Welcome to GFree Traders, a gluten-free food market in Edinburgh City centre. The building is occupied by Dovecot Studios Ltd. Based on extensive research and investigations into the existing site, I developed a proposal for the design of a gluten-free food market. The design combines hospitality, retail and education creating a multifunctional building with the Coeliac food market as the central focus. Visitors have the option of purchasing loose ingredients from the retail area, ordering and collecting hot food from the market stalls or having a more formal dining experience with table service on the balcony. There is also a cookery class and learning space for those who want to get advice on how to alter their diets. For the overall design, I have used mainly industrial materials such as hardwood, steel and polished concrete. These contrast with the materials used in the main market space which are smooth; both in appearance and in a tactile sense. These materials include fabric, HPL, glass and tiles. My project meets the aims of the course as it shows the progress of my work and the process which I have taken to produce an original and creative design scheme which began by developing a concept and an individual project brief.
Elsie Muir Hill
Project description
Concept Background and Initial Research
The project focuses on the theme of hospitality and catering for people who suffer from Coeliac disease. The recording attached is a brief overview of the initial research and various tasks completed to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic. Information from this research was gathered to discover how the different spaces would function and what would be expected from the target demographic for the market.
Located at 10 Infirmary Street Edinburgh, the site was originally occupied by Edinburgh Royal Infirmary which was designed and built by William Adam in 1741. The building remained in use until the 1860s before being demolished in 1884.
Built on the empty site by Robert Morham between 1885-87, Infirmary Street Baths were the first public baths in Edinburgh. The building was designed with two separate pools; a main pool and a ladies baths. The Ladies baths suffered from a fire in November 1960 and was forced to close whilst the remainder of the building was still in use. The main pool and remaining spaces continued to be used before the building officially closed in 1995.
After the baths closed, it was left unoccupied and became derelict due to years of neglect. Prior to demolition, The Dovecot Foundation funded the restoration of the building and opened Dovecot Studios in 2008. Malcolm Fraser Architects were selected to renovate and redesign the building.
The main space of the project consists of both the ground floor and first floor market areas. By removing the flooring in the centre of the space, a void has been created which is supported by edge beams on the ground floor ceiling. The void visually connects both areas. The first floor has been designed to have the kitchen units around the perimeter next to Individual seating areas whilst high seating surrounds two sides of the balcony. This layout allows for a central circulation path on the first floor. The design is replicated on the ground floor except with less kitchen units and central bench seating.
Skills & Experience
- AutoCAD
- SketchUp
- Enscape
- 3Ds Max
- InDesign
- Photoshop
- Model Building
Elsie Muir Hill
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