The Drill Hall Art Centre

A new timber structure was delicately inserted within the curtilage of the existing hall. This is sensitively massed to maintain the character of the original lattice girdered space. The project is funded by The Scottish Investment Fund, WREN, Scottish Arts Council, Big Lottery & The Climate Challenge Fund.
The project has taken seven years to complete and was undertaken in three phases. The design allowed for phased construction to suit the client’s ability to raise funds for the works. The building remained tenanted and operational throughout the construction of phases two and three.
Phase 1 included mechanical, electrical & fire safety measures to make the existing building safe to
occupy & habitable.

Phase 2 saw the formation of new structures in the main hall space at the ground floor. This included 12 new studios, a rehearsal room, a central exhibition space, a cafe servery & increased WC provision to meet the demands for large public events to take place.

Phase 3 has seen the creation of a further 17 studios; a rifle range converted into more workshops, a
recording suite, full catering facilities and a sculpture courtyard with a proposed vertical garden that may also produce vegetables for the café. In addition, a lift is installed and a physical link is created between the existing and new parts of the building.

Key environmental features are exemplified with the installation of wet solar water heating, exhaust & air source heat recovery systems, sheep’s wool insulation and SIPS construction for first floor rooms. This, coupled with the innovative re-use of a redundant building helps to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint for the organisation.
Energy demand is minimised by well sealed & insulated perimeters, naturally ventilating (including destratification fans in) the unheated main hall space, installing high efficiency boilers and insulating pipework that serves the old parts of the building. Heat exchangers are fitted to the mechanical exhaust & air supplies. There is secure & covered bike parking as well as on street visitor cycle parking bays provided. Recycling facilities are maintained on site for the use of occupants.

There are many factors that have been considered in the design to contribute to accessibility, from the level entrance & thresholds into rooms, to good sightlines, ease of orientation, the use of colour, fixtures, fittings and equipment.
The Drill Hall project incorporates a unique blend of spaces for artforms and artists who often collaborate on projects and events.
The Drill Hall is very accessible; one which people not only enter and use safely and conveniently, but one which they can leave safely in the event of an emergency. Safe access and egress is achieved for visitors and staff.

Our main concerns for the building are sustainability, cost effectiveness, accessibility and a design lifespan of 25-30 years. An innovative and practical design evolved that was achievable as a self-managed build. It reconciles all these requirements within a unified solution. This regeneration project has enabled Out of the Blue to transform a redundant military building into an inclusive participatory arts centre, for the benefit of the local community and wider public.
OOTB have developed the Drill Hall Arts Café as an integral part of the Drill Hall’s creative infrastructure, as an essential resource for the local area and as a training project in partnership with Port of Leith Housing Association and The Capital City Partnership. During financial year 2009/10 Drill Hall Arts Café kitchen and training scheme was extended to accommodate up to 16 trainees and volunteers needing mental health support with an opportunity to have positive experiences of work and to gain confidence to undertake future education and employment. The Drill Hall café’s market niche/Unique Selling Point is affordable healthy food, attached to an arts centre and a variety of interesting activity for customers to associate themselves with. The training that is being provided is in a unique setting and is having a fundamental impact on young peoples’ lives.