Joppa Cottage
Internal Alterations, Sustainable Upgrade, Fabric Repairs
Private
Joppa, Portobello, Edinburgh
Residential
Service
Client
Location
Project Background
This cottage sits at the end of a row of terraced workers cottages built in the early 19th Century to serve the growing pottery, glass, white lead, brick and soap industries of Portobello. The building had been altered over time with the kitchen located at first floor, poor access into the garden and a series of awkward extensions.
Client’s Brief and Our Approach
Our client wanted to move the kitchen back to the ground floor, improve access to the garden and rationalise the spaces.
We proposed opening up the rear of the property and taking the extension the full width of the house. By doing this a generous and cosy family space was created with snug, dining area and kitchen in one space that opens up into the back garden.
Full height glazing is framed by a Douglas fir timber frame, sourced from Melrose in the Scottish Borders and floods the space with natural daylight. The exposed timber gives the space warmth and character and provides a contrast to the painted kitchen.
Moving the kitchen downstairs provided additional space at first floor that was converted into a work-from-home office space. The opportunity was also taken to insulate the underside of the slate roof, improving the performance of the roof thermally and reducing energy demand.
The Result
The result is a flexible and practical space that uses natural materials to create a sympathetic, warm and elegant addition to this home.
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Sketch of the new kitchen
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Dining area
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Detail of the timber frame
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Model of improvements
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A cosy corner of the extension
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Exterior of the Douglas fir extension
