Melbourne Road
Kinnear Road
Stafford House
Barnton Avenue
Drem Farm
Craiglockhart Terrace
Kilgraston Road
Frederick Street
Woodsome Road
Hermitage Drive
Glebewood
The Lodge
About
Somner Macdonald Architects is a residential architecture practice founded in 1993.
With over three decades of experience, we are architects of bespoke homes shaped by clarity, care and a deep understanding of place. Across Edinburgh and East Lothian, from generous garden plots to expansive rural settings, our work reflects a confident, long-term vision, designed to endure.
We specialise in expressive yet restrained architecture: substantial homes that feel calm, coherent and attuned to modern domestic life. We consider architecture, interiors and landscape together, shaping every project through a considered process and close collaboration with clients, craftspeople and consultants alike.
Experts in listed buildings, heritage sites and complex planning contexts across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Perthshire, we bring deep local knowledge and a respectful approach to every brief. We relish the opportunity to create something new, whether through a whole-house restoration, an ambitious extension or a bespoke new build, with purpose, precision and lasting value.
Melbourne Road
A coastal home reunited in North Berwick.
In this film, Seán and Tom discuss reuniting two seafront flats as a single home in North Berwick. Moving through the rooms reveals how coastal light, bespoke oak joinery and a sculptural staircase shape the experience of living by the sea.
Kinnear Road
A lasting relationship. A new chapter at home.
Seán and Tom reflect on a longstanding client relationship and the transformation of an Edinburgh bungalow for a new chapter of life. The film brings their decisions into focus, showing how light, proportion and connected spaces create a home shaped around its owner.
Frederick Street
Restoring character in Edinburgh’s New Town.
Director Architect Tom Armistead shares the story of restoring a Category A listed apartment in Edinburgh’s New Town. Through his reflections and a closer look at materials and details, the film reveals the care behind its Georgian proportions, contemporary comfort and renewed sense of calm.
Hermitage Drive
Arts and Crafts character, reimagined for family life.
Hear our client describe the brief and the pleasure of living in their transformed home. Moving between the original Arts and Crafts rooms, contemporary extension and garden, the film captures how thoughtful architecture supports family life and gives familiar spaces a new sense of possibility.
Barnton Avenue
A fresh perspective on family living.
Seán and Tom share the thinking behind Barnton Avenue and a fresh approach to family living. Their conversation, alongside views through the home and into the garden, reveals how natural materials, thoughtful planning and carefully connected spaces shape the rhythm of everyday life.
Projects
Whether breathing new life into a historic building or designing something entirely new, we specialise in unlocking the potential of every site across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Perthshire. Our work integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, combining innovative solutions with a respectful understanding of context, character and place.
Alongside our selected projects, our Index offers a wider view of our work, reflecting three decades of residential expertise and our legacy as one of Scotland’s longest-established architecture practices.
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Melbourne Road
2026
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Kinnear Road
2026
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![A large, multi-story house with stone walls, multiple chimneys, and a curved balcony, surrounded by trees with fall foliage and a well-maintained grassy lawn.]()
Stafford House
2026
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![Living room with a wood-burning stove, framed artwork, and various decorative items including a vase with dried grass and framed pictures on a mantel. Warm lighting from wall sconces and table lamps, and a black-and-white cat sitting on a small table indicates a cozy, decorated space.]()
Frederick Street
2026
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![A wooden bench in front of a storefront with a stone and wood door, and a large window displaying plants inside. The sidewalk is concrete and the scene is lit by sunlight.]()
Brougham Place
2025
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![A stone house with a sloped roof, multiple chimneys, and some chimneys on the roof. There is a tall streetlamp in front of the house and trees behind. A person wearing a teal helmet riding a scooter is blurred in motion along the street.]()
Kilgraston Road
2025
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![Modern brick house corner with arched white doors, a small garden, and a stone walkway.]()
Barnton Avenue
2024
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![Modern house with large glass windows, brick terrace, and surrounding garden.]()
Hermitage Drive
2024
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![Modern staircase with wooden paneling, leading to built-in bookshelves at the top. The shelves hold books and decorative items, including a plant.]()
Craiglockhart Terrace
2021
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![Modern brick house with large windows, sliding glass door, and lush garden.]()
Woodsome Road
2022
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![Modern kitchen interior with stone wall, pendant light, and sleek cabinetry featuring an induction cooktop. Wooden flooring and an adjacent living room are visible.]()
Drem Farm
2024
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![Modern kitchen interior with black island, minimalist decor, dark hanging light, open shelving, houseplants, and light wood flooring.]()
North Park Terrace
2024
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![Modern kitchen with green cabinets, wooden floors, and two green support columns, featuring large windows overlooking a garden.]()
Seaview Crescent
2024
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![Modern living room with two gray sofas facing each other, colorful pillows, a geometric patterned carpet, a central glass coffee table, a fireplace with art above, built-in bookshelves, and large windows.]()
Moray Place
2016
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![Modern exterior door with brown panels and stone building facade, surrounded by a stone pathway and small garden.]()
Abbotsford Park
2015
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![Wooden wall paneling with vertical slats and recessed lighting; geometric patterned floor tiles.]()
Links Road
2024
CONTACT
Your home should reflect your life: its rhythms, routines and aspirations.
With studios in Edinburgh and East Lothian, we bring decades of residential expertise to substantial home projects. Whether you’re planning a whole-house restoration, a bespoke new build on a generous plot or an ambitious extension, we offer thoughtful guidance rooted in local knowledge, heritage and contemporary design.
Explore our work in Edinburgh and East Lothian, alongside our growing presence in Perthshire and established network of trusted collaborators. Share your project with us via our enquiry form, and a member of our team will be in touch within two business days.
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