PROJECT 2.

Leith, Edinburgh

2024

Group Project

The studio is situated in Leith, Edinburgh, and centers around a series of precedent studies that inform the live-build project, which will be constructed within the grounds of Cables Wynd House – a ten-storey, Category A-listed tower block from the 1960s. The primary objectives are to develop a deeper understanding of low-carbon construction techniques, material assemblies, and a collaborative approach to design. The course emphasises the opportunity to develop a major design project based upon exploratory and creative work.

Project 599 is a community-designed seating structure located at the south end of Cables Wynd House, nestled between two trees on a leafy square overlooking the basketball court.

Developed in collaboration with local residents, the project transforms a previously underused corner of the square into a vibrant gathering space. A series of stepped timber platforms – designed for both play and rest – offer varied seating options tailored to people of all ages, from young chil- dren to parents and teenagers. Each platform takes the form of a trap- ezoidal module, arranged in a radial layout inspired by the curve of the adjacent fence, itself a subtle echo of the iconic ‘banana flats’ footprint.

The platforms follow the arc of the fence, creating framed views toward Cables Wynd House and down to the Shore. Constructed from pre- fabricated timber, the platforms are supported by posts with adjustable feet, allowing them to sit level on the uneven cobbled surface. Re- claimed climbing rope is intricately woven around the structures to form seats and backrests, and extends into the surrounding trees and fences to emphasize key sightlines and pathways.

The name of the project is a nod to the core design constraint: a ref- erence to the 600mm threshold in Scottish and English build- ing regulations, above which a handrail becomes a legal requirement.