Architecture firm Studio LBA will refurbish and create a new home for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society in a nineteenth century former school building close to some of the key venues.

The Society announced last July that it would be bringing some of its activities together under one roof at 6 Infirmary Street to reduce costs and improve its carbon footprint.

The conservation and development project will include the refurbishment of the category B-listed building to create a multi-purpose space. It is close to regular Festival venues, the Pleasance Courtyard, the Festival Theatre and Dovecot Studios and will open next year.

Lynsay Bell Manson, managing director at Studio LBA, said: “We’ve worked on a number of specialist conservation projects and it is fantastic to be appointed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to play our part in restoring and modernising a historic building.   

“Our design approach is sensitive to the cherished history of the building, so our plans focus on preserving the existing character, whilst upgrading the building’s fabric and accessibility.”

Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, added: “Through funding from the UK Government we’re delighted that we are able to move forward with the long-held ambition of a new, accessible home for the Fringe Society which will benefit artists, community partners and the Edinburgh Fringe through a range of enhanced services throughout the year. 

The Society has appointed a design team of Thomas & Adamson as project manager, Montagu Evans as heritage consultant, Will Rudd Davidson as structural engineer and Wallace Whittle as mechanical and electrical engineer.