7N win international design contest for UK railway stations
We are proud to be selected from over 200 international entries as the winners of the Network Rail and RIBA Re-Imagining Railways design competition.
The contest sought architects, engineers and designers from across the world to reimagine how small to medium-size stations can improve the travel experience of the millions of passengers who use Britain’s railway.
Our winning entry considers the needs of passengers and local communities. An eye-catching clock tower serves a civic purpose as a local landmark and meeting place for social activities. Sweeping canopies provide shelter for passengers and station facilities. The modular station design can be integrated into a variety of locations that complement the local landscape.
Panel members thought the winning concept had been cleverly pared back to create an open and flexible system which, with minimum component parts, would transform people’s experience of the station whilst aligning with Network Rail’s aspirations to be carbon neutral by 2050. The design incorporates the capacity to generate renewable energy to provide most of the stations’ power by using translucent photo-voltaic canopies which provide shelter from rain and dappled shade.
The 7N-led team including Arup, Gardiner and Theobald and Lisa Mackenzie Landscape Architect will now work closely with Network Rail to develop the proposals in further detail. Watch this space!
“This competition offered a unique opportunity to reimagine what a railway station can be in the 21st century, creating an environment that better serves the passengers and communities who rely on the British railway network and leave a lasting legacy on station design. I would like to congratulate 7N Architects on their winning entry and I look forward to seeing how they will bring their design to life.” - Anthony Dewar, Head of Buildings and Architecture at Network Rail
“7N’s winning proposal showed a confident expression and understanding of the opportunity to celebrate our local identities, the specificity and integration with our urban and rural landscapes, and the strength of our national identity through our railway infrastructure.”
– Lucy Musgrave OBE, Publica and member of judging panel
“This is a highly innovative, compelling and forward-thinking solution that will have a hugely-positive impact on future station design”
– Alan Jones, RIBA President
_“7N Architects’ innovative concept puts passengers right at the heart of its deisgn, from the sweeping canopies providing shelter from the elements and generating power, to the station’s frontage servicing as a local landmark. Harnessing creative and forward thinking ideas like this will be a game-changer when it comes to designing stations of the future that deliver a first class experience for all passengers. I look forward to seeing this become a reality”
– Chris Heaton-Harris, Rail Minister
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible year at 7N Architects, filled with milestones and achievements.
To our clients, collaborators, and friends: thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a joyful festive season and a happy new year.
Below are some highlights from a transformative year for our studio:
+ We completed our transition to an Employee Owned Trust, expanding our management team to reflect the growing studio;
+ Planning approval was secured for 7,000 new homes at our West Town masterplan, an exciting step toward delivering this significant project;
+ A number of major projects completed, including: New Eidyn, Rowanbank Gardens, and Temple Park Crescent;
+ Our University of Glasgow masterplan continued to win multiple awards in recognition of its positive impact on Glasgow;
+ Transformative projects at Ferry Road, Inverlair Avenue, and Fraser Avenue Phase 3, all successfully received planning permissions and are moving towards construction;
+ The HUB Station design for Network Rail continues to gather steam with a number of enquiries for new train stations.
And there’s even more that we’d love to share, though some projects have to remain under wraps for now.
Here’s to an even more exciting 2025!
Images:
1- @neweidyn lobby, photo by 7N Architects
2- West Town masterplan, visualation by @daakostudio
3- @rowanbankgardens, photo by @leoparedesphoto
4- Temple Park Crescent, photo by @willscottphoto
5- University of Glasgow, photo by @lucinsider
6- Ferry Road, visualation by @daakostudio
7- Inverlair Avenue, visualation by @daakostudio
8- HUB Station, visual by @wyrd_tree
Abellio East Anglia, @aecom, Ardent, @artisan_real_estate, @arupgroup, Buccleuch, @calahomes, @campionhomes, @cbre, @ccg_scotland, Clyde Gateway, @crudenhomes, Drum Property Group, @edinburghnapier, @edinburgh_council, @workingatforthports, @goodbrotherswinecellars, HFD, @holyrooddistillery, @kingdomhousingassociation, L&G, M&G, Mac Mic, @mnmdevelopments, @livethemodalife, @nativeland_ltd, @networkrail, @rettieandco, @s1developments, @shelborn_am, Shetland Islands Council, Stamford Property, @thesocialhub, @uofglasgow, @westmidlandsrailway
West Town neighbourhood of 7,000 homes given green light by Edinburgh Council
We are delighted to announce that the City of Edinburgh’s Planning Committee has unanimously approved the Planning Permission in Principle planning application for our West Town masterplan. Many years in development, this 205-acre project will help to significantly tackle Edinburgh’s well publicised housing emergency with 7,000 new homes and mixed-uses. As our client, Graeme Bone, has commented: “We now have the once-in-a-generation opportunity to make West Town an exemplar, sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood on a par with the best new developments taking place anywhere across the UK and Europe.”
With many thanks to our client Drum Property Group and the incredible efforts of the project team.
@avison_young_uk
@wspuk
@optimisedenvironmentsltd
@gt_llp
@edinburgh_council
Donald Anderson
Visualisation by @daakostudio
Re-instating the tenement street edge
Located on the site of a former garage, our Temple Park Crescent project revitalises a rare city-centre brownfield site while addressing the need for housing in central Edinburgh.
The building’s design carefully re-establishes the traditional tenement street edge, while offering contemporary living spaces that capitalise on open views of the Union Canal. The apartments feature open-plan layouts with large, full-height windows that maximise natural light and provide expansive views. A thoughtfully selected palette of materials and colours creates a cohesive identity, harmonising with the character of both Merchiston’s section of the Union Canal and the broader Edinburgh context.
Temple Park Crescent adheres to Edinburgh City Council’s design guidelines. Over 50% of the homes are dual-aspect, and 20% of the development is dedicated to affordable housing.
Now that residents are have moved-in, it is great to see this streetscape returned to its original character and people enjoying their new homes.
@s1developments
@harleyhaddow
@wardellarmstrong_llp
@atelier_ten
The Keenan Consultancy
AOC Archaelogogy Group
Geovia
Kaya Consulting
Donal Roger Associates
Tay Ecology
Photographs by @willscottphoto
Unlocking a problematic brownfield site to create new homes and repair a street edge
Temple Park Crescent is a residential project of 46 new homes for S1 Developments and C-urb, including both affordable and family housing. Replacing a disused canal-front garage site in Merchiston, Edinburgh, the development repairs a long-standing gap in the tenement streetscape.
The new homes are designed to support flexible family living, featuring a shared canal-front garden and grow space. The design incorporates sustainable technologies, including a rooftop air-source heat pump array and heat recovery systems, aimed at managing energy efficiency and supporting low-impact living for the residents.
Active travel has been prioritised with secure cycle storage facilities conveniently located near communal entrances. In alignment with city-centre planning policies, car parking spaces have been minimised to encourage sustainable transportation options.
Completed last summer, this project is a great example of how to our city-centre infill sites can be developed in sensitive and sustainable ways.
@s1developments
@harleyhaddow
@wardellarmstrong_llp
@atelier_ten
The Keenan Consultancy
AOC Archaelogogy Group
Geovia
Kaya Consulting
Donal Roger Associates
Tay Ecology
Photographs by @willscottphoto
7N Architects are delighted to share that this week marked the completion of our New Eidyn project at Edinburgh St James.
New Eidyn is the product of a close partnership with internationally recognised residential developers Native Land, on behalf of clients Nuveen Real Estate and their development partner Queensberry Properties.
The result is an exceptional set of 152 homes across three pavilion buildings, sitting atop of the £1bn St James Quarter in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre.
This project has been a delight to work on and we are enormously grateful to all who have contributed along the way. Particular thanks goes to our collaborators on this journey: @nativeland_ltd @nativelandlifestyle @nuveeninv @gt_llp @beck_scotland @beckinteriors @hudsonandmercerdesign @optimisedenvironmentsltd @wallace.whittle David Stanley Associates, and Thomas and Adamson.
Photograph by @zac.and.zac
7N Architects are proud that our Jordanhill project was one of just four projects shortlisted in the Residential category at the Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards last night. We are delighted to be recognised alongside such exemplary work.
Congratulations to the winners, JM Architects and Elder & Cannon on their projects at St Andrews Drive and Botany Corner, and for the @glasgowinstituteofarchitects for arranging the event.
@calahomes
@simpsonandbrown
@goodsonassociates
Hulley & Kirkwood
Photograph by @davidbarbour
A sustainable and inclusive living environment
Jordanhill Park is a reflection of the growing emphasis on brownfield regeneration by the house-builder market. The principles of NPF4 are embedded through measures that help implement climate resilience, ecological enhancement, and the sustainable reuse of land, in ways that support both biodiversity and compact urban growth.
• People-first design: Streets and spaces that prioritise residents.
• Enriched green spaces: Expanded and accessible parkland, with significant new tree planting.
• Respect for heritage: New buildings that complement the Grade-B listed David Stow Building’s historic character.
• Thoughtful materials: Tones and textures chosen to harmonise with the existing architecture, ensuring longevity in our interventions.
This expansive project typifies 7N’s commitment to placemaking that delivers value for people, nature, and the future. Many years in the making, it is great to reach this stage so that we can take a moment to pause and reflect on what has been achieved with our client, @calahomes.
@simpsonandbrown
@goodsonassociates
Hulley & Kirkwood
Photographs by @davidbarbour
Preserving history and creating strong new connections
Our masterplan for 406 homes at Jordanhill Park, developed in close collaboration with CALA Homes West, is shaped around the Grade-B listed David Stow Building, a landmark with its iconic copper towers. Now thoughtfully restored and repurposed, this building remains central to the site’s identity and has been safeguarded for future generations through careful refurbishment, which has been made possible by the surrounding new-build development.
The new homes are designed to harmonize with the landscape and the historic structures. Terraced townhouses create shared streets that frame views of the natural surroundings and connect to a central linear park. Detached houses form a permeable edge around the site, offering expansive views across the city, while the apartment buildings are nestled among mature trees, designed to feel like contemporary pavilions within the landscape.
@simpsonandbrown
@goodsonassociates
Hulley & Kirkwood
Photographs by @davidbarbour
Aerial photograph by @calahomes
Jordanhill Park: New Homes in an Historic Parkland
As we continue our series on recent residential projects, we are pleased to share an update on our collaboration with CALA Homes West at the former Jordanhill College campus in Glasgow’s West End.
The historic parkland setting has been reimagined as a vibrant neighbourhood with 406 homes, including townhouses, apartments, and detached houses. Two historic buildings on the site have also been carefully restored and reconfigured to ensure they are safeguarded for future generations.
Over 200 homes are now complete, and we’re excited to share new photographs of this unique development in the coming days.
@calahomes
@simpsonandbrown
@goodsonassociates
Hulley & Kirkwood
Photographs by @davidbarbour
Site Plan by 7N Architects
Touching Lightly on the Ground
Offering a diverse range of detached villas and terraced townhouses, our Edmonstone Woods development presents a harmonious blend of family-friendly living spaces. Each home type is characterised by a palette of natural and durable materials that echo the tones and textures of the surrounding landscape.
The mix of housing has been developed with a focus on family living, with all proposed houses providing four bedrooms. Living areas are strategically positioned to maximise views into surrounding woodland, or across Little France Park and towards Arthur’s Seat. Every home benefits from private gardens and access to high-quality shared amenity spaces
The team have really enjoyed working on these proposals and we look forward to seeing progress over the next stages and into 2025.
Scott Hobbs Planning Limited
@lucinsider
@atelier_ten
Will Rudd
@rettieandco
Visualisations by @7n.architects
Living in the Woodland
7N’s proposal for 27 family homes within Edmonstone Woods thoughtfully integrates the residences into the natural landscape, offering a distinct living experience. Each home is designed to harmonise with the woodland surroundings, ensuring high standards of quality, comfort, and accessibility in an immersive, nature-focused setting
The complex array of constraints necessitated careful planning to avoid disturbance to mature trees, ancient woodland, as well as the footprint of the historic Edmonstone House and remnants of its stables. As a result, the proposed homes are sensitively integrated into the woodland, arranged along two pedestrian-focused streets and offering extensive views of the surrounding trees. Vehicle movements are carefully controlled around the perimeter of the site, minimizing disruption to the natural setting and prioritizing active travel options for residents.
Scott Hobbs Planning Limited
@lucinsider
@atelier_ten
Will Rudd
@rettieandco
Drawings & photograph by @7n.architects
Edmonstone Woods – Sensitive Housing within a Unique Setting
7N Architects have submitted fresh proposals for Phase 5 of the Edmonstone Masterplan in South West Edinburgh on behalf of a private investor client, which will create 27 family homes within the distinctive woodland setting of Edmonstone Woods.
The proposals have been developed in response to changing market demands, from an earlier apartment-led scheme, to one with a lighter touch within this unique site. The approach sensitively nestles the new homes within the woodland environment to create a forest community that is woven into the existing network of woodland trails. The layout of the site and the landscape design, developed with LUC, addresses a complex array of existing conditions, which required careful responses to mature trees, ancient woodland, an interpretation of the footprint of the historic Edmonstone House, as well as the remnants of its former stables buildings.
Scott Hobbs Planning
@lucinsider
@atelier_ten
Will Rudd
Visualisations by @daakostudio