As an architect-led development, Canon Mews embodies Pend’s ambition to place design quality at the forefront, reimagining the much-loved mews typology to create two, three-bedroom homes that balance light, privacy and outdoor space within a modest urban footprint.

Built on a constrained brownfield site, Pend unlocked the site from within. Rather than expanding upward or outward, the design maximises by carving light, outlook and space into the centre of each home.

Inspired in part by Tadao Ando’s Row House in Osaka, Pend has reinterpreted the mews house typology through a series of internal courtyards and terraces, using light as the primary architectural tool.

While traditional Edinburgh mews properties are often overlooked or lack usable outdoor space, Canon Mews turns its constraint into a defining feature. Each home is wrapped around a private outdoor courtyard, providing natural light to living spaces, creating framed views and, crucially, offering residents privacy beyond what is typical in dense historic settings.

With deliberate design intent in every square metre, Pend’s internal planning sees each property accommodate generous living, kitchen and dining areas, three double bedrooms, and integrated garages, delivering a complete family-scale home within an unexpectedly modest footprint.

Canon Mews presents a moment of graduation for the practice, as the studio tends towards further ambitions within design-led development, in this instance delivered as part of a joint venture with esteemed local contractor, Gloss Projects.

Gloss’ expertise as a high-end residential contractor has been key to delivering this ambition with both parties sharing a frustration with the lack of care and attention to detail typically afforded to new-build housing. Canon Mews is intended not as volume housing, but as an alternative for discerning buyers, prioritising longevity and thoughtful, considered design.

Material choices underscore this intent. The envelope of each home has been constructed from reclaimed brick found on site. Carefully removed, cleaned and reinstated the bricks were reassembled to suit the new arrangement. A key detail is the reuse of a curved, bullnose brick at each entrance, softening and marking the threshold, a small moment that highlights the level of care brought to the project.

Set slightly back from the brick facade, red zinc defines the upper storey and roofline, bringing a warm, contemporary contrast to the reclaimed masonry. The garages and recessed entrance vestibules are expressed in finely detailed timber cladding, continuing the pattern of timber clad garages on the quiet mews lane.

Internally, the ground floor is finished in a robust porcelain tile with underfloor heating, solid timber treads form a sculptural stair with bespoke metal balustrade that leads you to a light, open kitchen dining space complete with roof terrace at first floor. Celebrating the various materials found on site, the courtyards are left as exposed existing brick and masonry that combine with the red zinc to provide a rich palette of materials.

Constructed as a highly insulated timber frame and complemented by solar PV and EV charging, the completed homes offer energy efficient properties within a dense, historic urban setting.

Internally, the homes are designed as turnkey properties, fully fitted and ready to inhabit. Pend and Gloss’ approach is motivated not by minimalism or extravagance, but by the belief that architecture at this scale should still feel authored and considered.

Pend has appointed emerging independent real estate agency Niksen to bring Canon Mews to market. Chosen for their collaborative, design-forward outlook and further reflecting Pend’s ambition to offer a fresh alternative to delivering contemporary, new build homes in Edinburgh.

Jamie Anderson, director, Pend, said: “Canon Mews presented a new opportunity for us as a practice. Taking on the roles of both architect and developer enabled us to explore every stage of the design and development process, and to demonstrate our strong belief that architects are uniquely equipped to unlock constrained urban sites.

“From acquisition through to delivery and marketing, we approached each step with intent and an academic curiosity (often naivety) that allowed us to question convention in delivering new build homes. Our joint venture with Gloss was fundamental to this, ensuring a construction process that was collaborative, aligned and uncompromising in its pursuit of quality.

“With Canon Mews, we hope to open a broader conversation about the potential of small urban sites, prioritising thoughtful densification, material quality and everyday domestic delight. It stands as our own study in how to develop bespoke housing solutions and signals a direction we’re excited to continue pursuing.”

Project credits:

• Location: Edinburgh
• Construction began: October, 2025
• Completion: January 2026
• Gross internal floor area: 265 square metres
• Local Authority: City of Edinburgh Council
• Form of contract/procurement: SBCC Minor Works
• Client: Pend Architects and Gloss Projects
• Architect: Pend Architects
• Interiors: Pend Architects
• Principal designer: Pend and Gloss
• Interior staging: Catalog Interiors
• Main contractor: Gloss Projects
• Structural engineer: Harley Haddo
• CAD: Vectorworks
• Construction cost: £775,000
• Photographer: Lorenzo Zandri