Orwell Arts, the Garvald Centre, Edinburgh
Inspired by the work of Rudolph Steiner, Garvald provide diverse and creative day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Having outgrown their existing premises Garvald acquired the former Dalry Primary School in the city. Oberlanders were appointed to refurbish and extend the building to create a new arts centre suited to the needs of a varied user group.
At the ground floor the building was extended to form a new dining and social space for the users, also used as an exhibition space for the works produced in the workshop. This extension was conceived as a garden room, heavily glazed to enhance the links between building and the external grounds, with a large protective overhanging roof. The ability to benefit from and utilize the garden space was seen as a significant boost by Garvald as this was not something on offer at their previous premises.
The building was completed on time and budget and the delighted users moved into their ‘new’ accommodation in May 2007.
