Gayfield Creative Spaces was an arts hub based in and around a former tyre depot just off Gayfield Square in Edinburgh. Between 2013 and 2017, it hosted a dynamic programme of exhibitions, residencies, events and workshops, supporting artists, designers and makers working across disciplines.

GRAS was invited to transform the building into a series of galleries, studios, workshops and adaptable event spaces. The ambition was to support collaboration and exchange by creating a framework that could respond to different scales and types of activity.

Prior to the work, the building was composed of several distinct but disconnected spaces, each shaped by its industrial past. The challenge lay in bringing these parts together without compromising their individual character. Rather than impose a singular vision, the approach was one of careful alignment—finding ways for the spaces to work together through minimal but precise architectural interventions.

Throughout the process, the proposals were refined and reduced, with every decision tested against the practical needs of the brief. New connections and shared facilities were introduced using a simple and consistent palette, allowing the spaces to operate as a cohesive whole while retaining the richness of their varied forms.

The result was a flexible and purposeful venue that enabled a wide range of creative practices to take root. By working with the grain of the existing building, the project allowed it to adapt and evolve, supporting a vibrant and responsive arts community in the heart of the city.