Treverlen Park
Portobello, Edinburgh
MBLA prepared designs for a new public park in Edinburgh on the site of the former Portobello High School.
MBLA were appointed by Holmes Miller architects to develop detailed proposals for the park following community engagement which confirmed the community’s requirements for active play combined with a naturalistic landscape.
The design proposals consist of open space augmented by two tree roundels. The roundels have clearings within which active play is accommodated.
MBLA prepared detailed landscape design proposals which included site levels and earthworks, street furniture and play features, bespoke signage, hard standing and soft works.
Informal play features included free climbing boulders, a wheel’s area, and landforms.
Interpretation of the sites wider context and local history included sourcing glacial boulders to reference geological features in the borrowed landscape such as Arthur’s Seat and bespoke Corten steel park signage which referenced the firing of clay historically in the Rosebank brick and tile works.
The name Treverlen was chosen by the Duddingston and Craigentinny Neighbourhood Partnership after a substantial public consultation and reflects the historical place name of lands which eventually became the small hamlet of Duddingston. The etymology of Treverlen meaning “settlement by the lake (loch) of reeds and/or rushes”.
Project team comprises lead consultant Holmes Miller, engineers Aecom, project managers Currie & Brown, cost consultants Doig + Smith.
Skatepark by bendcrete
Photography by Christopher Swan Photography
Completed 2019