Based in Edinburgh and Inverness, LDN Architects is a limited liability partnership of six equal partners supported by a talented and creative team who believe in the transformative potential of excellent design. The partners are hands-on and lead each project from inception to completion.
We work with a wide variety of clients including public bodies, private sector organisations, charitable trusts, community groups and private individuals.
Most of our team have worked with LDN long term and many are recognised for their specialist expertise in aspects of architectural design and delivery including conservation, education, performing arts, sustainable design, and BIM. All are encouraged to deliver to the best of their abilities and to develop all aspects of their professional skills both within and outside LDN.
Our Bread Street studio, designed by us, was developed from the shell of a redundant warehouse and is considered to be one of the greenest office developments in Edinburgh. Its open plan encourages teamwork and good communications and is an inspiring place in which to work creatively. In Inverness we are lucky enough to work our recently completed project for Scottish Canals, in the Carse Hub. We remain well placed to deliver projects throughout the Highlands and Islands.
LDN Architects was established in Edinburgh as Law & Dunbar-Nasmith Architects on 1 April 1957 by Graham Law and James Dunbar-Nasmith, former employees of Robert Matthew. The practice expanded and opened a second office in Forres in 1975 and in the 1980s it became The Law & Dunbar-Nasmith Partnership. In the early 1990s the practice expanded again and opened an office in Germany; Hilger, Law & Dunbar-Nasmith. The German office was closed in the late 1990s and in 2003, after the retiral of Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, the practice was renamed LDN Architects, a name which acknowledges our origins and history and reflects our evolution into a much broader partnership since then.
In its early years the practice gained a reputation for the design of modernist housing including the Ochlochy housing estate in Dunblane and the private Leuchie House and Upper Exbury which ultimately led to the commission to design Sunninghill Park for the Duke and Duchess of York in the 1980s. During this period, the practice was also responsible for the design of the landmark Hepworth and Epstein exhibitions for the Edinburgh International Festival.
During the 1970s the practice was responsible for the design of the seminal Eden Court and Pitlochry Festival Theatres and, in the 1990s, the design of the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, a project which firmly established LDN’s reputation for meticulous conservation complemented by creative contemporary design. The Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock is our latest building for the performing arts and maintains our exemplary reputation in this area.
Throughout its history the practice has also been at the forefront of the conservation movement, responsible for major projects including the restoration of Fort George in the 1980s, Newhailes in the 1990s and, most recently, Abbotsford and the Piece Hall.
In the 2000s our expertise has expanded to include a number of award-winning education projects for schools and universities, usually involving the revitalisation of historic buildings which were considered no longer fit for purpose.
The practice has always nurtured talent from within its staff and is currently led by seven equal partners supported by a skilled and creative team who all believe in the transformative potential of excellent design.
LDN is always interested in hearing from talented people who share our commitment to architectural quality and who are keen to work with us on challenging projects. We aim to offer excellent work experience in a supportive, hard-working environment that values both individual skill and shared responsibility.
If you are interested in working with us, please write to Ángel Morales-Aguilar in Edinburgh or Stuart MacKellar in Inverness with a CV and some illustrations of your work.
We are currently recruiting for our Inverness office. Please see the journal section of our website for more information.