AHMM win laurels for Edinburgh Park flagship

The decision to use concrete was supported by a sustainability review using the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers Technical Memorandum 52 (CIBSE TM52), on how to avoid overheating when designing a building. The use of exposed concrete instead of plasterboard has reduced summer cooling loads by 38%.

AHMM Associate, Matthew Hart, explained, “Concrete enabled simplicity in terms of fire compartmentation and structural 1 New Park Square is a significant milestone in Parabola’s eco-conscious development of Edinburgh Park. Bespoke terrazzo was designed to conform with the bare concrete aesthetic. The light and airy reception adjoins a public square. efficiencies, and significantly contributed to lowering operational energy. It’s also a self-finished material, which we enjoy aesthetically.”

The judges were particularly impressed by the appearance of the concrete. “The visual impact of the concrete throughout the building is simply stunning. Walking into the main reception to see the exposed concrete being complemented by various forms of art and lighting is refreshing to see… This building should be promoted and celebrated as a best use of concrete within construction.”

Tony Hordon, Managing Director of Parabola, comments, “The pioneering building is leading the way for a net-zero future with all-electric infrastructure, PV arrays on the roof, high ceilings, openable windows, and double-height balconies providing exceptional fresh air circulation.”

AHMM have been proactive in the industry’s journey towards Net Zero, developing their own process to support architects with this goal. The Delivering Net Zero in Use Toolkit was developed in response to a need to coordinate and visualise a projects carbon data across all stages and disciplines of a building project. AHMM presented the toolkit during Solus’ Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 programme.

Solus supplied two bespoke terrazzo, a wall tile called Bright, and Technici Gres 4 in various finishes for grip. The products helped AHMM maintain high sustainability standards; a factor considered by both the Architects’ Journal and the Concrete Society judges.

Solus Area Sales Manager, Pete Toule, commented, “This highprofile, award-winning project was a pleasure to supply. We have a great relationship with AHMM and were able to find products that blended seamlessly with the concrete aesthetic, enhancing the overall design.”

Edinburgh Park is a linear development running north to south; 1 NPS sits at the south end, serviced by the Edinburgh Park Central tram stop, beside a pleasing wetland called Loch Ross. A community garden, a padel court, and a public square designed by Gross Max Architects surround the building.

A colonnade runs around the ground floor on the north, west and south sides, connecting the square to the nearby tram stop. A café, restaurant, and music venue open out onto the new public square which features a specially commissioned bronze sculpture ‘Dancer after Degas’ by William Tucker RA. The work is part of a wider arts trail that includes the recently installed ‘Vulcan’ by Eduardo Paolozzi.