Last month, Konishi Gaffney received planning approval for a pair of off-grid, low carbon homes in Glenelg, a remote coastal community in the Scottish Highlands, with views stretching across to the Isle of Skye. Designed with a light touch on the landscape, the project sits on a peat bog and avoids the use of concrete or steel entirely.
The scheme includes a 250m² home alongside a smaller 125m² neighbour. Both properties will be constructed using timber frames, zinc roofs and suspended floors on stilts—an approach that eliminates concrete foundations and significantly reduces the carbon footprint.
This modern housing project reflects our studio’s ongoing commitment to sustainable architecture, low-impact construction, and sensitive residential design in rural Scotland.
The design was recently featured in the Architects’ Journal. You can read more about it here.

Our recently completed Silecroft Beach Cafe has been featured in The Architects’ Journal, showcasing our studio’s design for this low-impact public building on the edge of the Lake District’s only beach.
Designed by Konishi Gaffney, the cafe is perched just above the shoreline and features an exposed timber roof structure and external shutters, offering a contemporary response to the rugged coastal context. The project forms part of a wider initiative to improve public access to the Cumbrian coastline through high-quality, sustainable architecture.
Photography by Richard Gaston accompanies the feature, which you can read here.

We’re delighted that our Liberton project has been shortlisted for a Small Projects Award by the Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA). This recognition celebrates thoughtful, design-led architecture at a modest scale—a core part of our practice.
Congratulations to all the other shortlisted practices. The category showcases a diverse and inspiring range of architectural work in Edinburgh, reflecting the creativity and care shaping the city’s built environment this year.

We’re excited to welcome two new team members to Konishi Gaffney as we grow to take on larger, more ambitious projects across Scotland and beyond.
Mike joins us with over 15 years’ experience at design-led practices in Dublin. A first-class graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology, he has taught architecture at TU Dublin and is currently a studio tutor at the University of Edinburgh. Mike also served on the board of the Architectural Association of Ireland, including as President. His expertise brings real depth to our growing studio.
Eleanor (Els) recently completed her Master’s in Architecture with Distinction at Edinburgh University, following an undergraduate degree from The University of Bath. Her work explores low carbon materials, reuse and social sustainability, with experience in both domestic and healthcare architecture. She also received the Karla Roman Travel Bursary for her research on Japanese architecture–and knows a thing or two about great coffee, thanks to her time at Obadiah Coffee.

Work is progressing on site in the Braid Hills, where Konishi Gaffney is delivering a carefully detailed home extension for a private client. The new structure features exposed oak beams and a partially expressed ceiling, designed to frame long views of the garden and landscape beyond.
This project reflects our ongoing commitment to craft-led, residential architecture in Edinburgh—combining warm materials, natural light and thoughtful spatial planning.

The Venice Architecture Biennale offered our team an inspiring opportunity to engage with global architectural discourse, exploring the latest ideas in sustainability, urbanism, and the social impact of design.
As one of the most influential events in the architectural calendar, the Biennale brings together practitioners, thinkers, and curators from around the world. We returned energised by the diverse and experimental work on display—from conceptual installations to real-world strategies addressing climate, housing and cultural identity.

We recently showcased several architectural exhibits at the RSA Show, with our Greyfriars Charteris Centre project taking centre stage.

Architektur Fachmagazin have written an article about our Greyfriars Charteris Centre project; now a topic for research across borders.

Excerpt of published article written by project architect Adam Williams and Kieran Gaffney for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland magazine Quarterly: winter 2024 edition.

Konishi Gaffney were recently invited to give a talk at Corstorphine and Wright, a prestigious AJ100 practice In London. The talk delivered focused upon the benefits of making and collaboration culture in small practices.