MDA Studio LLP - Edinburgh Architect

✨Exciting News from MDA Studio!✨

I am thrilled to share that MDA Studio has been nominated for not one, but two awards in the Scottish Home Improvements Awards 2024. I am honoured to be a contender for both **Best Architect** and **Best Architectural Practice**. It has been a lovely surprise for this email to come through on a Friday afternoon.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for MDA Studio. Running a small business has been challenging over the last few years and it’s lovely to get some recognition in what is a highly competitive market.

Good luck to all the other finalists! Roll on September

Thank you!

Delighted to have submitted the planning application for a new community hub for in Spylaw Park, Colinton. Pre application discussions with the planning department went well so hoping for a positive planning decision over the next few months.

Plans for the new hub at Spylaw Park. https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/edinburgh-park-to-get-new-community-hub-as-plans-submitted-for-ps670000-building-extension-4691517?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Bv1xbJMX8-OVB05aAkjZ-3abWUhESo4fLU9AE4ndaheaVQNjL2McIChA_aem_Ebw56MrV7ptGALIGbTA0rg

Over the last few days I have had a lot of enquires about a site for sale in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The site is on the market at offers over £45k and because I worked on a new build next door people are getting in touch to discuss the potential of the new site. The price is also attractive! The site is in a woodland area in a lovely setting but is in a tree preservation order (TPO) area. The site I worked on next door was a former car park for a hotel and did not have a TPO. We had to take care with our building location so as not to disturb the tree roots of the plot currently for sale. It is always worthwhile getting in touch with an Architect to discuss a potential project / purchase and what pitfalls there may be. Hit the Book Now button if you are wanting to discuss a project or get information on a property before purchasing.

A snapshot of a completed project. More photos to follow. This project was the complete refurbishment to a large 12 bedroom property in South Edinburgh into a stunning family home.

Selecting the plywood lining and flooring for the garden office yesterday. The plywood is a standard plywood finish but for reasons unknown it looks a lot better and lighter in colour than standard plywood. Flooring will remain undecided until I install the plywood lining and treat it with a Matt finish Osmo Oil.

A project in Edinburghs New Town completed a few years ago. A change if use from office to residential with a contemporary extension accessed off a mews behind.

An amazing transformation to this property in Merchiston, Edinburgh.

A recently completed extension and garden room to a property in the Merchiston Conservation Area, Edinburgh.

What an amazing few days in Holland. Haarlem was a fantastic city to see and some great homes to look at along the canals. Topped off with a visit to the International Scout Jamboree and visiting our son who was taking part. He was having a great time but feel his return on Tuesday followed by starting High School on Wednesday will mean one tired boy at the end of this week.

Delighted with the space being created by this new extension in Fairmilehead, Edinburgh. At the time of appointment the client wanted something different (and no flat roofs) and this has been achieved with this design. The roof profile has been designed using sun path studies to make sure the extension doesn’t impact on the sunlight in the garden. The new bedroom has a projecting bay window with feature bath framing views of the forth rail bridge. 2 months to completion.

A new dwelling house in the South of Edinburgh has commenced on site. Looking forward to seeing this one completed. From ICF structure to exposed glulam beams and sculpture spiral staircase. This one has taken time at detailed design stage. This was a complicated site surrounding by trees and many of the trees at the back of the site protected.

A recently completed house extension to a Robert Lorimer Listed Property in the Colinton Conservation Area. The project required extensive and lengthy discussions with the planning department in order to secure approval. The end result is a fantastic open plan living space providing direct access to the patio and tiered garden

For any one who is interested and local, the Bonaly Primary School Summer Fair is taking place on Saturday 3rd June from 12 - 2pm. QR code for the school raffle also attached.

Some 3D concept design work for a new project in Edinburgh.

A busy day yesterday with 3 site inspections around Edinburgh. All 3 progressing well. Had to use the car as Bike was in for maintenance. Driving through Edinburgh is slow compared with the bike.

The new addition to our family has certainly settled in well over the last 2 months. Some folk have said we are mad and I would probably agree but this little fella has actually calmed things down. Total opposite to what we thought would happen and lovely having the company during the day. His new cave bed is absolutely awesome! I want one

Site visit in Blackhall this lovely sunny morning. Good progress being made.

Bank Holiday weekend exploring Findhorn and the surrounding area. Lovely time with friends and family. Even managed a round of golf at Cabot Highlands.

A few before and after photos to a top floor apartment in Haymarket, Edinburgh. The flat was purchased by my client in the burnt out condition and I was appointed to undertake a full refurbishment and reconfiguration of the apartment.

This has been a busy week. Yesterday was the last day in the Morningside office as I have now moved the practice home. It has been quite a job moving everything but glad it is all done. It was a fantastic office space and I loved being there for the last 3 years. Amanda, Ross and I had some great times working there. It was also rubbish when it lay empty for months on end! Last summer I took the decision to take on less work in order to be at home more for my family. It was the correct decision and things are now starting to balance out. I have some lovely projects (with lovely people) on the drawing board and look forward to sharing them over the next year or two. I will be having a glass of wine tonight looking forward to what is ahead. Have a good weekend. David.

A rather nice frameless ridge skylight to a small house extension. Not the easiest thing we have done but the light transforms the space.

Before and after photos of a project in South Edinburgh. Complete renovation to an existing untouched 1930’s 2 bed bungalow to create a new 5 bed family home. A really stunning house transformation that has been a pleasure to be involved with.

Open minds lead to open doors.

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Collaborating with Rollo Developments and MDA Studio LLP - Edinburgh Architects

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A kitchen with a view 🤩 This project utilised an existing 1970’s extension to transform the rear of the house and provide stunning views of Edinburgh.

A lovely end result. A little to the right and the views out over Edinburgh are spectacular. No extension work in this project but you don’t always need an extension to make a space work better.

Beauty is the harmony of purpose and form and this recently completed kitchen is the epitome of this.

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Collaborating with Rollo Developments and MDA Studio LLP - Edinburgh Architects

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This is going to be a living space and a half once completed. Been a long time in the making due to builder issues but lovely to see the windows and doors fitted to get a true feeling for the space and the views out from all levels

3D view of an extension recently approved by Edinburgh Council planning

A major house renovation to a property on Cluny Drive, Edinburgh. Completed a few months back. Now a stunning family home from what was an untouched house for over 50 years.

To say the last few months have been hectic would be an understatement and we have not had time to post anything on social media. The rise in build costs and the limited builders available have made things more challenging. We have been out on site the last few days visiting projects under construction and a few completed. More exciting projects completed over the next few months.

Merry Christmas 🎅 🤶 🎄 and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Our Son has summed up Christmas in our house this year.

Eat, drink and be Merry and reach out to the friends who may need someone to talk to today.

Merry Christmas from all at MDA Studio