Gracemount
Working in partnership with Gracemount Mansion Development Trust, Transition Edinburgh South we have developed a community led masterplan In South Edinburgh.
The grade II listed Mansion and its walled garden are what remains of a larger agricultural estate which was sequentially developed during the 20th century into a large area of affordable housing. Today the site is noted as an area of deprivation accommodating some of the most vulnerable communities. Despite this the area has a strong identity and sense of community spirit. The mansion house was used as a youth centre prior to its closure in 2019, its grounds are extensively used as an informal greenspace by local residents.
The project has benefited Scottish Land Funds and funding from various heritage bodies such as a HLF and AHF. MCA have supported the project through consultation, masterplan and design development of the building, stables and grounds, business plan development, stakeholder engagement and funding applications.
The architectural approach involves a series of surgical modern interventions alongside the careful conservation and restoration of the building. The proposals aim to celebrate the idiosyncratic qualities of the existing building, and unlock efficient forms of circulation, facilitate universal access. The basement area is opened to the landscape via a new foyer with visual links to a bee catering school, and maker spaces.
The ground floor incorporates new flexible gallery and event’s spaces in addition to a new glazed winter garden overlooking the walled garden and growing area.
A new roof extension and internal fit out will form lettable spaces for creative enterprises and artists to support the business plan.
The former stables will have a new low cost intervention slotted into the stone walls of the existing ruin to support a growing project and a space for outdoor food markets. The restoration of the existing glasshouses is a later phase that will transform the use of the outdoor areqs
