Scottish Architecture

News is taking a break

News is taking a break.

THE LIGHTHOUSE TRUST (IN ADMINISTRATION)

  Bruce Cartwright and Laurie Manson of PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed as Joint Administrators ("Administrators") of The Lighthouse Trust on 25 August 2009.    

J B Cartwright and L K Manson have been appointed as Joint Administrators of The Lighthouse Trust to manage its affairs, business and property as its agents. J B Cartwright and L K Manson are licensed to act as insolvency practitioners by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

The Lighthouse releases statement on its future

Following a Board meeting of The Lighthouse Trust yesterday evening (24th Aug) Eleanor McAllister OBE, who has been Chair of board of The Lighthouse Trust for the last eighteen months, released the following statement:

“It has been a heartbreaking decision for me and the Board to bring in Administrators to the Lighthouse Trust. We know the devastating effect this will have on our staff and on the partners working with us on our projects. We have done everything possible to avoid this, but the options before us were very limited in the current economic downturn.

“When I was asked to chair The Lighthouse Trust Board, I had hopes we could find a way ahead after the significant losses incurred in mounting the critically successful, but expensive, Venice Biennale project, and the government decision not to fund a second Six Cities Design Festival.

“Last year, with additional support from our main funders, the City Council and the Scottish Government, we put a crisis package in place to secure our immediate future and to enable us to continue our educational and exhibition programmes at both within and beyond The Lighthouse.

“That new package was very dependent on maintaining the income generated from our commercial activities. The Lighthouse business model has always required commercial income to subsidise its extensive programme. No other gallery in Scotland has to generate such a high percentage of its income from commercial sources and the Lighthouse has been very successful at that in the past. However, the extra income we needed from rents, grants and conferences and events just did not materialise as businesses, organisations and charitable trusts cut back on their activities when the credit crunch hit and the recession deepened. The Lighthouse, already in a vulnerable position and with no reserves to call on, has not been able to rally.

“The Board hopes that the Administrator, working with ourselves, the City Council as owners of the Lighthouse building and the Government as the major funder, will be able to get a resolution that ensures the future of this early Mackintosh building, so important to Glasgow's architectural heritage. We also hope to protect some of the Lighthouse's key activities and exhibitions, and to maintain public access to the building. Most of all, we hope to find a way for The Lighthouse to continue in some way to fulfil its vital role as Scotland's National Centre for Architecture, Design and the City.”

The immediate priority is to investigate all possible options with an open mind to determine if a sustainable economic structure can be delivered that will enable The Lighthouse Trust to continue its existing role and fulfil any immediate commitments.

Whilst the position is assessed, the building will remain open for business.

Greer throws down the gauntlet

Outspoken critic and academic Germaine Greer is set to throw down the gauntlet on the issue of Sustainability in the Future Scotland debate at the Festival of Politics tomorrow Friday, 21 August 2009. Greer will be the first speaker in an event organised by The Lighthouse and A+DS, and sponsored by PARC Craigmillar URC. Responding to her gauntlet will be Director of the Design Museum and former Director of Glasgow 1999 Year of Architecture and Design, Deyan Sudjic, and Peter Clegg, designer of the Stirling Prize winning Accordia housing in Cambridge. The debate will be chaired by broadcaster and writer, Lesley Riddoch, and will run from 11am – 12.30pm in the Debating Chamber.

In an opinion piece last weekend, Professor Greer set out her stall for sustainable communities by citing a new generation of high rise developments and a call for “groovy places downtown for preference, so you can walk to work and the shops and don't need a car”. Quoting figures on the status of the current housing stock in Scotland – half of which doesn't satisfy the seven out of ten energy standard – Greer called for existing properties to be demolished to make way for new, more energy efficient housing designed for the needs of an ageing population living in single occupancy units (the majority of Scottish dwellings are each occupied by a sole individual - in 2006, the figure was 809,000, more than a third of the total housing stock, and that figure is growing every year.)

Greer’s contention is that many of the super rich live in tower blocks and that by avoiding the pitfalls of the past a new era of high-rise developments could offer the answer to sustainable design and sustainable communities for the wider population.

Germaine Greer

A full account this Debate will appear shortly, alongside previous Future Scotland debates, on The Lighthouse website

The final Future Scotland debate, on Health, will take place at The Lighthouse on 1 September at 6pm. The panel will feature Hugh Barton of the World Health Organisation; Mungo Smith, Medical Architecture & Art Projects; and Gareth Hoskins, Gareth Hoskins Architects. The event will be chaired by Nick Barley, Director of The Lighthouse, and will be followed by a public discussion and vote afterwards. Clydebank re-built URC will sponsor this final event. For futher information and to book your place for the forthcoming Future Scotland Debate click on the following Link

Future Scotland is a series of six keynote debates organised by the Lighthouse, in partnership with A+DS. They are sponsored by Scotland’s Urban Regeneration Companies with media partners Herald Newspapers and Architects Journal.

To read our associated feature on the Future Scotland debate focusing on Education click on the following Link

Common of Houses competition winner announced

A competition for architects to design ‘state-owned, temptation-free’ housing for MPs has been won by an entry that 'aims to increase participation in democracy through a network of local assemblies served by re-nationalised railways and ferries'.

Other entrants proposed that MPs should live in mobile homes, on a cruise ship moored on the Thames, in pods along the outside of Westminster Bridge and in stacked flats that change height depending on how many votes their party receives.

The competition - conceived by Allistair Burt of Scottish design duo Hole in my Pocket and run by The Architects' Journal - had more than 40 entries and was judged by Ken Livingstone, AJ editor Kieran Long and Ruth Reed, incoming President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The competition has been won by Glasgow based architects Jude Barber and Phil Zoechbauer of Collective Architecture for their winning design “Common Houses” which looks to increase participation in democracy through a network of local assemblies served by re-nationalised railways and ferries'. The first runner up is Sarah Siena Edwards for her design “Ministers Mole Hole” which utilises the underground tunnels of London to create dormitory accommodation for MP’s. The second runner up is Neil McGuire for his design “Redacted Residencies”, which turns Westminster into a museum of Lying and imagines that MP’s expense claims are processed through a computer which creates house designs based on the “honesty” of their claims.

The shortlist and a selection of other entries will be on display in an exhibition at the Lighthouse in Glasgow and Hole in my Pocket are currently in discussion regarding a sister exhibition in London.

All entries can be viewed at the website www.commonofhouses.co.uk
To read more about the competition on www.scottisharchitecture.com click on the following link

Civic Trust Awards 2010 now open to receive entries

The Civic Trust Awards 2010 are now open and all entries should be made online via www.civictrustawards.org.uk. Last year 53 applications were submitted from Scotland, with successful projects ranging from the Titan Crane in Clydebank By Collective Architecture to Gareth Hoskins Architects' Culloden Battlefield Memorial Centre.

Applications are invited from architects and developers, however, members of the public are also able to nominate successful local schemes for entry to the Awards. Whether it is a building, public space or public art project, email info@civictrustawards.org.uk and the Awards team will contact the designer to encourage them to make an entry. Applications are encouraged from completed schemes that have particularly improved the quality of life for the local community.

The scheme is also interested in attracting local people to act as Community Advisors on volunteer assessment teams. This role will involve canvassing and representing the views of the people who use or see the building as part of their environment.

The Civic Trust Awards have also announced the appointment of two new Patrons, namely: George Clarke, an architect, writer and presenter for The Home Show on Channel 4; and Chris Wilkinson OBE RA, founder of Wilkinson Eyre Architects in 1983, currently the second largest practice in the UK.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 16th September 2009.

More information can be found on the website www.civictrustawards.org.uk or contact Malcolm Hankey on mhankey@civictrustawards.org.uk or call (01925) 273170.

RIAS establish partnership with Professional Financial Services

The Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland has established a partnership with Professional Financial Services (PFS) to create a financial advice service for members at both a corporate and personal level. With this Partnership the RIAS hope to achieve a service that will support members through the financial issues affecting them through their working life, clarifying how employers can comply with the changes ahead.

RIAS PFS aims to provide advice across the range of financial services to keep members abreast of new rules and legislation changes that may affect them. An advice service will also advise on the best ways to adopt and implement these new rules into day to day operations.

Members will also be provided with additional services, such as: a bi-annual newsletter with news, views and details of legislation which may have implications on either a corporate or personal level; an annual budget report outlining any major changes which may affect the industry and/or its personnel; advice on both corporate and personal finance; business consultations for employers and their staff, which can be conducted either in-house or at a venue of choice; and individual consultations for members and their staff.

The first edition of the RIAS PFS newsletter will be distributed with the next edition of Chartered Architect.

More information can be found on the new RIAS PFS website www.riaspfs.com

To set up a consultation or to find out more about this new service contact Frame Broadfoot at RIAS PFS on 0141 226 8866 or email frame@riaspfs.com

Scottish architecture over the last 65 years celebrated in new book

Culture Minister Michael Russell today launched 'Scotland: Building for the Future' a celebration of Scottish architecture traditions over the last 65 years, written and published by Historic Scotland.

Speaking at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh, where he met with people who live and work in the buildings featured in the new book, the Minister also announced that Historic Scotland would be hosting a conference on architecture of this period at the Bonar Hall in Dundee on November 24.

The Minister said: “It is widely recognised that for centuries the Scots have stayed at the fore of architectural design and craftsmanship and that is as true of our modern buildings as our historic ones. In the post-war years our building styles and materials changed to reflect how our society and priorities had adapted, leaving us with a legacy of ambitious, functional and literally outstanding structures.

“People may disagree about which they personally find aesthetically pleasing, but – rather than detract from our built landscapes – that adds to the debate about what we want our architecture to demonstrate and what we can continue to learn and enjoy about the buildings surrounding us which is what Scotland: Building for the Future aims to encourage.”

He added: “We continue to have an excellent and enviable record of architecture in Scotland which makes for lively and informed debate about what should and can be done to protect buildings of calibre. In November, Historic Scotland will hold a conference on post-war architecture which will provide an excellent opportunity for those with strong views on the subject to discuss these issues face to face.”

Buildings featured in the book are from across Scotland with the Maggie Centre, Dundee; the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh; Stirling University Principal’s house and Gala Fairydean Stadium.

Individual copies of the book cant be ordered from Historic Scotland on 0131 668 8600 or downloaded for free from www.historic-scotland.gov.uk, where there is also more information about the conference.

Archial wins planning consent for new office development

Image: Archial Architects (click on image to enlarge)

Archial Architects has won planning consent for its proposal to replace an unloved office block at Cumberland Place in Southampton which is owned by Premier Property Group (PPG) - the property arm of Murray International Holdings Group, owned by Sir David Murray.

The existing building has been vacant for some time and is now subject to vandalism. It is now due to be demolished and replaced by the new 10 storey Archial proposal. The new building has been designed using stone masonry piers, high quality structural glazing and natural copper cladding.

Lengthy negotiations to achieve full consent from Southampton City Planning and Sustainability’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel involved amending the original design and reducing the overall height of the building by one floor.

Premier Property Group’s Grosvenor House Development is designed to maximise the use of the site and reinvigorate this once popular office location. The new office accommodation will provide cycle parking and 29 on site secure car parking spaces below ground.

Cameron Walker, director at Archial Architects, said, “The elevations have been designed with reference to the historic treatment along Cumberland Place and Brunswick Place and will present a well defined three storey ‘base’ and high quality public realm at ground level. A glazed pavilion form set back at the top level, will reduce the visual impact of the building from Cumberland Place, and will complete the vertical composition when viewed from across the parks.

“The development will replace an unattractive building and will make optimum use of a well established office site. We anticipate the high quality materials and contemporary design will enhance the area, become a catalyst and set a new appropriate ‘benchmark’ for future regeneration projects within the area.”

Irvine Harbour Redevelopment consultation to take place this month

Property company Urban Splash, in partnership with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, will be holding further public consultation about the redevelopment of Irvine Harbour.

The exhibition is being held at the Ship Inn, Harbour Street, Irvine, on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August, 10.30am until 5.00pm each day.

It will be attended by representatives from Urban Splash and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to provide written feedback.

The consultation comes following a busy 12 months in which the two organisations have worked closely progressing and developing proposals for the harbour, which include the development of 350 homes, new public spaces, an improved quayside space, shops, offices and a hotel, inspired by the traditional influences of Scottish harbour towns.

Patrick Sheridan of Urban Splash said: "Since the spring, when we held a public exhibition we have been working hard to incorporate the feedback of local people and organisations into our plans. We have now reached a point where we can present this to the public in order to submit the application to the local authority towards the end of the summer."

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company commercial director Omar Elmi concluded: "We would encourage people to attend, as we really do want as much feedback as possible to ensure that this scheme is a sustainable transformation for the area."

To read about the Irvine Bay development in full click on the following link

Above Image: Irvine Bay URC.

Mackintosh study receives major grant boost

The first in-depth study of the architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is to begin at the University of Glasgow early next year.

The pioneering research project ‘Mackintosh Architecture: Context, Making and Meaning’, led by Professor Pamela Robertson, has been made possible through a major grant of almost £620,000 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

'Mackintosh Architecture' will provide for the first time a comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of his achievements as an architect based on an innovative and authoritative combination of archival research, building survey and analysis.

Pamela Robertson, Professor of Mackintosh Studies at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery said: “This funding will allow us to refocus on Mackintosh’s core activity as an architect giving us a better understanding of the evolution of these landmark buildings, their patrons and makers, success and influence.’’

The three-year nine-month project, in partnership with Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, will deliver a thorough analysis of the context, importance and contribution of Mackintosh's architecture.

It will generate the first detailed catalogues raisonnés of Mackintosh's architectural projects and his architectural designs, together with transcriptions from the practice job-books and other archival sources. It will systematically identify and research the wider networks of clients, contractors and tradesmen and define their contributions. Physical surveys by Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission will identify construction methods, materials, and technology used, and confirm the history of subsequent change.

The completed research will be made available through a free-access, online database with results analysed in a series of specialist, on-line essays and an exhibition and conference organised by the Hunterian at the end of the project.