Leith Maker Workshop, located in Leith, Edinburgh, aims to facilitate makers by giving them a space to work, live and rest. It also aims to bridge different communities together through its main courtyard, which serves as an access and social circulation space. The idea of stone columns as the permanent and timber frame as impermanent is reflected on how the building aims to adapt and evolve over time. This includes elements that can be taken apart when it reached its lifespan. This proposal also aims to create a building that is defined by its users. This means creating kinetic openings, where the user is able to decide how public/private, noisy/quiet the space can be. This in turn, allows the spaces to be flexible with its uses.
Kelly Vimala Tanim
Leith Maker Workshop
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Project description
About the site..
The Existing Red Wall
One important characteristic of the site is the existing red wall that separates it from a church graveyard. This red stone wall is a testament to stone as the existing urban fabric of Leith. With its strong characteristics, this wall will be retained.
Inhabiting the Existing red wall
Site Interview
The programme of the space was first decided through research on the site and its surroundings. During the site interview, we visited a few buildings that would potentially open us up to different discussions. When we reached 'Hingabootery' cafe in Leith Links, we came across Jane, who was involved in a church community organisation for crofters. It was visible that there was a strong sense of community in Leith, which urgently indicated the need for the building programme to reach out to the public. In front of the cafe, there were garage sheds and furnitures which belonged to Tom. He would teach the community how to croft in the morning and would build furnitures by noon.
Notes taken from site interview
Diagram on massing strategy
Site Strategy
Sketching the plan
Developed sketch of ground floor plan
GF plan at 1:200
The workshop
During the site interview, we came across Tom, who would give back to the community by teaching crofting while building furniture. It was visible that Tom did not have enough space to store his tools. Therefore, initiating the spark for a workshop space to facilitate people like Tom.
The workshop aims to be accessible by the public. Not only would the makers have the freedom of space, but also the option to live in the co-housing scheme. This interaction between the workshop and the co-housing encourages social interactions between the public, residents and workers.
workshop diagram
Co-Housing with an Adaptable Layout
Heavy-Light Structure
Visit to Hutton Stone Quarry
With the intention to use stone as the permanent structure, it was important to engage and understand with the production of stone. Hutton stone, located in Swinton, have provided most of Edinburgh's stone structures and claddings. There were different ways to cut stone, whether using the diamond or mono saw, it was an enthralling experience to experience the production from the beginning until it was ready to be shipped.
Final building structure
Kinetic Openings
1:50 facade model
1:50 facade model (window closed)
1:50 facade, interior view, GF
1:50 facade model (interior, facing the window)
Construction Sequence
The structure in 100 years time (only stone remains)
Precedent Study- Tempio Malatestiano, Leon Battista Alberti
1:50 bay model of Tempio Malatestiano (precedent)
1:200 plan of Tempio Malatestiano (precedent)
1:200 delaminated plan of Tempio Malatestiano, (red: new structure, black: old structure)
Kelly Vimala Tanim
Leith Maker Workshop
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