In the serene suburb of Corstorphine, Edinburgh, nestled amidst quintessential mid-century homes, lies a revitalized terraced house that seamlessly marries the charm of the past with contemporary design. Crafted by AGORA architecture + design, this once fragmented layout has been ingeniously transformed to foster familial unity and offer a vibrant connection with nature.
Open Plan Home Technical Information
- Architects: AGORA architecture + design
- Location: Costorphine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Topics: British Houses
- Project Year: 2021 – 2022
- Photographs: © Alix Macintosh
Our brief was to create a layout that would allow the family to be together more, and to bring the kitchen to the heart of the home.
– AGORA Architects
Open Plan Home Photographs
Reimagining Familial Spaces: Blending Function and Aesthetics
The initial layout presented a significant challenge. The aftermath of a front extension had given way to a protracted and confined kitchen that felt disjointed from the living space and the beckoning garden beyond. This layout conundrum led to the family’s routine activities being relegated to different rooms, making familial interactions sporadic at best. The need of the hour was a space where they could converge, interact, and relish the homely comforts together.
AGORA’s creativity shone through in their approach. The crux of their design solution was an expansive L-shaped living space, majestically oriented towards the lush garden. By removing the barriers of the old kitchen and hallway, they invited a flood of natural light and seamlessly connected the indoors with the outdoors.
Where the old kitchen once stood, the front of the house now boasts a dual-purpose space: a home office that can effortlessly transform into a spare bedroom. At the heart of this open plan is a cozy “snug”, accentuated by a striking fireplace, offering a perfect spot for family time. The rear of the design houses the kitchen and dining zones. With bi-fold doors and a picturesque garden-view window, the outside feels like a natural extension of the home. One of the most eye-catching features is the exposed steel structure, elegantly demarcating the different zones.
The kitchen is a testament to both function and form. Designed to resemble a modern piece of furniture, appliances are discreetly concealed behind tall oak doors. The central alcove houses the sink, while full-height shelving not only offers storage but showcases an oak-lined window seat – an inviting nook for relaxation. This meticulous attention to detail extends to the flooring as well, with a rich oak herringbone pattern sprawling throughout the ground floor.
The choice of a green and pink color palette further elevates the design. From the kitchen units to the walls, steelwork, and soft furnishings, this harmonious use of colors, combined with minimalist design elements such as flush skirtings, frameless doors, and transparent switches, imparts a sense of spaciousness.
Open Plan Home Plans
Open Plan Home Image Gallery
About AGORA architecture + design
AGORA architecture + design, headquartered in Edinburgh, serves Scotland and extends its expertise across the UK, specializing in crafting distinctive homes, thoughtful extensions, and renovations. They adeptly handle alterations to listed properties and venture into educational, commercial, and retail projects.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Main contractor: Platinum Property Services
- Structural engineer: Structural Design Consultants
