Apartment Reconfiguration on Cockburn Street, Edinburgh

Historic building adaptation Edinburgh

This apartment reconfiguration on Cockburn Street in Edinburgh reimagines a double-storey family flat in the Old Town.

Biomorphis reconfigured the home to create two independent flats, each with its own kitchen and living spaces, while preserving the ability to function as a single family house.

The design introduces flexibility. It allows parents and children to live independently, yet remain closely connected.

Context

Cockburn Street sits within Edinburgh’s historic core. The setting demanded a careful and respectful approach. The project needed to balance contemporary living with the character of the Old Town.

The existing building offered generous volume but limited adaptability. The redesign focused on unlocking this potential without compromising the integrity of the structure.

Spatial Strategy

The intervention divides the property vertically. Each level now operates as a self-contained flat, complete with its own servicing spaces. At the same time, the layout allows the two units to reconnect easily when used as one home.

This dual-use strategy supports changing family needs over time. It also adds long-term resilience to the property.

Loft Extension

The upper apartment extends onto an adjacent rooftop. This intervention creates a generous loft space filled with light and framed views across the city. The new volume expands the living area while remaining discreet within the surrounding roofscape.

Careful detailing ensures the extension reads as a natural evolution of the building rather than an addition.

Living Together, Living Apart

While the flats function independently, the project preserves a strong sense of unity. Circulation routes and shared relationships between spaces reinforce the idea of one family home.

The result offers choice. The house can adapt as children grow, as working patterns change, or as privacy becomes more important.

Outcome

This apartment reconfiguration on Cockburn Street project delivers a flexible, future-ready home within a sensitive historic setting. It demonstrates how careful architectural reconfiguration can support contemporary family life while respecting Edinburgh’s built heritage.

Old Town apartment renovation Edinburgh
Upper level
Loft extension Edinburgh Old Town
Lower Level
Family apartment reconfiguration
Full configuration

Heritage & Planning Context

Residential Design & Adaptation

Local Context