Dundas Street apartment renovation, located in a 19th-century building in the New Town Edinburgh. The design creates an elegant contrast between the historic shell and the contemporary interior.
Project Overview
This apartment renovation sits within a 19th-century building in Edinburgh’s New Town. The project reworks the interior while respecting the character of the historic shell.
Rather than mimic the original fabric, the design introduces a calm and contemporary language. As a result, old and new exist side by side in clear contrast.
Context & Heritage
The New Town is defined by proportion, rhythm, and material consistency. Therefore, the intervention treats the existing structure with care.
Original walls, openings, and ceiling heights remain legible. Meanwhile, the new work reads as a distinct layer inserted within the historic envelope.
Design Approach
The design focuses on clarity and restraint. Clean lines, precise junctions, and simple geometries guide the layout.
Circulation becomes more fluid. Spaces connect visually. However, each room keeps its own identity. This balance supports everyday living without compromising architectural coherence.

Material Strategy
A limited palette reinforces the dialogue between past and present. Contemporary finishes sit against the textured surfaces of the original building.
Subtle contrasts in tone and texture define thresholds. Consequently, the apartment feels both refined and grounded in its context.
Light & Atmosphere
Natural light plays a central role. Existing window openings frame views across Dundas Street while drawing daylight deep into the plan.
As the light changes throughout the day, it animates both historic surfaces and modern interventions. The apartment gains warmth and depth as a result.

Outcome
The renovation delivers a quietly confident interior. It respects the heritage of the New Town while supporting modern patterns of living.
Ultimately, the project demonstrates how contemporary design can enhance historic spaces through contrast rather than imitation.
Edinburgh World Heritage – New Town Conservation
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