BACK FROM THE BRINK
Following narrow escapes from property developers, Lamb’s House in Leith was brought back to life by architects Nicholas Groves-Raines and Kristín Hannesdóttir, says Alison Gibb
Lamb's House in Leith has been painstakingly restored
‘It was acknowledged as one of the finest examples of merchant houses in Leith’
When conservation architects Nicholas Groves-Raines and Kristín Hannesdóttir took on Lamb’s House in 2010, it was a shadow of its former self. With flaking walls, a ramshackle garden, modern roof tiles, a 1960s lift shaft, and concrete blocks concealing original features, it was a far cry from the grand 16th-century building that hanseatic merchant Andrew Lamb had constructed.
From its affluent beginnings it was acknowledged as one of the finest examples of merchant houses in Leith and started off life as a block of six separate units, built speculatively by the Lamb family.
‘The Lambs aimed to lease the flats to the wealthy merchants who travelled into Leith,’ explains Kristín. ‘Their family homes would have typically been in the centre of Edinburgh, further inland, or in the surrounding countryside.’ The Lamb family are said to have entertained Mary, Queen of Scots, at the site upon her return from France in 1561 – so it’s safe to assume the original build was pretty spectacular.
Taking a turn for the worse in the 1930s, the house fell into a state of disrepair and was inhabited by working class families in dire living conditions. Saved from demolition in 1938 by the 4th Marquess of Bute, the house underwent extensive repairs and was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1958.
But with the Trust being overburdened and strapped for cash, it was subsequently leased out as a day centre for the elderly. During the 1930s and 70s, many of the original features had been cemented up, or unceremoniously ripped out.
When Nicholas and Kristín – managing director and director of Groves-Raines Architects Ltd, respectively – learned that property developers would soon be let loose on the A-listed building, they were determined to re-establish it as a landmark of Leith.
‘Our main aim was to restore the building to its original form as far as possible,’ says Kristín. ‘We wanted to create a single dwelling with adjoining offices and self-contained guest accommodation rather than the original six small units.’
The couple added an extension to the main house which now acts as a base for their architectural practice, as well as introducing
the pavilion annex (which is available to let) that overlooks the garden – a self-contained, three-storey building with an ogee roof that sits within the curtilage of Lamb’s House. Both were designed with meticulous attention to detail, slotting authentically into the landscape of Lamb’s House, and the antique interiors complement the period of the main residence.
The exterior of Lamb’s House was given a makeover, and painstaking care was taken to ensure the original character of the building was retained; salvaged roof tiles did this magnificently, and the crow-stepped gable, which is likely to have been inspired during Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s era, was also retained. Extensive work on the surrounding plot resulted in a Renaissance-style knotted garden, paved with river cobbles and enclosed by wrought iron gates.
Reinjecting the 17th-century charm into Lamb’s House itself, Nicholas and Kristín set about reinvigorating the interiors and architectural details.
Twentieth-century additions like fire doors were swiftly seen off the premises, internal partitions were removed, and cemented fireplaces were uncovered.
With nearby Culross Palace dating back to a similar era, Nicholas and Kristín drew inspiration from the merchant’s palace based in Fife.
‘Many of the materials used in the construction of Culross Palace would have been sourced through their trading with the Low Countries, much like Lamb’s House,’ says Nicholas. As such, traditional half-shuttered windows were put in place throughout the house – a feature that was characteristic of the period when glass was heavily taxed.
Cannon MacInnes, stained glass experts who were
‘Painstaking care was taken to ensure the original character of the building was retained’
instrumental in the restoration of Stirling Castle, were charged with the task of replacing the lattice windows which add an ecclesiastical feel throughout the house.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, the antique table was formerly housed in the ironing room of Holyrood Palace.
Throughout the main living spaces the walls have been painted white, keeping the decor refreshingly simple and allowing the architectural nooks, antique furniture, and the likes of the kilim rugs – purchased from The Nomads Tent in Edinburgh – to sing.
Timber accents were a labour of love for Nicholas and Kristín – 250mm-wide Siberian Larch boards were sourced for the likes of barrel-vaulted ceilings and the floorboards, a feature that is present in the attic bedroom, which is painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘India Yellow’.
Some modern creature comforts were installed, including underfloor heating – an element that the couple insists is a must-have when living in period homes.
In terms of design, one of the only contemporary additions to Lamb’s House was Kristín’s own artwork, which she painted during a stint at Edinburgh College of Art. ‘I took some time out of architecture in the 1990s and studied painting,’ says Kristín. ‘It was a quiet period in our practice, and I welcomed the refreshing change of discipline.’
The husband and wife duo, who met when reading architecture in Edinburgh, have dedicated their entire professional careers to the restoration and conservation of properties, ‘evicting pigeons from derelict buildings’, as they put it.
Having been instrumental in reinvigorating much of Scotland’s architectural heritage – including the likes of Peffermill House, Liberton House, East Lothian’s Fenton Tower and Perthshire’s Forter Castle – adding Lamb’s House to their portfolio seemed a natural progression.
Their efforts with Lamb’s House have unsurprisingly earned them several awards including The Sunday Times British Homes Award for Restoration 2016, The Herald Property Award for Scotland for Best Renovation/Conversion 2016, and The Scottish Design Award for Re-Use of a Listed Building 2016.
Saved from the clutches of a bulldozer on more than one occasion, Lamb’s House has been lovingly restored and is once again a pristine example of a 17th-century Scottish merchant house.
‘Their efforts with Lamb’s House have unsurprisingly earned them several awards’