Strada, North Fettes
Completed: 2008
Client: Strads Developments Ltd
Budget: £55m
Regeneration and development of large brownfield site formerly occupied by the VA Tech transformers manufacturing works. Extending to an overall site area of 17 acres and accommodating 650 dwellings.
The layout is conceived in 2 distinct elements, with the majority of the flatted apartments located in 5-8 storey blocks in the western half of the site adjacent to the main route in an orthogonal grid arrangement. The eastern half of the site is given over to more than 100 townhouses which are organised into short terraces laid out at right angles to the central access route. The justification of this move is to reflect the spirit of the ‘colonies’ model of accommodation which is traditional to Edinburgh and create an alternating pattern of parking courts and car free semi-public green spaces.
The junction of these conflicting geometries is identified as the main focus of the site which is emphasised by the introduction of the main green space and the landmark tower block.
