Paterson’s Land forms part of the University of Edinburgh’s illustrious campus estate. Designed by Alan Robertson (1881-1925) and constructed in 1913 as a purpose-built teacher training centre, the building has retained many of its historic architectural features and as such maintains a category B listing.

Having worked with the University on a number of previous occasions, BLOCK NINE successfully won the project via a competitive tender process.

The brief for the project was for the upgrade of a sequence of rooms on the ground floor of the building which would be used, primarily, as study spaces for students. This included a former library room, kitchen, break-out space and cafeteria.

By working closely with the University and analysing feedback from students, we developed the brief to ensure a variety of study space types could be established. This included:

• Re-purposing the old library with an improved provision of seating options, both formal and informal, which would encourage individual and collaborative learning

• A central break-out space as an informal place to relax and/or study with peers

• Conversion of an existing kitchen into a group study room, where students can book out space for collaborative study

• Re-using the former cafeteria space as a multi-purpose space where students can relax, study and make use of a new “heat and eat” station where food and drink can be prepared.

Contemporary and robust finishes are proposed throughout, with some new interior features such as timber screens and architectural lighting to bring the design proposals together.