Infirmary Street Baths

The main workshop re-uses the main swimming pool space and the public viewing gallery retains the integrity of the original space, this has become a new display area for the work of the studios. Dovecot’s design rooms, offices and supplementary accommodation have been located beneath the gallery space and a yarn library forms a vibrant and colourful visual backdrop to the working studio.
The once subdivided entrance foyer (separate for men and women) has been made into a single welcoming space, and provides direct access to several gallery and exhibition spaces located within the former pools, while two floors of office accommodation are located within and above the ladies pool. The former laundry and boiler house have been altered to form five residential apartments accessed independently from the rest of the building.

Externally the existing stone walls of the original swimming pool are maintained and consolidated to form a robust base course, while new volumes are conceived as simple zinc clad boxes with large glazed elements maximising the qualities of light, space and city views.
The roots of Dovecot Studios go back to 1912, when the fourth Marquess of Bute created a tapestry studio in Corstorphine with the help of two craftsmen who had previously worked with William Morris. The venture worked regularly with artists of a high calibre, among them Stanley Spencer, Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland. Around the turn of the millennium, the seventh Marquess of Bute no longer felt able to lend support to the studios, which were threatened with closure. But with assistance from Alastair and Elizabeth Salvesen the studios were reborn in 2001. And in August 2008, Dovecot moved into its new home - the old Infirmary Street Baths, transformed by Malcolm Fraser Architects.
During exhibition dates the galleries are open to the public and throughout the year the viewing balcony of the weaving studio is open on the first Tuesday morning of the month. Group visits can be pre-arranged. The building offers a variety of spaces suitable for venue hire from private parties, corporate events, small group meetings and training days.

Summary
Occupying the former Infirmary Street Baths, the building underwent a dramatic renovation and is now home to the Dovecot Studios, a specialist contemporary tapestry weaving studio with its own viewing and exhibition balcony , two contemporary gallery spaces, two floors of commercial offices and five apartments; an exciting mix of living, working, exhibiting and making all in one building.
Built in 1885 and designed by Robert Morham as the first public baths in Edinburgh, the Baths continued in use until the 1990’s when they fell into disrepair. Dovecot Studios' reuse and refurbishment of the Baths saves a derelict building that was on the Buildings at Risk Register.

Architect: Malcolm Fraser Architects

"After a long search for open plan studio accommodation within easy reach of Haymarket/Waverley railway stations, Holmes moved into the second floor office accommodation at 10 Infirmary Street in January 2009 after completing our fit-out of the shell accommodation.
We were attracted by the location and by the attractive naturally lit space. Additional benefits were the use of geothermal heating which tied in with our aim to reduce the Practice's carbon footprint and the adaption of an existing building to a new use.
The fit-out was carried out with minimal change to the shell accommodation to create an attractive working studio, where we particularly enjoy the natural light afforded by the north facing glazing to Infirmary Street.
The new accommodation is enjoyed by staff and admired by visitors." Holmes Partnership

“IC:Innovative Craft joined the building when it opened in August 2008 and have been closely involved in initiating and developing a programme of exhibitions and events within the gallery spaces.
We were attracted to the Dovecot building as a fabulous physical space which was aiming to invest in the sustainable future of craft in Scotland - a mission close to the heart of our small community interest company (www.innovativecraft.co.uk)
We have worked in partnership with Dovecot for the past 18 months to evolve an exhibition strategy that works towards this mission and are lucky enough to have an office space at the heart of the building, adjacent to the weaving floor. The office is a well lit glass box with beautiful views to the main Weaving Floor. The quality of the materials (bamboo flooring in the Weaving Floor; porcelain tiles in the galleries) increases the vitality and invitation of the main spaces.
Dovecot as a building is a pleasure to work in - a fantastic re-imagining of a former community swimming pool. The building represents a fabulous contribution to art spaces in Scotland and the UK.”

Located in the heart of a developing cultural quarter in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the renovation of the Dovecot building has created a landmark centre for Dovecot Studios to continue to support the skill of tapestry weaving. The addition of museum quality gallery spaces in the former swimming pools together with 2 floors of office accommodation and five residential apartments provides an inspiring environment in which making, living, learning, working and exhibiting all thrive. The Dovecot building enjoys a low carbon footprint using hemp insulation, sustainable bamboo flooring and a ground source heat pump system to provide heat to the space. Natural light is abundant while the flexibility of the exhibition spaces has already proved itself allowing multi cultural events to take place including film, music and theatre. During Doors Open Day Dovecot welcomed over 2,700 visitors during one day – testament to the interest in the rescue and conversion of these once derelict historic swimming baths and to the growing interest in the Dovecot building from both visitors and those who work there as an international centre for arts, craftsmanship and contemporary design.

David Weir
Dovecot Studios