Scottish architecture studio Pend has skillfully revitalized a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh by adding a striking extension clad in slender red bricks, blending beautifully with the existing pale stone façade.
Located in the Newhaven Conservation Area, this addition redefines the home’s relationship with its garden. Previously, the house struggled with a compartmentalized front and a neglected conservatory and shed at the back.
For another stunning use of red brick, check out Casa Castela’s impressive red walkway that blends seamlessly with its environment.
Pend’s solution involved crafting a new secondary entrance within the single-storey structure, providing seamless access to a freshly designed living area, which flows elegantly into the dining and kitchen spaces. Project architect Joanna Hobbs explained that the original entrance was one level above the kitchen due to the site’s topography, leading visitors through private rooms before reaching communal areas.
The Design of the New Extension
“The new design introduces a clearly defined secondary entrance at the rear, offering a direct path into the kitchen and primary entertaining areas, while preserving the privacy of the original entry,” Hobbs shared with Dezeen. “We expanded existing openings for better light penetration, connecting the house’s interior with the garden more effectively.”
The extension draws inspiration from the existing home’s curved masonry walls, previously repaired with brickwork infills—a detail echoed in the red brick exterior. Inside, the curving stone motif resonates through a circular skylight, a curved timber opening between dining and living spaces, and curved shelving integrated into the design.
To see more on blending historic forms with modern style, look at Modern Montauk Home which merges traditional and contemporary elements to perfection.
“The rear’s uniqueness lies in its solid sandstone masonry curved wall, over three feet thick in some places,” said Hobbs. “This geometry sets the property apart and guided our design of curved elements and landscape features.”
Adjacent to the new entrance, a cozy study offers a tranquil retreat, featuring a porthole-like window with garden views. The design extends into the garden with a winding path dividing it into an informal lawn and a paved terrace, unified by a curved, brick-lined bed and access steps.
Founded by Jamie Anderson in 2021, Pend, based in Leith, Edinburgh, specializes in residential projects. Their previous work includes extending a Georgian farmhouse with pink-toned stone volumes and converting a forgotten infill site into stylish mews homes in Edinburgh.
The photography is by Shaun Barton.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What changes did Pend make to the Edinburgh townhouse?
Pend added a striking extension clad in red bricks, introducing a secondary entrance and redesigning the living area to flow smoothly into dining and kitchen spaces.
How does the new design connect the house to the garden?
The renovation involved expanding existing openings for better light, offering a direct path into primary entertaining areas, and creating a garden path with a curved, brick-lined bed to unify the garden space.
What inspired the extension’s curved elements?
The design was inspired by the existing home’s curved masonry walls and solid sandstone masonry curved wall, with elements like a circular skylight and curved timber openings echoing these features.