A 30 year old office building has been completely transformed with the innovative vision of the Chris Stewart Group in collaboration with ISA Architects and GHI Contracts. Greenside, located in the bustling city centre of Edinburgh, is an award winning project and we are proud to say we played a part in this exceptional development.

The building itself provided inspiration having originally been constructed with stone, concrete and lead and it was important that these materials were the bases of the scheme. We were asked to sensitively incorporate a natural element to the building, which allowed the beauty of the different materials to be appreciated, as well as reflecting the surrounding landscape of Calton Hill.

Exploring texture and its uses to create depth and interest to the façade led us to the ancient Japanese art of Shou Sugi Ban, charring wood. The beautiful textures and patterns of the Douglas Fir grain come in to their own but as well as aesthetic this treatment it is also practical. The charring method provides a natural resistance to weathering and fire!

The treated cladding adorns the exterior of the building and also appears in the reception area, where we incorporated a gradient effect, creating a connection between inside and out.

Fire doors are discreetly co-ordinated and concealed within laminated wall panelling and at a mere 2.8m high this was no mean feat! Our work can also be seen around various other points of the building including 100 fire rated door panels.

The building has gone on to win a British Council for Offices (BCO) award for Best Refurbished / Recycled Workplace in Scotland 2018 and has also been nominated for the national awards, with the winner to be announced in October.

We were delighted to receive a glowing letter of recommendation from Nicola Gourlay, Architect and Development Manager at the Chris Stewart Group:

‘Chris Stewart Group worked with Jason Baker Design (JBD) on the award winning Greenside Development, a 38000sqft reimagining of a tired 1980’s office, into grade A workspace. JBD were involved in the project from the outset and worked closely with our in-house interior designers to develop the detailing and budget and then with the main contractor to fabricate and install the final design. The process of design development was greatly enhanced by JBD’s extensive knowledge of materials and detailing. The costs were managed at all times with JBD continuing organisation of itemised budgets in line with the design and recommendations for simplifications of elements where appropriate. The main-contractor extended the scope of works that JBD delivered given the quality of their workmanship.’

‘JBD made a substantial contribution to the overall design aesthetic which secured the development a recent British Council of Offices (BCO) award, with their skill and attention to detailing in the main reception and new external envelope. The alterations to the building focused on the use of charred Douglas Fir to connect the building to the wooded slopes of Calton Hill behind and soften the robust and weary 1980’s exterior. The JBD timber elements elevate the building beyond most grade A office developments but also importantly create an environment where the spaces are focused on the everyday users. Distinctive and user friendly, sophisticated and yet warm the façade, reception, toilets and lobbies were all transformed with JBD workmanship.’

‘We would recommend working with JBD, and in particular on bespoke projects that require attention to detail along with value for money. We would also recommend that the earlier JBD are involved in a project the better value that can be realised and indeed the finished result would likely celebrate the unique warmth and character that can be created in skilled hands.’