Ossian Architects

Ossian Architects seek to create beautiful, sustainable, long-lasting architecture that works well for all.

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

Work-in-progress design for the remodelling and extension of a Victorian hunting lodge on an estate within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Our approach retains the character and charm of the existing house, introducing a new wing that is designed to sit comfortably in the landscape and make the most of long views across the gardens, surrounding hills and adjacent loch.

The proposal follows a fabric-first strategy, using natural materials and careful detailing to reduce environmental impact. Large areas of glazing bring in natural light while framing key views, and the plan is arranged to connect interior spaces with the surrounding terraces, planting, and woodland.

Working in a National Park brings both responsibility and opportunity – our design is shaped by the setting, responding to local materials, forms and heritage, while meeting contemporary needs for comfort, energy performance, and adaptability.

We’re excited to share more as the design develops.

@ossianarch

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We’re currently working on two projects on the Promenade in Portobello, starting on site in spring, and have been using the opportunity to research its architectural history.

A small village began to appear in the area in the mid-1700s, around a house built by a seaman called George Hamilton, who had served under Admiral Edward Vernon in the capture of Puerto Bello, Panama, in 1739, and he named the cottage Portobello Hut in honour of the victory, giving the area its name.

Portobello gradually grew into a bathing and holiday destination, and in the mid-1800s, Portobello Town Council began to build the Promenade, securing public access to the beach along its two mile length. The opening of the railway station in 1832, and its connection to the North British Railway Main Line in 1846, greatly increased the number of visitors to the area.

Alongside its growth as a leisure destination, Portobello also became industrialised in the 1800s and 1900s, with extensive good railways, brickworks, glassworks, pottery, soap, mustard, paper and salt production within the area.

Portobello Pier opened in 1871 to a design by Sir Thomas Bouch, offering steamer trips and a grand pavilion with tea room, camera obscura and concert hall. The pier was demolished in 1917 following storm damage and rusting to its iron frame.

Another notable attraction to Portobello was Fun City, the funfair founded in 1907 by the Codonas, the famous Italian circus family. Fun City was the first permanent funfair in Scotland, with a spectacular timber rollercoaster called the ‘Figure Eight’. Fun City closed in 1998 and the land is now occupied by the Harbour Green apartments, and this summer the 'Neighbourgood Beach' pop-up.

Looking forward to sharing more about our projects in Portobello soon.

@ossianarch

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Images c. Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland, Edinburgh City Archives, Margeorie Mekie

#edinburgh #portobello #history #seaside #beach #funfair #pier #scotland #architect

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

Early stages sketch design for the reinvigoration of an existing house in the hills above Loulé in the Algarve.

The existing house is to be sympathetically remodelled, with a new living and dining space created at first floor level, looking over the surrounding hills and valleys and out to the Atlantic Ocean. An existing terrace is refurbished and extended to provide an outside dining space, with clay tiles running continuously from inside to outside.

The house is to be refurbished with local natural materials, including clay tiles, clay plaster and new oak rafters and wall panelling. A new perforated corten brise soleil is designed to protect the house from unwanted solar gain in the summer months.

New mechanical and electrical systems are proposed throughout, including well-source water, ground source cooling, photovoltaics and battery storage.

The house is part of a wider project on an existing rural estate which includes the refurbishment of a number of houses and outdoor spaces, and the addition of a new house and swimming pool.

@ossianarch

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#architecture #interiors #landscape #design #sustainability #conservation #reuse #restoration #refurbishment #remodelling #portugal #loule #algarve #finca #estate

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are pleased to have received Planning Permission for our residential refurbishment and extension project in Bearsden.

The project involves the remodelling and refurbishment of a 1980s arts and crafts villa in the Bearsden Conservation Area, to improve quality of space, layout, flow and materiality throughout.

The house is being substantially enlarged, with the existing double garage being converted into a master bedroom suite, and new garage extension sympathetically added to the side of the house.

The building’s energy performance is being comprehensively upgraded, with new high-performance double glazed windows, doors and rooflights, additional insulation added at floor and roof level, and a new high efficiency heating and hot water system installed.

A simple palette of natural materials is proposed, including douglas fir flooring and new oak cabinetry, dressing table and kitchen.

The house has a number of sculptural pieces by the acclaimed Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay, both on the building and in the grounds, which are being preserved and celebrated as part of the project.

Looking forward to starting on site with this project in the coming months.

@ossianarch
@SFStructuresLtd

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#architecture #design #architect #architects #refurbishment #remodelling #scotland #edinburgh #timber #glasgow #bearsden #renewables #energy #conservation #ossianarchitects

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We had a great day out at the Buccleuch Challenge on Friday.

We were blessed with glorious sunshine as we spent six hours mountain biking, running, orienteering and doing surprise activities around the Drumlanrig Castle estate along with the other 80 teams.

Congrats to Ironside Farrar, CBRE, Native Land, Northumberland Estates, Scarlett Land and Development, JM Architects, TFT, Womble Bond Dickinson, Naylors Gavin Black and Buccleuch Estates for their medal winning placings in the various categories.

This year the Buccleuch Challenge is supporting Chris’s House, who do vital work providing centres in Wishaw and Dalkeith for help, response and intervention surrounding suicide.

You can still support Chris’s House by donating to the fundraiser:

https://t.co/7JOkhrQIAS

Looking forward to next year!

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@ossianarch
@narroassociates
@BuccPropChall
@BlueSkyExper
@HouseChriss

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#risetothechallenge #BPC2024 #buccleuchpropertychallenge #buccleuch #blueskyexperiences #drumlanrigcastle #buccleuchproperty

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are really looking forward to taking part in the Buccleuch Challenge on Friday.

The challenge involves six hours of mountain biking, running, orienteering and surprise activities, in the beautiful grounds of Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway.

This year the Buccleuch Challenge is supporting Chris’s House, who do vital work providing centres in Wishaw and Dalkeith for help, response and intervention surrounding suicide.

You can support Chris’s House by donating to the fundraiser:

https://t.co/7JOkhrQIAS

Good luck to all of the teams competing on Friday!

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@ossianarch
@narroassociates
@BuccPropChall
@BlueSkyExper
@HouseChriss

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#risetothechallenge #BPC2024 #buccleuchpropertychallenge #buccleuch #blueskyexperiences #drumlanrigcastle #buccleuchproperty

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are pleased to have received Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for our Category A-listed Georgian townhouse project in Stockbridge.

The project involves comprehensively remodelling the lower ground floor of the existing townhouse to create a modern open-plan kitchen, living and dining space.

This space opens out on to a reimagined garden space with a sunken courtyard and new timber framed structures which provide sheltered areas to sit outside and enjoy the garden.

The energy performance of the lower ground floor of the townhouse is being extensively upgraded, with new insulated ground bearing slab, underfloor heating, and slimline heritage double glazing to the doors and sash and case windows.

Natural materials are proposed throughout, including limestone floors, clay plasters, light oak linings to the interior, and douglas fir structures to the exteriors.

Looking forward to starting on site with this project in the coming months.

@ossianarch
@machughesltd

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#architecture #design #architect #architects #refurbishment #scotland #edinburgh #garden #timber #stone #steel #newtown #stockbridge #ossianarchitects

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are pleased to have submitted Building Warrant for our Georgian farmhouse project in the Scottish Borders.

The project involves a comprehensive refurbishment of the existing farmhouse, which is located in the Cheviot Hills, with new extension and garden building.

The extension captures the panoramic views of the surrounding foothills while also creating new outdoor seating areas below oversailing roofs and within a new sheltered courtyard to the rear of the house.

A new garden building is proposed, incorporating potting shed, outside store and double garage, designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding agricultural buildings.

The existing Georgian house is to be comprehensively refurbished, with existing period doors, shutters, architraves and skirtings stripped back and redecorated, and sympathetic alterations made to suit a modern way of living.

The entire project is designed with sustainability in mind, with integrated solar panels on the garden building roof, a new air source heat pump, new insulation added to walls, floors and roofs, and natural materials used throughout.

Looking forward to starting on site with this project in the coming months.

@ossianarch

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are pleased to have received Building Warrant approval for our Co-working Development on Queen Street in central Edinburgh.

The project involves the comprehensive refurbishment of an existing Category A listed townhouse office to create a variety of spaces to suit both focused and collaborative work.

The fabric of the building is being upgraded to reduce the building’s operational energy use, and electrical, comms and mechanical systems upgraded to contemporary office standards.

The proposed material palette is being kept simple, with hardwearing natural materials and finishes chosen to be sympathetic to the existing Category A listed building.

Looking forward to starting on site with this project in the coming months.

@ossianarch

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#architecture #interiors #design #sustainability #conservation #scotland #edinburgh #office #coworking #flexibleworking #queenstreet #newtown #ossian #ossianarchitects

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

Alfeição New House

A new house in the hills above Loulé in the Algarve.

The house is designed to sit within a hollow in the landscape, bedding it down within its site. A large overhanging roof extends out beyond the house to provide shelter from the summer sun.

The house is built from local natural materials, including Portuguese limestone, clay tiles and clay plaster, with an overhanging soffit lined in oak. A copper roof shelters the house from intermittent rainfall.

Large metal framed windows capture views of the surrounding valleys and hills and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

A terrace of clay tiles steps down into the landscape, providing an easy flow from inside to outside. A swimming pool is formed on an additional terrace, stepping down the hillside.

New mechanical and electrical systems are proposed throughout, including a new ground source water supply, ground source cooling, photovoltaics and battery storage.

The project is part of a wider remodelling of an estate in Alfeição, including a number of houses and interconnecting outside spaces.

Looking forward to developing this project further and sharing more about it over the coming weeks.

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

Alfeição Estate

Reinvigorating a rural estate in the hills above Loulé in the Algarve.

The existing estate includes several ruined houses, which are to be sympathetically refurbished and brought back to life.

An additional new house is to be created on a plateau below the existing dwellings, designed as a modern addition to the historic estate.

A new swimming pool is to be formed on a plateau below the new house, for use by all the houses on the estate.

All of the houses are designed to maximise views over the surrounding hills and valleys and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Natural materials are used throughout, including clay tiles, clay plaster, oak timber and copper.

An existing series of outdoor spaces is refurbished and extended to provide a series of terraces which step down the hillside, providing amenity and connecting the houses.

New mechanical and electrical systems are proposed throughout, including well-source water, ground source cooling, photovoltaics and battery storage.

@ossianarch

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#architecture #interiors #landscape #design #sustainability #conservation #reuse #restoration #refurbishment #remodelling #newbuild #newhouse #portugal #loule #algarve #hillside #views #finca #estate #loule

[Ossian Architects @ossianarch]

We are beginning work on a project a stone’s throw from Murrayfield Stadium and have been using the opportunity to research its architectural history.

The 19 acres for the stadium was purchased from Edinburgh Polo Club in the early 1920s, funded by debentures, following which a stand and three embankments were built, taking two years.

The stadium officially opened on 21stApril 1925, with 70,000 watching Scotland beat England to win their first Five Nations Championship Grand Slam.

In the 1930s, two wings were added to the 1920s west stand, increasing the seating capacity to over 15,000, with the rest of the terraces remaining until an east stand was added in the 1980s.

During the Second World War, the ground was used as a supply depot by the Royal Army Service Corps, with a full return for international rugby to Murrayfield after derequisition in 1944.

Like most sporting venues of the time, Murrayfield originally operated on come-one, come-all policy at the turnstiles, leading to a world-record crowd of 104,000 to see Scotland beat Wales in 1975.

The current iteration of the stadium was built in two phases in the 1990s, with its distinctive superstructure and c. 50m cantilever roofs, designed by the Millar Partnership.

Looking forward to sharing more about our project in Murrayfield soon.

@ossianarch

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Images c. Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland, Edinburgh City Archives

#architecture #edinburgh #murrayfield #stadium #scotland #rugby #history #historic #research