Biomorphis is leading a comprehensive renovation and attic conversion at a family home on Briarbank Terrace in South Edinburgh.
Originally a modest two-bedroom property, the project reimagines the house to accommodate a growing family, creating three additional bedrooms and an additional bathroom within the newly activated attic space.
The renovation also introduces a new stair, a dormer, and carefully positioned rooflights, which together increase natural light, improve circulation, and enhance the home’s overall spatial quality. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can unlock hidden potential in historic Edinburgh homes while respecting the building’s character and neighbourhood context.
Design Approach
The project focuses on functional spatial expansion and light optimisation. By converting the previously unused attic into additional living accommodation, the design maximises the property’s footprint without altering its external street presence. The new stair carefully integrates the attic with the existing home, creating a cohesive circulation pattern that improves both accessibility and daily functionality.
Rooflights and a new dormer bring daylight deep into the attic and adjacent spaces, ensuring the rooms feel bright, airy, and welcoming. The design also considers privacy, views, and neighbourly context, maintaining the residential streetscape while enhancing the home’s internal experience.
Interior Transformation
Internally, the renovation reconfigures existing spaces to improve flow, usability, and comfort. The new bathroom and bedrooms are designed with both practicality and aesthetic quality in mind, ensuring every space works as part of a unified whole. This careful attention to detail transforms the original two-bedroom house into a fully functional family home, suitable for modern living.
Outcome
Although still in progress, the Briarbank Terrace project demonstrates how strategic attic conversion and full-house renovation can transform a modest home into a spacious, flexible, and light-filled residence. The integration of new bedrooms, bathroom, dormer, and rooflights creates a harmonious blend of historic character and contemporary comfort. The project illustrates how architectural design, spatial intelligence, and modern interventions can unlock hidden potential in existing homes, delivering a family-friendly environment that enhances both everyday life and property value. Through careful planning and design, the renovation ensures that every detail — from circulation to daylight to finishes — contributes to a cohesive, functional, and elegant home
Edinburgh Design Guidance – this should be used for the planning and design of new development proposals and for street design.
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