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The Cassette
GRAS_TheCassette_byMurdoMcDermid_3-1

The Cassette is the second in a series of retail spaces designed and built by GRAS for Waverley Mall in the centre of Edinburgh. Located in a previously overlooked and dimly lit area, the project introduces a bright and inviting intervention that transforms its immediate surroundings.

The design makes use of a carefully curated material palette. Soft pink timber cladding brings warmth and tactility, while a chunky terrazzo countertop, made using reclaimed marble, adds texture and visual weight. A brass frame with integrated lighting supports a custom neon sign, providing a sense of identity and clarity within the larger mall context.

The Cassette is both functional and expressive. Every element was fabricated with precision, combining off-site production with on-site assembly. The result is a self-contained retail environment that is adaptable, engaging and visually distinctive. It redefines a corner of the mall through thoughtful detailing and the imaginative reuse of space.

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland

Completed

2019

Size/Area

13m²

Type

Commercial

Awards

Creative Edinburgh Awards 2019

Project Lead

Paula Szturc

Surface

Robin Grasby, Altrock

Photography

Murdo McDermid

Fabrication & Installation

Derek Baxter

The Cassette Details

GRAS_TheCassette_byMurdoMcDermid_4
GRAS_TheCassette_byMurdoMcDermid_5-2

Material Focus

  1. Reclaimed marble terrazzo

This brightly hued corner of the mall modestly gestures towards the busy passage of Waverley Steps, emphasising the need for spaces that offer a unique and distinctive visual and tactile experience.

Paula Szturc, Project Lead