Submitted on behalf of Viridis Real Estate, RKA’s proposal for a new student accommodation development in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh comprises 134 student rooms – including accessible units – across a ground plus five-storey building with two lower ground floors. The scheme replaces disused industrial buildings with a thoughtfully designed, purpose-built development that enhances the site’s post-industrial character while delivering high-quality living and amenity spaces.

The design includes internal communal facilities across three levels, with shared kitchens and lounges supporting a cluster living model. Residents benefit from two outdoor amenity spaces: a landscaped, south-west-facing garden at ground level and a sheltered sunken courtyard at lower ground, both linked closely to internal amenity areas.

The architectural language of the building draws on the industrial history of the area, with a material palette of red and buff brick, standing seam metal cladding, dark-framed windows, and precast concrete detailing. The roofscape and form contribute to a dynamic yet contextually grounded appearance.