Buccleuch Place Meadow Lane
The Buccleuch Place & Meadow Lane student accommodation project involved the conversion and refurbishment of two grade B-listed tenement blocks and the construction of four new build accommodation blocks in the city’s Southside conservation area for the University of Edinburgh.
Location: Edinburgh
Client: University of Edinburgh
Cost: £21m
Completion: 2018
The project was designed to deliver post-graduate student accommodation across thirteen refurbished Grade ‘B’ listed Georgian townhouses. The two blocks fronting Buccleuch Place were originally built in the 1780’s as housing but had been in use as University office space prior to the development. Brownfield land behind the townhouses has been developed to provide purpose-built student accommodation, forming a new built edge to Meadow Lane.
The arrangement allowed the Architects to create a series of courtyard gardens in the heart of the site for students to use and enjoy. Within this space is an energy centre connected to the University CHP plant.
To accommodate the construction of the four new build accommodation blocks at Meadow Lane, the site there will be cleared and converted into a further 138 bedrooms within 22 cluster flats.
Key challenges
Sustainability features include the retention and re-use of many of the existing traditional materials such as sandstone walls and slate roofing. Wild-planted beds and bio diverse green roofs will improve the ecological balance of the area, aid acoustic insulation and privacy.
Water management improvements achieved through a SUDS system using below ground filter trenches.
We also achieved approval from the City of Edinburgh Council to change Buccleuch Place Lane to a pedestrianised zone should any further project changes occur.
In addition to the new build on Meadow Lane, there was a gap in the larger scale frontage to Buccleuch Street. Here we extend the tenement nature of Buccleuch Street, stepping the height of the development down along Meadow Lane to echo the height of the existing context.
Results
The project has delivered a stunning new facility for the University of Edinburgh, whilst bringing life into the existing tenement through refurbishment alongside a fantastic new build which looks like it has been in place for many years.