JOHN Robertson Architects (JRA) has been appointed to reconfigure the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland headquarters at Edinburgh’s 14 Queen Street.
The Grade A-listed 14 Queen Street is described as a ‘notable’ example of Scottish Georgian architecture, situated in Edinburgh’s UNESCO-protected New Town.
The New Town World Heritage Site is characterised by a diverse portfolio of architecturally significant commercial and residential buildings including designs from John & Robert Adam and Sir William Chambers.
With the retrofit currently at RIBA Stage II, JRA said its work on 14 Queen Street is a ‘testimony’ to the practice’s ‘specialist reputation in the retrofitting and reimagining of legacy commercial assets’, often with listed status or within conservation areas. To argument the practice’s design capabilities more widely across the UK, JRA launched an Edinburgh studio last year which supplements its established studios in London and Lodz, Poland.
JRA’s Edinburgh studio is led by associate director Angela St Clair-Ford, a specialist in interior design schemes within commercial buildings. St Clair-Ford previously worked on several high-profile interior fit-outs including the new Strand Campus for King’s College, London encompassing the Grade II-listed Bush House, four adjoining period buildings and a courtyard. In addition, JRA has delivered designs to repurpose a number of other listed buildings including 7 & 8 Frederick’s Place and 35 Old Jewry, also originally designed by Robert Adam and both in the City of London.
Angela St Clair-Ford said, “We are excited to be appointed by BMA Scotland to work on 14 Queen Street. The appointment exemplifies JRA’s success with the retrofit of complex historical buildings. We are looking forward to creating a modern workplace for BMA Scotland while respecting the original history of the building and its context.”
