Business Details
Award-Winning Architectural Solutions in Edinburgh
City Architecture Office is an award-winning architectural practice based in Edinburgh, Scotland, renowned for its thoughtful and innovative design approach. With a diverse portfolio spanning domestic, commercial, education, transport, and community projects, we prioritise creating clear, elegant architecture that enhances quality of life. Our team combines over two decades of collective experience, delivering high-quality work across varying budgets while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and detail-oriented design.We collaborate with clients such as Whiteburn Projects, Kingdom Housing Association, and London Underground, ensuring each project adds value beyond professional fees. Our practice holds RIBA chartered status and has earned recognition for excellence in design, including accolades from Building Design magazine. We focus on contextual sensitivity, energy efficiency, and integrating modern solutions into historic settings, serving both public and private sectors across the UK and internationally.
Services
Housing Design
Transport Architecture
Education Facilities
Commercial Projects
Community Development
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of experience in architectural design across diverse sectors.
- Our team includes RIBA-registered architects with expertise in historic and modern projects.
- We prioritise sustainable design with energy-efficient solutions and materials.
- Our practice has delivered award-winning projects for clients like London Underground.
- We maintain a client-focused approach with proven success in complex planning approvals.
Associations and certifications
- RIBA Chartered Practice
Services
Housing Design
We create innovative housing solutions ranging from affordable social housing to luxury private residences. Our designs prioritise energy efficiency, contextual integration, and modern living requirements. Projects include award-winning schemes like Saline Housing and Caerlee Mill redevelopment, demonstrating our ability to balance aesthetic appeal with functional excellence across urban and rural settings.
Transport Architecture
Specialising in transport hubs and public infrastructure, we deliver projects like Paddington Station enhancements and Edinburgh Tram visualisations. Our approach combines operational efficiency with architectural integrity, ensuring seamless integration into historic environments while meeting modern capacity and accessibility standards for major urban transit networks.
Education Facilities
We design inspiring educational environments such as Borthwick Primary School and Fullarton Community Hub. Our work focuses on creating flexible, sustainable spaces that support learning and community engagement. Projects incorporate natural light, energy-efficient systems, and adaptable layouts to meet evolving educational needs in both new builds and heritage contexts.
Commercial Projects
Our commercial architecture includes mixed-use developments like Wadeson Street and Edinburgh Park office schemes. We create functional, aesthetically striking spaces that optimise urban environments while incorporating sustainable features such as solar energy systems, green roofs, and energy-efficient ventilation strategies to reduce long-term operational costs.
Community Development
We transform community assets through projects like Rosyth Community Hub and Drill Hall Arts Centre. Our work preserves historic structures while introducing modern amenities, creating vibrant social spaces that enhance local identity. Solutions integrate renewable energy systems and universal accessibility standards to serve diverse community needs.
People
Tom Robertson Smith
Architect
With over 10 years' experience, Tom specialises in community, sports, and housing projects. He leads initiatives like Saline Housing and Mull Indoor Sports Hub, focusing on sustainability and 3D visualisation. Educated at Dundee University, he contributes to the practice's CPD programme.
Alun Hughes
Consultant
Alun brings 20+ years' expertise in residential and transport architecture, including Crossrail and Tottenham Court Road Station. A RIBA member, he specialises in integrating modern designs with historic infrastructure while maintaining technical excellence in major urban developments.
Moray Royles
Director
Founder of City Architecture Office, Moray has over 20 years' experience across diverse projects. An RIAS Associate and former academic lecturer, he combines teaching expertise with practical implementation of sustainable, context-sensitive designs for clients like Whiteburn Projects.
Questions
What architectural services does City Architecture Office specialise in?
We specialise in housing, transport infrastructure, education facilities, commercial developments, and community projects, with expertise in both modern and heritage contexts.
Do you work on listed buildings or conservation areas?
Yes, we have extensive experience in sensitive locations including listed buildings and conservation areas, as demonstrated by projects like Moore House and Pathead developments.
How does the practice incorporate sustainability into designs?
We integrate energy-efficient systems, super-insulated materials, renewable energy sources, and passive design strategies to achieve carbon reduction targets across all project types.
Can you handle complex urban regeneration projects?
Yes, our team has delivered complex schemes like Edinburgh Park office development and Redcar seafront regeneration, balancing modern requirements with existing urban fabric.
What is your approach to community engagement in projects?
We conduct public consultations and collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure developments meet community needs, as seen in projects like Fullarton Community Hub and Saline housing initiatives.
Do you work internationally?
While primarily UK-focused, we have completed projects internationally, including the Barber-Chenery house in New Zealand and collaborative masterplans for UK clients.
