Barnton Avenue, Edinburgh

Barnton Avenue, a category C listed red brick dwelling built in the Queen Anne Style, is an oddity within the sandstone dominated context of Edinburgh. Over time, the house had lost clarity due to piecemeal interventions—rooms (and the original property) were subdivided, and ad-hoc changes disrupted its flow and functionality. Spaces essential for modern family life, were either absent or insufficient. The client challenge to Somner Macdonald was clear: how do you take a listed home and respect its original characteristics while evolving it into something meaningful and functional for a modern family?

The transformation at Barnton Avenue is an exploration of balancing tradition and modernity. By stripping back unnecessary changes, the original proportions and architectural integrity of the house were restored. Spaces were thoughtfully reimagined to introduce what was missing, accommodating the energy of a busy family home—boot rooms, pantries, laundries, and storage were seamlessly integrated.

Alongside the client’s desire for design and aesthetic updates there was a clear objective to create a home fit for the 21st century in terms of energy performance, this involved a fabric first approach to the insulative envelope, with all floors, wall, roofs, & windows upgraded with natural insulations and vapour open construction preferred where possible. This approach also helped in the retention of many original features protected by the listing of the property.

The result is a house that functions with ease and grace, where practical needs are met without compromising architectural beauty. Light-filled spaces flow effortlessly, with thresholds and views carefully designed to compress and release, creating a calm and composed environment.

At its core, the home respects its traditional characteristics but embraces a modern vision: one that accommodates the realities of family life—children, dogs, chickens, and all—with a sense of architectural refinement and thoughtful design. Every corner, every material junction, and every surface has been meticulously considered and executed to perfection, ensuring the result is not just functional but meaningful.