Among many other artefacts at Victoria Terrace, a map of Scotland has plotted completed projects over the years.  The map is not exhaustive, but still travels to Highlands and islands.  Interestingly, when looking at the furthest to the North and South BTA have ventured (on this map), both projects venture back to the Neolithic Period. Skaill House at Skara Brae, …

An illustration summarising a study led by BTA for The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, illustrated by the Union of Genius, a famous café and part of a tenement block.   The conclusion is that it is possible to reduce the carbon footprint of existing buildings, but it is difficult.  ‘Dynamic Simulation Modelling’ by Harley Haddow suggested that energy expenditure costed …

At BTA, we think the super ellipse is super! We believed it to be created by Piet Hein (Danish poet and polymath) to solve a design problem for Sergels Torg traffic intersection in Stockholm, but it was actually first created by the mathematician, Gabriel Lamé, in C.19th France.  It is the perfect combination of a rectangle and an ellipse and makes …

The seagullls are flying playfully in the wind, having been installed yesterday.  Perfect to while away some time looking at their movement.  The finial, designed by Benjamin Tindall Architects with blacksmith Alan Dawson and his workshop, was inspired by George Wyllie’s work, an artist much admired by our client.

From Masterplan to Reality – Jupiter Artland collaboration, a talk by Ben Tindall on Tuesday 19th April, 6-8pm at Edinburgh University for the Friends of Edinburgh University Visual Artists. Ben will take you through the process of working with the owners of Jupiter Artland, from initial concepts to the finished Visitor Facilities and changes to the main house. Ben is …

Ben prepares the ends of a hemp rope handrail for a project at the West Coast.  The maritime theme is also featured in the bronze brackets, based on bladderwrack seaweed.  The project is nearing completion, just in time for our lovely clients who will be tying their own knot.

Ben will give a talk on ‘Working collaboratively with clients, artists and craftspeople and the achievements of Jupiter Artland’ for the Falkland Society on Wednesday, 9 March, at 7.00 p.m.

We are saddened and appalled by the current senseless conflict and tragic loss of life in Ukraine, and also horrified by the destruction of Cultural Property.  Russia is a signatory of the UNESCO 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.  Although Russia has a duty to uphold the Convention, it seems to have forgotten this …

In Canada the Robertson drive has been standard for more than 100 years. After the slotted screw it is a great improvement on other systems as it is very strong and the taper of the slot allows for great ease in use. It’s also beautiful! https://www.leolafasteners.com/blogs/news/which-screw-drive-is-best-star-phillips-or-square-how-about-a-combo https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/robertson-screwdriver-history/

We are delighted to be chosen as the Architects to support the Tim Stead Trust to develop and deliver work to the Steading to inspire future generations in creativity and environmental sustainability.  Tim Stead‘s House is a very special and unique Gesamtkunstwerk in Blainslie, near Lauder.   We had a long and convivial meeting around the dining table a source of …