Stafford House
Barnton Avenue
Drem Farm
Woodsome Road
Hermitage Drive
Craiglockhart Terrace
Glebewood
Kilgraston Road
The Lodge
Discover how Frederick Street was restored to calm, proportion and contemporary performance.
In our third YouTube episode, hear directly from Director Architect Tom Armistead as he shares the story behind Frederick Street, a Category A listed apartment in Edinburgh’s New Town, carefully restored from years of unsympathetic alteration.
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.
Hear our client share the brief and the joy of Hermitage Drive.
In our second YouTube episode, hear directly from our client as they share their vision for creating a home that blends timeless Arts and Crafts charm with modern family living. From the initial brief to the stunning final outcome, learn how we reimagined spaces to enhance flow, restored characterful details, and designed a breathtaking extension that balances scale, functionality, and elegance.
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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![A stone house with a slate roof, chimney stacks, and a large bay window, surrounded by a garden with bushes and trees with autumn leaves.]()
Stafford House
2026
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![A cozy living room with a wood stove in the fireplace, decorated with framed artwork, a white vase with dried grass, and a lamp with a beige shade. There are books, a decorative vase, and a small black dog sitting near the blue armchair.]()
Frederick Street
2026
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![A storefront with a large glass window, a wooden door, and attached stone columns. There is a wooden bench in front and a round metal sign attached to the stone column. The scene is lit by warm sunlight.]()
Brougham Place
2025
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![A person riding a bicycle in front of a stone wall, with houses and trees in the background on a cloudy day.]()
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
Discover the story behind Barnton Avenue’s transformation.
In our first YouTube episode, Seán and Tom share their vision for reinventing family living—balancing timeless design, thoughtful functionality, and contemporary needs. Learn how spaces were reimagined, original proportions restored, and essential additions seamlessly integrated to create a calm, harmonious family home.
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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