Gordon Beaton and Pamela Adams, 56three
At the Court House, we love seeing our members find ways to make the space their own, whether it’s a hub for creativity, a place to meet clients, or simply a productive break from home. For 56three Architects, the Court House has become a key part of their hybrid working culture, serving as a second workplace option for their growing team.
A growing practice with a national and international footprint
Based in Edinburgh, 56three Architects has built an impressive portfolio over more than a decade. Their work spans residential, commercial, conservation, tourism, and leisure projects across the UK, with some international clients too. With a team of 38 architects and designers, 56three is a significant player in the architecture world, but they pride themselves on maintaining a culture that balances professionalism with a sense of fun and family.
Discovering the Court House
Gordon Beaton, Director at 56three, lives locally to Kinross and first started using the Court House one day a week as an alternative to working from home. “It was the perfect balance,” he says. “A break from the long commute into Edinburgh, but still a productive workplace with its own creative energy and character. Far better than the silence (and distractions) at home.”
Word spread quickly within the team. Soon, other members living north of the Forth began using the space, and what started as occasional visits naturally grew into a satellite office. Today, a core group of six staff members from Dunfermline, Stirling, and Kinross use the Court House regularly, often more than once a week. Affectionately calling it their Northern Outpost.
The benefits of a second workspace
Having a professional, flexible space outside Edinburgh has brought tangible benefits to 56three. The team has made new connections that led to new hires, business opportunities, and collaborations. Hybrid and flexible working is central to the firm’s culture, and the Court House gives the team an alternative place to meet, hold key client discussions, or simply focus on work without the city commute.
“The ease and flexibility is brilliant,” explains Practice Manager, Pamela Adams. “We pay a per-desk rate, turn up, and everything’s ready; coffee, a warm welcome, a gentle buzz around the place. There’s no headache of running a second office.”
Some of the 56three team working in the business lounge at the Court House.
A space that inspires
The Court House itself also plays a role in the experience. The sympathetic restoration, natural light, oversized furniture, and soft lighting create a relaxing, professional environment that enhances productivity. For a design-focused business like 56three, working in a thoughtfully curated space makes all the difference.
Flexible, professional, and part of the culture
For 56three, the Court House isn’t just a workspace, it has become a part of their culture. It’s a tangible example of its ethos of flexible and hybrid working, which has attracted staff to the company.
As Gordon and Pamela reflect, “We try not to be overly corporate. We’re a highly functioning family, and having the Court House as an open, flexible space has become a natural part of how we work and connect.”
At the Court House, we’re proud to support businesses like 56three Architects, giving them the freedom to work where, when, and how it suits them, all while being part of a vibrant, creative community.
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