Young City MasterplanGdansk, Poland
Danish real estate investment fund BPTO appointed Hoskins Architects in 2012 to prepare a detailed Development Plan for one of the largest waterfront redevelopment projects in Europe. The 22ha site of the former Gdansk Shipyard, long remembered as the cradle of the Solidarity movement in the 1980’s, will be transformed into a new dynamic mixed use district, creating a gross development area of circa 450,000 m2.
The development plan sets out a framework for the sensitive conversion and adaptation of the post-industrial site which restores, conserves and rejuvenates the protected 1870’s dockside buildings and introduces a range of new buildings to enable a variety of uses: offices, arts studios, flats, retail, hotels, conference facilities, bars, restaurants and a 60 berth marina.
Given the historical and cultural significance of the site, Hoskins Architects worked closely with the Regional Conservator, curators from the European Solidarity Centre and Gdansk City Council to ensure that the final proposals had the support of City authorities.
National Museum of ScotlandEdinburgh
Following an international competition win in 2003, Hoskins Architects prepared a 15-year masterplan to guide the redevelopment of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The principal £47.4 million phase of this work was completed in 2011. The £14.1 million third phase was completed in 2016, coinciding with the Museum’s 150th year.
The principal phase involved completely refurbishing the grade-A listed Victorian building, with new public spaces and entrances allowing the museum to reconnect with the surrounding cityscape. The stone-vaulted cellars were reconfigured and opened up to create a dramatic public entrance hall, with new stairs and lifts taking visitors up into the delicate cast iron structure of the original central atrium. Within one month of reopening the museum attracted over 500,000 visitors, far exceeding all anticipated visitor targets.
The third phase redeveloped 10 galleries across three levels, which are dedicated to decorative art, design, fashion, science, and technology. A new glazed roof to the Science and Technology galleries provides a naturally lit gallery stack, which enhances the connection with the Grand Gallery at the heart of the Museum.
Aberdeen Art GalleryAberdeen
In 2009 Hoskins Architects won a national competition for the redevelopment and expansion of the grade A listed Aberdeen Art Gallery. The Gallery, Cowdray Hall and War Memorial complex has a significant presence within the city and houses an exceptional collection, particularly of Scottish Colourists and contemporary artists.
Awarded Planning Permission in 2014, Hoskins Architects’ proposals involve various alterations to improve the visitor experience, tackling access from the street and public circulation, improving visitor services and increasing display areas. The new copper clad rooftop extension is a symbol for the Art Gallery’s rejuvenation, and creates a striking presence for the Gallery within the City. Designed as a new sculptural element in response to the proportions of the existing frontage, the extension achieves the client’s ambitions to create a world class venue for art and music. The extension makes use of the outdoor rooftop terraces by offering spectacular views across Aberdeen. The space contains a suite of new environmentally controlled temporary galleries, as well as much-needed learning and event spaces, providing bold new interiors that will engage and inspire visitors. These new spaces provide the Gallery with the ability to accommodate large international touring exhibitions with their associated education and corporate events. The project is currently onsite and due to complete 2017.
National Theatre of Scotland HeadquartersGlasgow
Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design the permanent facility for the National Theatre of Scotland, which brings together various departments currently scattered across several buildings. In keeping with the company’s brand of a Theatre Without Walls - a commitment to performing to diverse geographic audiences, with Scotland as its stage - this new facility, Rockvilla, will not host public performances, but rather will be a creative engine room for the company. Rockvilla will facilitate their expansion nationally and internationally, and aid in bringing community rejuvenation to the residents of Speirs Wharf.
This redevelopment of a disused industrial warehouse on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal will provide: three rehearsal rooms of varying scales, a learning and community suite, wardrobe department, production workshop and technical store; plus office space and social areas.
The building will be clad in sinusoidal metal, arranged in four horizontal bands. This will produce a composed and calm façade that maintains an industrial aesthetic in keeping with the history of the site, and the vision of a “creative factory”. Use of a limited palette of materials internally with an exposed steel structure continues the raw aesthetic while meeting the performance requirements of a modern theatre company. The project is currently on-site ,and scheduled to open early 2017
World MuseumVienna, Austria#BerlinOffice
Following an international open competition in 2013, Hoskins Architects in collaboration with Ralph Appelbaum Associates were appointed to redevelop exhibition and visitor facilities at Weltmuseum Wien in the historic Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
The 7,500m² redevelopment includes 2,400m² permanent exhibition and 1,400m² temporary exhibition spaces. A new information point in front of the main entrance with temporary café and performance area improves the museum’s public presence on Heldenplatz. New reception and introductory spaces lead visitors to the Säulenhalle, the heart of the museum, where visitors can relax in a new café area. From here visitors can directly access the temporary exhibition spaces, new museum shop and a new auditorium at ground floor level or the permanent collection and education facilities on the upper floor. The design uses a uniform architectural language, sensitive to its historic context, which works in conjunction with the exhibition design to create a clear and coherent museum.
Scottish National GalleryEdinburgh
Hoskins Architects were appointed by the National Galleries Scotland in 2014, via a competitive tender process, to be Architects for the new Scottish Collection Gallery on The Mound, Edinburgh. This appointment runs from feasibility to completion. The project is to provide a world class gallery space below the Playfair designed, National Gallery building, to display the large collection of Scottish Works in the Scottish National Collection. This £15.3m renovation project has now received £4.94m Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Funding and is now proceeding towards planning and will complete in 2018.
The project involves extensive reworking of the 1978 PSA designed Scottish Collection gallery, as well as linking to the 2004, John Miller and Partners, Weston link and creating new circulation routes to the Category A listed gallery above. The designs include forming a new façade onto Princes Street Gardens and propose extensive landscaping to the gardens to enhance accessibility down to the gardens entrance.
A Gathering Space - Scotland in Venice 2008Venice, Italy
In May 2008, Hoskins Architects won an anonymous competition to design 'A Gathering Space', Scotland's first ever stand-alone pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2008. The practice saw off competition from over 50 Scottish practices to win the project which was backed by the Scottish Government and the Lighthouse, Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City.
The 7m high structure consists of a partially cantilevered set of steps that is constructed entirely from locally sourced Scottish larch. The form of the structure creates an enclosed area underneath that can hold up to 100 people, and the steps become a gathering space for up to 200 people. During the Biennale 'A Gathering Space' was situated in a major piazza outside the train station overlooking the Grand Canal, and was used for seminars, organised events and informal gatherings. Gathering Space was acclaimed as a real focal point and inspiration for those exploring the art of architecture at the Biennale - giving Scotland a successful premiere at Europe’s most respected architecture festival.
New Visitor FacilitiesEdinburgh Castle
In February 2005, Hoskins Architects won the competition to upgrade Edinburgh Castle’s visitor reception facilities for Historic Scotland. The Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, so this element defined the approach. The overall aim was to improve the centre’s setting within the Castle grounds, simplify entry to the Castle, provide a warmer welcome for visitors and enhance their overall impressions of the attraction.
The project includes a new ticket office located on a new terrace formed over an existing service yard. The old, temporary ticket office was removed from the esplanade, greatly improving the view of the Castle on approach. The new terrace offers spectacular city views whilst visitors queue for their tickets. The building itself was conceived as a series of bands, echoing the stonework coursing, which unfold at varying angles, providing shelter and shade for visitors and staff, but also aligned to reduce its profile from the outside.
Mareel Cinema and Music VenueShetland
In 2006 Hoskins Architects won a national competition to design Mareel, the UK’s most northerly cinema and music venue, for Shetland Arts Development Agency.
Sitting on the edge of the historic Hay’s Dock in Lerwick, overlooking the Bressay Sound, the venue includes a multi-use auditorium, two cinema screens, recording studio, rehearsal rooms, creative industry spaces and a café/bar. The architectural response reflects the tradition of simple, robust forms typical in such exposed locations, and echoes the materiality of the fishing industry buildings dotted along the waterfront. The angular aluminium skin which wraps around and protects the acoustically sensitive spaces sits directly on the quay wall, ensuring a strong relationship with the water’s edge. Two large ‘cuts’ in the external skin of the building create a protected entrance to the main foyer and a window to the café/bar allowing views out across Hay’s Dock. Internally, timber linings bring warmth to the public spaces and contrast with the external feel of the building.
Architecture for All GalleryLondon
This £1million architecture gallery is housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and presents a range of material unparalleled in any other permanent architectural display. The existing galleries were entirely refurbished and reworked. New installations were conceived as freestanding elements requiring minimal fixing to the existing fabric, other than for restraint and the provision of service connections.
The museum exhibits and spaces are brought to life through a series of bold and contemporary structures clearly set against the historic fabric. The lighting scheme for the new gallery highlights this contrast between the new elements and the existing space, making the fabric of the Grade 1 listed Aston Webb building an exhibit in itself. The new gallery, designed as a series of elegant structures that sit within the existing space, is conceived as a ‘street’ that leads visitors through its length, presenting opportunities to explore different themes on architecture throughout.
Culloden Battlefield Visitor CentreInverness-shire
Hoskins Architects won an international competition in 2004 to design the National Trust for Scotland’s new visitor centre for Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle to be fought on mainland Britain.
The new visitor centre is designed for up to 250,000 visitors a year, housing interpretation of the battle along with educational/conference facilities, a 240 cover café/restaurant, a shop and staff/ancillary accommodation. The centre is defined by a wave-form roof and a long wall that passes through the building and out into the landscape. Visitors can take an interpretive journey through the exhibition culminating in a view of the site from the planted roof or enter the battlefield via a portal between a gently sloping berm, and a memorial wall for the fallen. The heavily insulated building is clad with local larch, Caithness stone and site-salvaged stone, and is heated by a biomass boiler supplied from local forests. The visitor centre was officially opened to the public on 16 April 2008.
Renaissance MuseumNizwa, Oman
Hoskins Architects were shortlisted from an invited long-list of internationally renowned architects to develop detailed proposals for the Renaissance Museum in Oman. The Renaissance Museum gives Omani’s the chance to reflect on the past, present and future of their country and in particular the all-encompassing achievements of the Renaissance Period.
The design of the new Museum therefore aims to combine a strong identity, recognisable both to Omani’s and the wider world. The design brings together three interconnected elements; the Plinth - containing all of the Museum facilities and support spaces, is a pure geometric angular form clad in local limestone; the Gardens - a series of hidden oases enclosed by the arms of the plinth, that engage with the undulating form of the wadi and open out to views of the Hajar mountains; and crowning the site is the Jewel Box - decorated with traditional Omani patterns, containing the main galleries of the Museum, and appearing to float above the plinth to create a strong sculptural landmark in the vastness of the desert.
Music Centre BochumBochum, Germany #BerlinOffice
In 2012 Hoskins Architects were shortlisted as one of ten teams to participate in the international competition for a new purpose built music centre for the Bochum Symphony Orchestra on the site of the Marienkirche in Bochum.
The proposal retains the socially significant landmark Marienkirche and houses the 250 seat multipurpose space under the original vaulted space of the church nave. The new purpose built 1000 seat concert hall is contained within a perforated brick volume echoing the materiality, massing and orientation of the existing church to the south of the site. Between these two volumes a new urban square faces the main public approach, landscaped to encourage public use and lead people towards the entrance in the glazed colonnaded skirt which connects the two venues. Behind the colonnade the double height foyer space forms a visible connection between the new and the old of the concert hall and the church, encouraging a sense of openness and accessibility to the musical experience.
Victoria & Albert Museum - Exhibition RoadLondon
Hoskins Architects in collaboration with Snohetta, were shortlisted as one of seven finalists for the competition for a new extension to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This prestigious project for a new underground gallery, above which will be a courtyard housing a café and outdoor events space is to be located on the Boiler House Yard site, which fronts onto Exhibition Road. The competition attracted an initial 110 international submissions.
The team's proposals are conceived as a natural theatre; the graduating surface the setting for both viewer and performer. The sweeping stone floor links the upper and lower levels in one gently sloping surface and provides for seating, stair, ramp and terrace. The courtyard caters for a multitude of uses; a natural entrance - leading visitors down to the main museum level; informal seating - a warm and inviting gathering space for visitors; a sunlight café terrace and an ideal setting for a corporate event or art installation.
Ballymena Health and Care CentreBallymena
Ballymena Health and Care Centre is the first major healthcare project that the collaborative architectural team consisting of Hoskins Architects and Keppie Design have delivered for the Northern Health Trust through the PCCI Framework for Northern Ireland Health Estates. The centre opened to the public February 2016.
The 8,000m² centre situated on the existing Braid Valley Hospital site brings together a wide range of primary, intermediary, diagnostic and community health facilities. The clinical departments are split across two floors and organised around the main arrival space: a large internal atrium. The atrium affords views to an open courtyard, which assists the building users’ orientation and allows natural daylight and ventilation to the large number of cellular spaces that make up each department. On the third floor staff office accommodation is located around the atrium beneath the undulating roof. Externally the building is dramatically defined by its saw-tooth roofline, nevertheless sitting peacefully amongst its existing neighbours.
The building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating, while its robust and textured brick finish provides a formal public presence in the community and integrates the building into the wider site.
Eastwood Health and Care CentreEast Renfrewshire
Eastwood Health and Care Centre is the development of a reference design by Hoskins Architects for hub West Scotland, and is occupied by East Renfrewshire Council and Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS.
Flexibility and innovation in layout and construction were developed through consultation with a wide range of participant groups. The three storey building is arranged around two external courtyards, allowing a high level of natural daylight and ventilation throughout the building. The ground floor accommodates a series of bookable rooms, as well as facilities to support third sector services and out of hours community use. The first floor has four GP rooms, with the reception desks and waiting areas organised around the central atrium, providing views out to the courtyards, and the activity in the main foyer below. The second floor is the headquarters of the East Renfrewshire Community Health and Care Partnership, and incorporates the latest agile working practices.
Firrhill Partnership CentreEdinburgh
Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design Firrhill Partnership Centre in Edinburgh to provide accommodation for two local GP practices and a range of Lothain NHS primary care services including: physiotherapy, childrens services and mental health. The project is being delivered by hub South East and is to be built by Graham Construction Ltd.
The various departments are centred around a three storey foyer which looks out onto a landscaped courtyard. All reception desks and waiting areas overlook the central atrium space facilitating orientation and wayfinding and providing good levels of natural light. The top floor provides office accommodation and staff facilities with a large feature window looking out towards the Pentland Hills. The building is clad in a pale coloured brick with large areas of curtain walling and precast concrete defining the entrance. Internally natural timber balustrades and panels combine with neutral colours in a carefully controlled palette of materials. The Partnership Centre has a strong street presence and will act as a recognisable landmark building helping to promote the health and care services available to the local community. The project is due to complete October 2017.
Robin House Children’s HospiceBalloch
In 2000 Hoskins Architects won an invited competition to design the second children’s hospice for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, providing residential care and accommodation for up to nine children and their families.
The new building is positioned to maximise the views over the south-facing terraced gardens and yet discretely nestles into the contours of the landscape, minimising its visual impact. A hierarchy of spaces is organised into wings and two courtyards. One courtyard forms a welcoming entrance space and the other a glazed-over space that incorporates specialized play and therapy areas. The two children’s bedroom wings are oriented south to maximise daylight and views, with each culminating in fully glazed spaces housing the library and hydrotherapy pool. The “ribbon roof”, which encloses and defines the foyer and day spaces, is a response to the plan geometry and the desire to maximise daylight, and also to create a unique identity for the building.
Community Centre for HealthGlasgow
In 2002 Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design a new, exemplar community health centre in Partick, Glasgow, to be delivered in two phases. The aim was for a welcoming, non-institutional building which would reflect the contemporary face of community health care. The glazed frontage reveals an open stair within a triple height void which forms the hub of the building and links the clinic facilities and administrative office space. The principle spaces of consulting rooms and large offices are predominantly contained within a timber box to the rear of the building, to provide privacy.
The nursery accommodation, which is an autonomous part of the building and has a requirement for privacy and containment, and hence is physically separated from both the road and the rest of the building, built under a projecting canopy that creates sheltered play spaces. Landscaping slabs at the rear of the building have three distinct levels, reflecting the development of the growing children and the different nursery classes.
Blackburn Partnership CentreWest Lothian
Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design Blackburn Partnership Centre in West Lothian to bring together services for both Lothian NHS and West Lothian Council. The project is being delivered by hub South East and is to be built by Graham Construction Ltd.
The 3,000 m2 centre combines a library, sports hall, community centre, early years centre, youth centre and a dental practice together with a GP surgery. Individual departments are arranged around a central double-height internal street which is open-plan to the library. The building overlooks a new public square which connects the building with the adjacent shopping centre. Consulting rooms look out onto a private courtyard at the rear, and the early years centre has a dedicated garden to the east of the building. The building is clad in a pale coloured brick with large areas of curtain walling and timber defining the entrance. The building aims to achieve BREEAM excellent and incorporates roof mounted photovoltaic panels. The project is to be completed October 2017.
Marionville Court CarehomeEdinburgh
Marionville care home was required to be barrier free & dementia friendly with the flexibility to cater for high dependency. The building has two key components, the ‘street’ and ‘houses’. The ‘street’ at the north of the site has staff and service areas. At the centre of the street is the care home entrance and reception with day care. A large communal area overlooks the park at the other end of the ‘street’. A single corridor runs from the ‘house’ living rooms and entrance to the ‘street’ down to south facing quiet areas. Corridors widen to provide a threshold to bedrooms with the kitchen / dining areas placed at the heart of house.
The bedroom is a key space for residents and staff and has been designed for privacy, providing space to entertain, accommodate residents own furniture and area for manoeuvring. Materials have been specified with consideration of future recycling, and heating is provided by a biomass boiler.
George Watson's Junior School Dining HallEdinburgh
In 2012 Hoskins Architects were commissioned to prepare a feasibility study for George Watson’s College’s 20 hectare campus in Edinburgh. In order to guide campus improvements over the next 15-20 year period, the study identified a number of development priorities, highlighting the school catering provision as a key area of focus.
The first built project to be realised by Hoskins Architects is the new Junior School Dining Hall. The project incorporates an extension of the existing dining facility, and refurbishing the existing building housing the kitchen and staff accommodation. The large-volume dining hall provides space for 420 pupils, along with sanitary accommodation and a large storage area. The front elevation is generously glazed, and can be opened up to provide a physical connection to the Junior School playground. The new spaces are all naturally ventilated with the necessary intake louvres carefully incorporated into the external elevations of the building. This ensures year-round comfort and low running costs. As well as dining facilities, the hall is designed to house a wide variety of school activities including: evening functions, parents’ café, after-school club and pipe band practice.
The Bridge Arts CentreGlasgow
In 2000 Hoskins Architects won an open competition to design a new arts venue in Easterhouse for Glasgow City Council. The Bridge Arts Centre nestles between the existing community swimming pool and the John Wheatley College, to form Easterhouse Cultural Campus, and provides a naturally ventilated auditorium space, rehearsal workshops, recording suites, education and gallery spaces, café and community library.
Funded by a range of sources including local government, Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund and European Regional Development Fund, the project challenges the notion of a traditional ‘arts’ building. It aims to create a new focus for people within one of Glasgow’s peripheral housing estates, to engage with and take part in the arts, and also endeavours to stimulate regeneration of the surrounding area. The building form, dictated by the site, is that of a simple rectangular timber box, housing the auditorium, adjacent to a double height triangular volume containing the library and learning spaces.
Grassmarket Community ProjectEdinburgh
Having worked with Greyfriars Kirk since 2004 on various projects Hoskins Architects were asked to extend the existing Kirkhouse in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The successful programmes of wood-work, cookery and art classes run by the Kirk for the homeless community had outgrown their original venue and, in addition, a lettable community hall was requested to provide a vital income stream to fund the social enterprise activities.
The tight site adjacent to the Category A listed Kirkyard was formerly occupied by three derelict industrial warehouses. The aim is to contribute a strong contemporary addition to the World Heritage Site through a building of exceptional architectural merit. Larger double height volumes benefitting from toplight are located next to the 8m high Kirkyard wall with smaller more cellular spaces located around the perimeter. A sedum roof gives the impression of an extension to the Kirkyard, punctured by the monolithic rooflights which are wrapped in the same metal cladding as the perimeter walls.
Families' Reception CentreEdinburgh
The Edinburgh Prison Visitor Centre is the result of a design competition, held in 1997, to develop a prototype for the Scottish Prison Service. The brief called for a comfortable, welcoming building located outwith the prison gates, where visitors (mostly women and children) could prepare for and recover from their visits.
Clarity is paramount in this type of building. The distinction between prison and reception centre must be obvious for the latter to be effective as an independent entity. Equally, visitors needed to be clear about where the entrance and toilets were, as the visiting process is stressful enough without architectural complications. With this in mind, the building was designed to maximise daylight while minimising views of the prison itself, by wrapping the accommodation around an outdoor children’s play area and peeling up the patented copper roof at its south-east corner, forming a dramatic external silhouette and uninterrupted, light-filled interior.
Notre Dame & St Peter’s Primary SchoolGlasgow
This is the final project in Glasgow City Council’s primary school programme, providing a new home for Notre Dame RC Primary School and St Peter’s RC Primary School and Anderson Street Nursery. Hoskins Architects, as part of Glasgow City Council’s Architectural Framework, were commissioned through mini competition to develop detail design through to tender with the Council’s Project Management & Design division.
The new joint primary school comprises radical refurbishment of the existing Category B listed 1895 building to current standards, forming a classroom block, along with an extension which retains the best elements of the original building to provide a nursery, assembly and gym halls, and a library. These community resource spaces can also be operated outside of school hours. The project aims for a BREEAM Very Good rating including high levels of hygroscopic insulation and a ground sourced heat pump. The extension’s terracotta panel cladding is a carefully conceived random pattern of colours echoing the surrounding sandstone hues of Glasgow’s Dowanhill.
Bird College of Dance, Music & Theatre PerformanceLondon
Following an international architectural competition, Hoskins Architects were selected to design a new dance and drama college for Bird College in Sidcup, South London. Founded by Doreen Bird 67 years ago, Bird College is an acknowledged centre of excellence for dance and theatre performance and a renowned provider of education and professional training in dance, music and theatre.
In addition to refurbishing the existing inter-war school building, the project comprises a new 250 seat performance and teaching space plus up to 2000m2 dance and music spaces, with ancillary accommodation. The College aims to match the best within the sector and accommodate increased student numbers by creating an exciting new teaching and learning resource for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community. Subject to funding, the College intends the site to be fully developed by 2018.
Aberdeen City GardensAberdeen
Hoskins Architects in collaboration with Snohetta, were one of six finalists selected for the international competition to transform the existing Victorian Union Terrace Gardens in order to create a landmark urban space for Aberdeen, including the provision of a cultural building, new green spaces, level access and place-making. The competition was carried out against a back drop of public consultation, presentations to the client body and key stakeholders.
Our approach was to create a series of new flexible public spaces of varying scales; a commercial market square to the south, a cultural plaza bounded by His Majesty’s Theatre, the Art Gallery and our new cultural building to the north, linked by a new diagonal boulevard and series of terraced gardens. The terraces were designed to allow for connections to be made to retail and leisure courtyards from Belmont St, as well as direct links to car parking and the train station to the south, effectively allowing the gardens to be a new arrival point for visitors to the city.
Berlin City LibraryBerlin, Germany#Library
In 2013 Hoskins Architects won first prize in an invited competition to redesign the interior spaces of the listed Berlin City Library. The building was first opened to the public in October 1966 and was designed by Heinz Mehlan in a style typical of its era, with an atmosphere of openness, transparency and clarity. Over time, these spatial qualities began to erode as various accretions and alterations were made to the internal spaces.
The new design, completed in 2015, re-establishes these original design qualities, while providing the modern public facilities required by a modern municipal library. The redevelopment includes: new wayfinding signage, a new reception area, press display, reading area and café. Recent additions to the space were removed and replaced with new low-level bespoke timber furniture. These work harmoniously with the original materials, recreating the sight lines through to the courtyard, thus restoring the original qualities of lightness and transparency.
Mid Yell Junior High SchoolShetland
Won through a national competition in Feb 2006, this junior high school replaces the previous 1960’s school and accommodates approximately 120 pupils from 3 to 16 years of age. Designed with a variety of informal and formal learning areas, the new building is also a multi-use facility for the whole community - providing a library, theatre and public meeting rooms. Importantly, the external environment was considered as an extension of the internal teaching spaces, with classroom and social spaces opening onto the landscape.
Regular consultation workshops, led by Hoskins Architects, with the school’s teachers and pupils, as well as island residents and the local planning department allowed the desires and aspirations of the local community to be considered as the design developed. Planning Permission for this project was achieved within 6 weeks of submission, with many letters of support being received from across the island.
Exemplar Schools ProjectClackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire Council was keen that quality design be instrumental in the PPP process for building its three new secondary schools, so it appointed Hoskins Architects, along with two other architectural practices in October 2003, to put forward ideas.
With the help of educational consultant, David Harvey, Hoskins Architects looked at various generic education models and their shortcomings, and from this developed their own model based on “learning hubs”; effectively schools within schools. Students need only leave their “learning hub” to visit facilities which the hub did not provide, like laboratories or the gym. Teachers, for all but specialised subjects, go to the students in their hub. “Science & Technology”, “Health” and “Performing & Visual Arts” would also be learning hubs but as community facilities open to both students and the public. A “street” or “square” would link learning hubs, community facilities and the school’s “front door” around a flexible social and educational space.
West Register StreetEdinburgh
Hoskins Architects were appointed by Chris Stewart Group to develop proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of an under-utilized area and to bring new life to existing, redundant buildings and surrounding lanes on a prominent, urban site in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town World Heritage Site and Conservation Area. The project involves the redevelopment of four existing buildings that front onto South St Andrew Street and West Register Street, and has a significant presence on the south east corner of St Andrew Square.
The proposed mixed use development carefully knits the requirements for Category A office space and high quality restaurant, café, bar, and retail units into a complex, historic setting, whilst revealing the fine details of a listed Venetian Gothic warehouse that sits within the site. New build elements respond to the scale, proportion and character of adjacent buildings, streets and lanes, with natural stone cladding carefully interspersed with precast concrete bands. The proposal includes a comprehensive and considered strategy for the site in its wider context.
Bon Accord Shopping CentreAberdeen
Following successful completion of a wider feasibility study, Hoskins Architects were appointed to design the refresh of this shopping mall in Aberdeen. During the development of the project the practice carried out several consultations with retailers and other key stakeholders in order to develop a strategic approach that would allow for the mall to remain operational for the duration of the build.
The mall had become very dated in appearance with a myriad of materials present. Client and team agreed that a more contemporary approach was required in order to ensure the mall remained the premier shopping destination in the city. The redesign simplifies and adds clarity by using a limited colour palette of blacks and whites and a recurring geometric motif of the circle. Internally the works included the replacement of existing floors, ceilings, stairs and lift lobbies, as well as new frameless curved glass balustrades; externally both main entrances were completely replaced, including new external landscaping.
Centre for Creative IndustriesMannheim, Germany#BerlinOffice
Hoskins Architects were among 25 practices selected from over 200 entries to submit proposals for a new centre for creative industries on a post-industrial canal site in Mannheim, Germany.
The brief for the competition was to design a building that would accommodate a communal art gallery and 4,600 sqm of lettable area whilst incorporating parts of a listed industrial complex. The new centre will offer affordable lets for creative industry start-ups with co-working, meeting and event spaces and a cafe tailored to the creative clientele. Hoskins Architects proposal clearly distinguishes between public functions located within a two storey brick plinth incorporating the listed facades of the existing industrial buildings and the individually lettable units located in modular ‘containers’ on the upper floors. The public plinth allows multiple connections and interactions with the surrounding urban context, whereas the ‘container cubes’ above create a strong identity for the building by making an emblematic reference to the canal location but also to the temporary aspect of the working spaces within.
St Peter's SeminaryArgyll & Bute
St Peter’s Seminary was built in 1967, within the grounds of the Kilmahew Estate overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The seminary provided residential teaching accommodation for priests. In 1980, the training of priests moved to an outreach model, thus making the seminary redundant. The complex is seen as one of the finest pieces modernist architecture in Scotland and the derelict buildings now sit on register of the 100 most important buildings at risk in the world. In 2008, Hoskins Architects were commissioned by Historic Scotland and the developer Urban Splash to develop proposals to bring the derelict buildings back through a new use.
Hoskins Architects' proposals centre around a rethinking of the entire site to create a coherent masterplan that exploits the mature landscape setting of the estate as well as the reuse of the buildings. The site is reconceived as a unique resort destination providing hotel accommodation within the original accommodation block, a new build element on the site of the now demolished Kilmahew House and a series of individual houses within the grounds. The original teaching block, refectory and chapel are converted to create new restaurant, function and spa facilities.
Film CityGlasgow
Developed in direct response to the needs of the high-value film and television industries, Hoskins Architects have worked with Film City Glasgow on plans to build Scotland’s first dedicated studio facility, with an integrated Facilities Village and Creative Cluster. To be located at the heart of the nation’s film-making infrastructure and crew base, Pacific Quay in Glasgow, the proposals consist of over 8,000 m² of dedicated sound stages, supporting offices and production workshops to be delivered in phases with the opportunity for further expansion of a similar scale available.
Taking cues from the wider masterplan for the area, and based on worldwide best practice in sound stage layout the proposals emphasise the axis with the existing Film City facility, take advantage of views over the Clyde and seek to create a vibrant central space supporting the creative activities at the heart of film making and expanding opportunities for the local film industry.
Eastsite Campus Office RedevelopmentMunich, Germany#BerlinOffice
The 25,000sqm office building is located near Munich East Station, close to the city centre. The complex was built in 1979 and had been refurbished in 1999 and fitted with a second skin glass facade. However in 2010 only 30% of the office space was let.
Following an initial feasibility study Deka Immobilien commissioned Hoskins Architects to develop and implement a new architectural concept to create maximum effect on a tight budget aimed at radically changing the perception of the building to reposition of the building on the market. The proposed measures include redesign of the external facade and all public areas, a new fire strategy to allow corridor free office spaces and refurbishment of 5,500sqm roof implementing an extensive green roof.
3-8 St Andrew SquareEdinburgh
Located within the World Heritage Site of Edinburgh’s New Town, this project involves the redevelopment of 7 existing buildings on the south side of St Andrew Square that formed the original headquarters of the Scottish Provident insurance firm. Hoskins Architects have worked in collaboration with CDA to deliver this significant development on what is one of the city’s most sensitive prime sites.
The project is seen as a major element within the regeneration of the eastern end of the New Town, providing mixed use of 100,000 sq ft Grade A office space, 70,000 sq ft prime retail, and a suite of luxury apartments. Involving close liaison with statutory bodies to agree the conversion and reuse of the Category A listed Burnett building and the selective demolition of a number of other listed buildings, the scheme received planning and listed building consent in 2007, is due to complete in 2016.
Princes Street GalleriesEdinburgh
The £70 million project for the Princes Street Galleries explores the integration of new shopping facilities, visitor and public spaces within Edinburgh’s historic city centre. The city has a recent history of failed commercial developments within the city centre.
This project proposes an alternative to these anonymous shopping malls, to create a vibrant new public space within the city, that continues its rich urban fabric and brings new life and activity to the currently under utilised gardens between the Old and New Towns. The design forms a new open public square within the gardens, focused around the landmark of the Scott Monument. The new square is set below the level of Princes Street to create an array of new retail spaces below the road and enable a direct link to the existing shops along the street. The gardens are remodelled to enclose the southern edge of the square and form a animated new ‘green’ landscape within the city.
Campus WestMunich, Germany
This project required the development of a new vision for the Campus West site, an existing office campus situated within a business district defined by a major road and rail corridor leading to central Munich. The vision for Campus West will see the site develop into a dynamic and sought after city location within a strong community, increasing the attractiveness and value of the property to the market. This will attract major investment and allow the site to establish itself as one of the foremost places to work in the west of Munich. The proposed re-development will be a landmark for the surrounding area and represent the rebirth of the site as a new and exciting neighbourhood.
From an existing lettable floor area of 36,500 m², the proposals create a phased approach to the development leading up to a new landmark tower. Targeting both young professionals for smaller rental units and premier suppliers with larger space requirements, the proposal provides both warehouse style flexible rental units and creates larger units with a strong street presence as a destination for premier suppliers in retail and service industries. The development aims to reposition Campus West as a more economically competitive and sustainable area that attracts and retains a wide range of business activity. The area will offer choice to businesses and investors in a quality environment and demonstrate confidence in the location.
Pacific Quay MasterplanGlasgow
Following a second placing in the international design competition for the masterplanning of Pacific Quay in 2002, Hoskins Architects were approached by the BBC and Glasgow City Council to come on-board to revisit the existing proposals in 2004. This involved extensive workshops with the various stakeholders to produce a new masterplan that would provide a cohesive framework for the ongoing development of this key area on the south bank of the Clyde.
The project looked at developing a framework that looks beyond the immediate boundaries of the site to create a considered regeneration strategy within the context of transport connections, the city centre, surrounding communities and the ‘river corridor’ as a whole. This dense mix allows the smaller, yet growing digital industries to develop alongside and feed off the larger commercial operations and organisations such as Scottish Screen and the BBC. Combined with these ‘work’ elements, there would also be a range of support and leisure facilities.
Golf Resort and Residential DevelopmentAberdeenshire
Following approval of an outline planning application in 2008, Trump International – Scotland commissioned Hoskins Architects to prepare a detailed masterplan for the development of a 460 hectare site around Menie House on the north-east coast of Aberdeenshire. The proposed development will be comprised of a world class championship links golf course suitable for hosting major international events and a second 18-hole links golf course, a landmark hotel set amidst an array of luxury holiday homes and a residential village formed within the unique setting of the Menie Estate.
The masterplan design aims to work with the existing natural features and topography, taking full advantage of the dramatic setting and creating a strong sense of place and belonging. Careful consideration will be given to the location of buildings to ensure a seamless unification with the landscape while controlling the visual impact and preserving the distinct character of the land. The masterplan was approved by Aberdeenshire council in June 2010.
Masterplan, State Museums Gottorf CastleSchleswig, Germany #BerlinOffice
Hoskins Architects in collaboration with Ralph Appelbaum Associates and Buro Happold were shortlisted as one of twelve teams to participate in the international competition for a new masterplan for Gottorf castle and its museum island in Schleswig.
Proposals for this prestigious project involve a series of major architectural works to the listed complex of buildings, as well as landscape proposals for the island itself. The scheme focuses on reorganising the two main collections housed in the castle, those of the Cultural History of Schleswig-Holstein and the Archaeology Museum of Schleswig-Holstein, and proposes reinstatement of its baroque staircase, to enable use of the Piano Nobile to enter the exhibition. New circulation routes encourage visitors to discover more of the museum’s collections, new learning zones and new restaurants facilities. The scheme also comprises a new welcome-centre, an exhibition building for the archaeological collection and an experience trail around the island, connecting it with the baroque garden to the north.
Commonwealth Games Village MasterplanGlasgow
For the 2014 Athletes Village, Hoskins Architects collaborated with Broadway Malyan to develop the masterplan proposals during the bid stage and to look in detail at how the village could be developed as a new residential area to create a long term legacy of the games. As architects of the preferred masterplan proposals for the adjacent Bellgrove site development bid, Hoskins Architects provided experience of similar scale regeneration sites.
A key consideration has been to develop a clear understanding of the extent and location of temporary facilities to support the Village and what might be the best balance in terms of facilities that may be retained or developed to provide for needs within the ongoing regeneration of the wider area. Our proposal is very much about creating a place focused around the particular qualities of the site's proximity to the River Clyde whilst ensuring ease of connections to the existing communities at Bridgeton, Parkhead and Rutherglen and to the centre of the City itself.
Bellgrove MasterplanGlasgow
In 2007 Hoskins Architects' masterplan proposals for the former abattoir and market site in the East End of Glasgow set out a vision for a vibrant and sustainable new neighbourhood with a distinct character and identity that would combine the remaining elements of the site’s history with the contemporary language of individually designed buildings and public spaces.
The masterplan proposed three distinct areas: a residential area, a mixed use area and an activity zone that would reuse the main market sheds to create a communal space that could be used for a variety of activities. With its excellent public transport links into the City Centre and its proximity to the established community of Dennistoun a unique opportunity was afforded to create an exemplary new model for sustainable city living that would act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding area, so that it could once again play an important role in the economic and cultural life of Glasgow.
Gray HouseSt Andrews
A direct commission from a private client, this family home is located on the edge of the St. Andrews Conservation Area in a unique, long, narrow gap site in a residential area. During the design process, which lead to a successful Planning Approval, the proposal gained a letter of support from the St. Andrews Preservation Society for its sensitive approach. The design is constrained by a site which is approximately 150m long by 23m wide with an existing mature beech hedge bordering the site and surrounded by existing dwellings.
The house consists of two plain white monolithic boxes of differing scales, and two crafted timber cubes. These sit along the datum throughout the length of the site, with the gap between the two white rendered boxes forming a sheltered entrance and a controlled view through the house to the garden beyond. Their strong form in white render with crafted timber elements, produce a contemporary home that is integrated into the site, creating a sense of quiet privacy with minimal impact on neighbouring aspects. The design includes a series of carefully controlled external spaces, for relaxing, entertaining, and gardening. The building is detailed to result in low levels of energy consumption using high insulation and air-tightness values.
Hillside Gardens LaneGlasgowZoobieDoo
In January 2015 Hoskins Architects won planning approval for a high-specification housing development at Partickhill: the heart of Glasgow’s historic West End Conservation Area.
The practice undertook a feasibility study for Partickhill Bowling Club, exploring options to revitalise their clubhouse and grounds. In order to provide funds to improve its facilities, the club decided to release an unused area of the grounds for development.
Hillside Gardens Lane – the project for six townhouses and associated landscaped gardens for client Noah Developments – is now onsite. The scheme comprises a linear terraced block, which forms a transition between the existing mews buildings and surrounding tenements. The proposal completes the unfinished urban block, enclosing and framing the existing bowling green and the clubhouse pavilion building. The scheme uses a limited palette of high quality materials – predominantly brick. The façade has large vertically oriented openings with deep reveals, which evoke the fenestration of the surrounding buildings.
Lawlor HouseGlasgow
The Lawlor House is a new private house on a steeply sloping site within a Conservation Area. Formerly an orchard, the site is currently a vacant plot bounded on three sides by existing gardens, with a wooded public park on the western boundary.
The dwelling is a contemporary interpretation of the ‘Grand Villa’ with sliding panels of buff sandstone, render and glass contained within a folding precast concrete band. To avoid ‘overlooking’, accommodation is arranged around private courtyard gardens that terrace down to the front entrance in response to the site slope. The line of the boundary wall continues into the main body of the building with a frameless glass wall, to form a covered entrance. Cantilevered timber staircases and a glazed lift maximise light in the double-height reception area whilst providing access to bedroom suites. The master bedroom on the third floor cantilevers over the drive to maximize sunlight & views, and opens onto a south-facing roof terrace.
Ball HouseEdinburgh
In 2009 Hoskins Architects won an invited competition to design a villa in Edinburgh’s Morningside Conservation Area. Planning consent was secured without objection in November 2010, following a lengthy process of careful liaison with statutory authorities and local interest bodies due to the extremely sensitive context.
Our approach was to develop a contemporary response to the string of distinguished stone villas which form the immediate context, and the project reinterprets many of its distinctive patterns – refined stonework, timber panelling, prominent bay windows, and spatial richness. The villa is split over two floors, with an additional basement level of accommodation for guests. A large suite of public rooms for entertaining are arranged on the entrance level, organised around a series of carefully controlled external spaces, whilst the upper level twists to take advantage of astonishing long views. The building is carbon neutral in operation, powered by a biomass boiler and photovoltaic cells.
The Duncan HouseFife
The Duncan House is a new private house set within a listed walled garden in Fife. The project combines the clients' aspirations for a 'glass house' together with a response to the formal geometry of the enclosing walls, paths and borders of what was originally the fruit garden of the adjacent country house.
The plan of the house is defined by two thick, white rendered masonry walls that contrast with the grey whinstone of the existing garden walls. These walls emphasise connections between old and new, inside and outside. Daylight is maximized by almost half of the external walls being glass, and to fulfill the clients' request for a frameless appearance, the units are butt-joined and detailed to allow for movement of the cantilevered roof. The walls are thick in plan in order to conceal cupboards, wardrobes, service runs, window seats and fireplaces, so that the main spaces are clean and uncluttered, with their main focus on the garden.
Crawford CourtEast Renfrewshire
Following a limited competition, volume housebuilders, Mactaggart & Mickel appointed Hoskins Architects to develop an alternative to an approved planning scheme for 20 high quality apartments. The development will comprise 16 two bedroom units and 4 three bedroom apartments aimed at downsizers and older residents.
The five storey block is set within its own grounds in a conservation area of mixed suburban villas and flatted developments. The design features generous south facing balconies lined with extremely durable platowood, framed in carefully designed brickwork. Residents' lock-ups define the south boundary with a sedum roof creating a beautiful fifth elevation.