrofit Meeting. How to make our homes more energy efficient? 7-9pm, Mon 20/06 3 experts talk, Q&A, discuss. Domestic/building level ? LA support? Bruntsfield Evn Church hall. Door on Westhall Gdns. https://t.co/DhEBpggAXS”

Site visit to a residential alteration in Edinburgh. The skeleton of a new living space will connect with an existing outbuilding.

Working on existing alterations and projects are just the best! Your mind is not solely consumed by the new, but its so interesting to become a friend to the existing construction, while considering how best to work in this context. At the same time, watching a new structure grow from this is increasingly satisfying.

Play Street

Instigated by some imaginative locals, we closed a junction in Marchmont for the morning. This vast wasteland of junction at the heart of a dense residential neighbourhood, and superb views of Edinburgh Castle, spends most of its time empty and waiting for the trickle of vehicles. But this Saturday morning it was reeking with people, all playing, but not all youngsters. And I’m still reeling! This simple thing is such a joyful thing. Part of this event was to test a proposed alteration to the junction, making crossing safer. And in-line with the Councils traffic road order requirements, we were asked to wash the chalk markings and drawings afterwards. Did the adults do it? Not a chance!









bauer.18

Sometimes you just have to take what comes. About to post my last midterm hols pic, and wham, the covid kicks in - a treasured gift from young Frida. The next two days were horizontal, like it or not, and nearly a week later - still not completely vertical.

But when you’re horizontal you see things a little different. An afternoon in isolation watching The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with the gang. From Frida's eagle's nest, we later chat about Walter's character. Walter is ridiculed for his ability to daydream, frequently zoning out of conversations. Early on in the film, Frida remarks, "He has a big imagination!". I love this awarness and understanding of daydreaming as being a positive attribute, especially for an adult, showing creativity and freedom to think beyond our often narrow idea of what's possible.

Scottish Grampian vernacular in the Caledonian woodlands.

Time for some FRESH air.

Goodness me, it feels like so much has happened already and the year is but a bairn. Much to look forward to. More on this to come, but scale must not be everything. Projects such as these Arran huts ought to be treasured and enjoyed.

The location for our Arran huts means that from day one we are thinking about material choice and construction methods. The final access is by foot only, and construction will require all terrain vehicles. So local sourcing and material size is important. In many ways this only encourages you in the direction of minimising embodied energy overall and using simple construction methods.

Get your woollens on and pull up a chair by the fire, with a wee glass of something warm. We have planning approved for a pair of recreational huts on Arran.

Fife Farmhouse morning external view

Our Farmhouse alteration in Fife is fairly extensive in making changes to the arrangement of the public areas as well as these spaces connection with the south facing garden areas, and views to the Lomond Hills beyond. The works improve the insulated envelope of this existing farmhouse and overall, it was not a simple project to undertake, but it now has that feeling that everything just makes a lot more sense as well as being more joyful in character and light.










Russwood

Reflections of a recently completed Farmhouse alteration in the beautiful Kingdom of Fife. Photo credit

granddesigns

Internally, the flow of the space has been simplified opening up the living Room to the new dining space and enjoying the garden outlook beyond.
A restrained palette was used internally to give a calm uncluttered feel to the new spaces, with pops of colour in the fittings and tiles.

We have some new photographs of one of our residential projects in Edinburgh. Returning to this project with the garden starting to befriend the new extension, it is absolutely lovely to spend time in the spaces, inside and out. Aside from a little indecision on the climbers, which will cuddle the cedar trellis, the living dining and garden spaces really are starting to feel properly intertwined.

‘A 1960’s detached house has been altered to make a more playful and functional family home. Removing a porch and conservatory allowed for a modern extension, providing space for a flexible kitchen - dining space opening onto a west facing rear garden. A large picture window to the north elevation frames the elevated views across the city skyline and Arthur’s Seat’.

Community working/ learning/ meeting/ collaborating/ growing/ cooking/ eating space. Site testings for .

Leading from our previous post, we are pleased to be investigating ideas for a community hub and workspace in Edinburgh for

Sometimes the simplest of solutions can be the most rewarding. This proposal for a local residents association in Edinburgh didn’t come to fruition in the end, but well received and an example where the thinking process in itself can be fruitful in considering appropriate sustainable and cost effective responses to the spectrum of community needs. We also reflect on our own values for how we approach similar design proposals in the future for local community projects.

There is nothing like appreciating a joyfully conceived building first hand. It is always lovely when a place away from home feels familiar and comfortable.

have made a space which ticks so many boxes for me. Sitting inside but with one leg always stepping outside. It is the garden walls which define the space overall, and so the sliding doors don’t feel like a separator, but they are there to be adjusted to suit the moment and need.

A truly wonderful example to show how care for detail and material has so much more value than the size of a space.

Another fleeting glance at an urban residential project in London. This time a tight wee spot where a rather wonderful gem of a project plays with an end condition at the step in the street line. The main street elevation is largely protective, then I love how this end elevation carves out some green space and brings a connection the outside and view beyond. I want to peek inside. Crafty stuff by .

Studio House by . Slight debate about the intended use, and sure enough it is described as intentionally ambiguous. Somewhere between house and industrial unit. Two apartments and studio space. It is still looking pretty sharp and the contrasting flush and recessed window detailing brings the slender elevation alive for the passer by from the street.

REPOST NEWS: Now we have our shiny new website, it’s time to highlight the first episode in our new podcast series! Episode 01 is a conversation between Jaaziel Kajoba, a second year architecture student at ESALA, and Julie Oti from . Jaaziel is interested in how Ash Sakula Architects design housing, and in this conversation he asks what it means for architecture to be ‘open.’