Contemporary mews houses with reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding along a cobblestone street.

A row of contemporary mews houses with a mix of reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding, featuring wooden garage doors along a cobblestone street.

A modern building exterior featuring a combination of brick and red zinc materials. The structure includes a garage with a partially open door revealing a car inside. The upper level has large windows and is clad in red zinc, contrasting with the brick facade.
A modern building exterior featuring a combination of reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding with large windows.
A modern building exterior featuring a combination of reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding. The structure includes large windows and a sloped roof. In the foreground, there are bare tree branches and some greenery.
A contemporary building with red zinc cladding and reclaimed brick facade, surrounded by greenery.
A quiet cobblestone street lined with brick buildings, featuring a modern red zinc addition on the upper level. The street is bordered by a stone wall and a wooden utility pole with overhead wires. Trees and greenery are visible in the background.
A modern building with a brick facade and red zinc upper storey, featuring large windows and wooden garage doors. A person stands with a bicycle in front of one of the entrances.
A modern building facade featuring a combination of reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding. The lower part includes a garage door and a main entrance door, both framed with timber cladding. A bicycle is parked in front of the garage. The upper section has large windows with warm interior lighting visible.
Exterior view of a modern building featuring a brick facade with a wooden garage door and a recessed entrance. The upper section has a red zinc roof with large windows.
Close-up view of a building facade featuring reclaimed brickwork and vertical timber cladding.
A close-up view of a brick wall corner with adjacent wooden paneling and cobblestone pavement.
A view of a small outdoor courtyard featuring a stone wall and a modern glass door leading to an interior room with a chair visible inside.
A modern interior space featuring a wooden staircase with a white metal balustrade leading to an upper level. The area is bright, with natural light coming from large glass doors that open to a small courtyard. There is a potted plant visible in the courtyard.
A modern interior space featuring a hallway with a skylight, light wood flooring, and a staircase with a white metal railing. A dining area with a wooden table and chairs is visible in the background.
A modern interior hallway featuring a wooden bench with cushions, a small potted plant on a stand, and a coat hanging on the wall. The hallway leads to a staircase with wooden steps and a metal railing.
A modern interior space featuring a wooden staircase with white railings leading to an upper level. The area is well-lit with natural light coming from a glass door that opens to an outdoor courtyard. The courtyard includes a chair and potted plants, with a red zinc wall and exposed brick visible.
A modern living room with minimalist decor, featuring a large abstract painting on the wall, a low coffee table with books and decor items, a woven chair, and a sliding glass door leading to an outdoor patio with plants.
A minimalist living room featuring a dark, plush sofa, a light wooden chair, a low coffee table, and a large abstract painting on the wall. The room has a potted plant, a floor lamp, and a large window allowing natural light to enter.
A modern interior space featuring a staircase with wooden steps and white railings, a green sofa, and a coffee table. The room has light-colored flooring and walls, with a hallway leading to a door with natural light coming through.
A minimalistic bedroom with a bed, a wooden chair, a small table with a vase, and a piece of abstract art on the wall. A large round pendant light hangs from the ceiling.
A bedroom interior with a large glass sliding door opening to a small courtyard. The room features a neatly made bed with a green quilt, a bedside table with a lamp, and a piece of abstract artwork on the wall. The courtyard outside has a stone wall and red metal elements.
A minimalist interior space featuring a wooden chair with a blanket draped over it, a small side table, a coffee table, and a large abstract painting on the wall. The room has a large window with a view of an outdoor courtyard.
Interior view of a modern living space with a sliding glass door leading to a small courtyard. The courtyard features a bench, potted plants, and red zinc cladding on the walls.
Interior view of a modern home featuring a hallway with wooden flooring and a skylight. The hallway leads to a dining area with a table and chairs, and large windows provide natural light. A staircase with a white metal railing is visible.
A minimalist dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a pendant light above, and large windows providing natural light.
A minimalist interior space featuring a wooden dining table with chairs and a bench, a pendant lamp, and a skylight above. The space is bright with light-colored wooden flooring and a red panel on the right side.
A modern kitchen interior with minimalist design, featuring a central island with a wooden stool, light-colored cabinetry, and a built-in oven. A large window provides natural light, and a plant is visible outside.
A minimalist interior space featuring a wooden dining table with chairs, a pendant light, and a small potted plant on the floor. The room has light-colored wooden flooring and a simple, clean design.
A modern kitchen interior with a minimalist design featuring a central island, sleek cabinetry, and built-in appliances.
Interior view of a modern kitchen with a large window overlooking an outdoor terrace. The kitchen features sleek cabinetry and a light-colored countertop. The terrace has a red exterior wall and outdoor seating.
Interior view of a modern space featuring a skylight with wooden beams, a minimalist artwork on the wall, and a white railing.
A minimalist interior space featuring a small wooden desk with a chair, a lamp, a vase with flowers, and a laptop. A piece of abstract art hangs on the wall above the desk. The room has light wood flooring and a large window on the right side.
A minimalist bedroom with a large window, a bed with a textured white quilt, a small wooden side table, a modern lamp, and a piece of abstract art on the wall. A spherical light fixture hangs from the ceiling.
A modern bathroom with gray stone tiles, a wall-mounted sink, a backlit mirror, and a potted plant.
A modern bathroom with a minimalist design featuring a bathtub, a wall-mounted sink, and a heated towel rail. The walls are partially tiled with small vertical tiles and larger stone tiles.
Floor plans of two plots showing ground and first floors with various rooms and spaces.
Floor plan of a two-story house showing the layout of rooms and spaces.
Floor plan of a two-story house showing the layout of rooms including a living room, principal bedroom, ensuite, WC, store, garage, utility, courtyard, kitchen and dining room, two additional bedrooms, family bathroom, store, and roof terrace.
Architectural section drawing of a residential building featuring multiple levels, including a garage, living spaces, and bedrooms. The drawing shows interior details such as furniture and plants.

Story

Reimagining Urban Living in Edinburgh Canon Mews represents a thoughtful reimagining of the traditional mews house, situated in the historic context of Edinburgh's Canonmills. This architect-led development by Pend transforms a constrained brownfield site into two three-bedroom homes, each wrapped around a private courtyard. Drawing inspiration from Tadao Ando’s Row House, the design employs internal courtyards and terraces to maximize light and privacy, creating a serene urban retreat. The homes are constructed with reclaimed bricks, meticulously cleaned and reassembled, preserving the site's historical narrative. Complemented by red zinc on the upper storey, the material palette offers a warm, contemporary contrast. Internally, the spaces are designed with robust materials like porcelain tiles and solid timber, ensuring durability and comfort. Each home includes generous living areas, integrated garages, and energy-efficient features such as solar PV and EV charging, making them both sustainable and desirable.

## Design Highlights

Private outdoor courtyards providing natural light and privacy Use of reclaimed bricks and red zinc for a rich material palette Integrated garages and generous living spaces Energy-efficient features including solar PV and EV charging Inspired by Tadao Ando’s Row House with internal courtyards

## Key Facts

Detail Information
Location Edinburgh, Scotland
Construction Start October 2025
Completion January 2026
Gross Internal Floor Area 265 square metres
Construction Cost £775,000
Main Contractor Gloss Projects
Structural Engineer Harley Haddow
Photographer Lorenzo Zandri

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • flooring: The ground floor is finished in a robust porcelain tile with underfloor heating.
  • wall: The walls feature a combination of reclaimed brick and red zinc cladding.

Materials

  • brick — Facade construction using reclaimed bricks.
  • zinc — Cladding for the upper storey and roofline.
  • timber — Cladding for garages and entrance vestibules.
  • porcelain — Flooring on the ground floor.

Construction / Systems

  • structural: Constructed as a highly insulated timber frame.

Products

  • energy — solar PV (Energy efficiency)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: red, natural wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural light is maximized through large windows and internal courtyards.

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