KBA, Interiors, Edinburgh, Design Studio, Scotland, Images, Scottish Practice, Projects

Kerr Blyth Associates : Architecture

Contemporary Interiors Scotland – Scottish Architectural Practice

post updated 31 August 2024

About KBA

KBA is a young dynamic company run by three highly experienced and award-winning design professionals: Kerr Blyth; Gail Thomson; and Matthew Fan. The studio is renowned for its non-dogmatic and practical approach to the creation of innovative and usable built space.

Its integrated approach incorporates architecture, interior design, product design, manufacture, and statutory permissions to provide a comprehensive and seamless package. KBA operates from Edinburgh and works throughout Scotland, the UK and Europe.

Kerr Blyth Associates Edinburgh

Contact
KBA Ltd.
2 Belford Road
Edinburgh
EH4 3BL
Tel: 0131 718 2030
Fax: 0131 220 3764
E: admin@kerrblythassociates.co.uk
W: www.kerrblythassociates.co.uk

Projects

Holiday Inn Aberdeen West, Aberdeen

Breaking the mould for Holiday Inn was the key to KBA’s concept designs for Aberdeen West. The brief was to create a comfortable hotel under the Holiday Inn banner to increase the room capacity from 52 to 86 rooms and to provide a variety of public spaces which would operate as destination venues within their own right.

The principle of the design to the entrance foyer was to create the notion of a main street thoroughfare, thereby allowing each of the main venues to have their own identity separate from the hotel reception. Glazed slots offer views to The Brasserie fine dining restaurant, where a mixture of curvaceous booths and loose tables and chairs provide flexible arrangements for 120 covers. The sophisticated Glentaner Lounge features a sumptuous 12m long leather-clad bar surrounded by curvaceous leather booths, walnut tables and specially designed ‘frame’ light fittings which create vibrant punches of colour.

A traditional ambience, reminiscent of a Scottish tavern, has been created in the Scot’s Corner Pub and The Balmoral Suite provides a conference and events facility with a unique sound and light system for 250 guests. Numerous giant mirror balls hover above the main floor and beautiful walnut panels integrated with mirror reflect movement onto the perimeter walls.

The upper floors, which house the bedrooms, are identified with different colours and feature glowing timber wall panels that dominate the lobby. Executive and Deluxe rooms have been created, each evoking feelings of warmth and quality from elements such as the beautiful Scottish woven blankets and cushions. When the lights go down, the bed head glows a fire-like red creating a warm and sexy aura, adding another enticement for guests to return.

The Point Hotel, Edinburgh

KBA was commissioned to undertake a radical refurbishment project for The Point Hotel.

The new design approach has already transformed the bedrooms on the fourth floor, moving away from the hotel’s previous minimalist style to one embracing warmth and tranquillity.

The lobby provides an immediate sense of what the rooms will offer: both the lobby and corridor are dark and evocative. Lighting plays a key part – the fittings, exclusively manufactured by Mike Stoane to KBA’s specification, kiss light onto the room numbers and create pools of luminescence that highlight the uniquely designed carpets coming out from underneath the paired-down doors. An upgrade of the hotel’s fluorescent feature lights now creates a subtle glow, bringing together the warm colours of the walls and flooring with punches of light.

Each of the three room types has been designed to cater superbly for business and leisure guests alike. A rich mink coloured carpet integrating vibrant colour details exudes an air of luxury, and warm dark nut panels frame the entertainment wall and mould beautifully onto the dresser. The larger rooms, some of which offer unique views of Edinburgh Castle, now have separate dressing, lounge and sleep areas, which have been created using an illuminated dividing screen. Opulent sofas, lounge chairs and ottomans combine to create the point of difference.

Further innovative elements such as rubber flooring and gargantuan twin showers within the en-suites set the rooms apart from any other, ensuring a truly memorable experience and the high Point to a stay in the city.

The Albyn, Aberdeen

The Albyn was transformed by KBA from a three-storey, 19th century granite villa into a contemporary club, bar and restaurant in the heart of Aberdeen

A two-storey extension has been added to the rear of the property which incorporates the bar, restaurant and entertainment area at ground level, featuring a grand piano, acoustically tuned suspended ceiling mirrors and curvaceous booth seats. The members’ lounge below is specifically designed for the over 30s crowd with a two-level martini bar, sunken dance floor with an integrated stage for live music and star-encrusted sofa area with delicate chain drapes. It has an exotic feel using detailed printed panelling, cosy discreet booths and bespoke purr-pleat pendants positioned to act as a delicate focal point above the seats.

The Albyn provides an entirely different type of venue for a sophisticated Northern crowd, converting easily from a day to night destination.

Best Interior Design – Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards 2006

‘The Albyn is a completely unique venue and something that Aberdeen has never seen before. KBA have done amazing feats, not just with the overall interiors and architecture, but the many detailed touches from the designed abstract panelling to the incredible suspended ceiling mirrors.’ Finlay Cran, EDC (Client)

Orocco Pier, South Queensferry

Panoramic views of the Forth make Orocco Pier the most picturesque venue in South Queensferry. The A-listed hotel with a public bar and restaurant was re-configured to take full advantage of scenic views across the sea to the famous rail bridge beyond.

The total internal reorganisation saw the creation of a chic bar/restaurant, contemporary hotel, conference and function suite. Iroko interiors, curved booth seating, specialist lighting and warm tones give the bar a cosy feel, even on a wet Forth night. Al fresco dining decks with white tables, chairs and planters, evoke the French Riviera with the use of Iroko timber on the decking inspiring the name ‘Orocco Pier’.

Decking also features in the hotel rooms, giving guests the option to dine in privacy – the rooms are state-of-the-art with remote controlled functions and wireless internet access, whilst fibre optic lighting systems promote sweet dreams.

Orocco Pier has become one of the most popular out of town venues, as stunning design and breathtaking scenery make it a genuine attraction and talking point.

As a result of extremely successful trading over the last few years, the owners have purchased a neighbouring gap site into which they hope to expand the hotel. KBA has been appointed to provide the architecture and interior design service, including obtaining the relevant statutory certification, for the four million pound major new build extension which will break new ground and enhance the already prosperous venue.

‘A spot of heaven in West Lothian.’ The Sunday Times

Short listed for Hotel of the Year and Style Bar of the Year – The Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards

Hotel Review Scotland
Contemporary Scottish Wedding Hotel of the Year 2006
Very Highly Commended – Scotland’s Sexiest Hotel 2006
Hotel Bar of the Year 2005

Halo Bar, Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s West End is home to Halo, a new concept in blending the cocktail bar scene with a friendly neighbourhood local. Transformed entirely from a dark and narrow pub into an elegant destination venue, Halo is able to comfortably accommodate a mixture of lunch-time and evening diners with a pre-club drinking crowd.

Opening up a section to the rear allowed for more seating area and brought daylight to the back of the venue. A long leather studded bar with a gilded top is mixed with oversized chandeliers, illuminated acrylic mirrors and acoustically tuned padded walls, giving Halo a theatrical yet inviting feel.

Halo truly has become a fashionable and integral part of the West End drinking scene.

‘…given its Tinkerbell dimensions. A handful of tables hunker down snugly beneath red leather panelling, curlicued perspex mirrors and drum chandeliers, with starlights in the stair.’ The Guide, The Guardian

Shortlisted for the Best New Bar Interior Design by Theme Magazine

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland