Glasgow architecture news 2024, Strathclyde buildings, Scottish architects offices, Property design
Glasgow Building News 2024, Strathclyde
post updated 9 December 2024
9 December 2024
Gold medal for Allander Leisure Centre
photo courtesy of architects office
Allander Leisure Centre Building
This Bearsden building design by local architects Holmes Miller wins a top award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects. The new facility previously made the shortlist of the AJ Architecture Awards 2024.
5 December 2024
Radical retrofit of Calton Square
Retaining 88% of the existing structural frame, the major refurbishment seeks to create a new identity for the office building through reconfiguration and enhancements that exemplify sustainable and wellness-centred design.
Calton Square Edinburgh office building renewal
29 November 2024
Student Accommodation at 292-298 St Vincent Street Construction Start
image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate / Homes for Students
Construction of high-quality student accommodation at 292-298 St Vincent Street, Glasgow is now underway, heralding a welcome investment boost for the heart of the city centre:
292-298 St Vincent Street Student Accommodation
12 November 2024
Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan
Design: AtkinsRéalis
aerial photo courtesy of architects office
Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow masterplan news: design and engineering consultant AtkinsRéalis appointed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to develop a master plan for Scotland’s busiest and biggest bus station to improve transport links for the city and wider region:
Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan
11 November 2024
Under-resourced and ill-equipped planning system failing to tackle Scotland’s escalating housing emergency
Average processing times increasing whilst volume of major and local applications continue to fall
New planning application statistics published today illustrate a planning service which is under-resourced and ill-equipped to deal with Scotland’s escalating housing emergency according to sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS). The figures covering the period for the financial year 2023 / 2024 show that, despite a 29% decrease in the volume of major housing applications decided, the average processing timeframe has increased from 39 to 60 weeks compared to the previous year. As a benchmark, the statutory timeframe for these decisions is 16 weeks.
The timeframes for deciding small, local housing applications follows a similar trend. With a 27% decrease in the number of applications decided in 2023 / 2024, the average processing timeframe has increased from 17 to 19 weeks against a statutory timeframe of eight weeks.
Compounding Scotland’s escalating housing emergency is the fact that none of the local authorities with declared local housing emergencies had average processing times within the statutory timeframes for either local or major housing applications.
HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“Today’s statistics are a crucial indicator of Scotland’s ability to tackle the national housing emergency across the short, medium and long term. With last month’s housing statistics highlighting consecutive declines in all-tenure starts and completions, today’s planning processing figures only confirm what the sector already knows: our planning system is poorly resourced and ill-equipped to deal with the policy implications of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) which is seeing land supply for new homes fall off a cliff.
“The Scottish Government must take urgent action to get Scotland’s planning system sorted with long-term sustainable funding and resourcing if we are to ensure that current and future generations have access to warm sustainable homes that meet their needs and that they can afford.
“With the next Scottish Budget under a month away, today’s statistics should prove a timely reminder to the Scottish Government of the consequences of cutting the Planning Budget by 43%, whilst also not ringfencing planning fees to support reinvestment into the planning service. If we are to get to grips with the housing emergency, it is essential that the Scottish Government restores funding to the planning system with a prioritisation on digitisation, and expands the capacity and focus of the much vaunted new Planning Hub at pace to include housing rather than just hydrogen development.
“It is therefore vital that the Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee offers both clarity and certainty on how the planning system will be resourced and financed to support the delivery of new high-quality homes at pace in his statement to the Scottish Parliament on ‘Scotland’s Planning System – Supporting Investment and Economic Growth and Delivering Quality Homes’ tomorrow.”
See tables below, for average decision making timeframes for major and local housing developments in local authorities with declared housing emergencies.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS (HOUSING) – LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN HOUSING EMERGENCY 2023 / 2024
LOCAL AUTHORITY DECISIONS TIMESCALE (WEEKS)
Argyll & Bute 2 41.5
Edinburgh 1 42.9
Fife 2 57.1
Glasgow 7 64.7
Scottish Borders 1 16.6
South Lanarkshire 4 37.8
West Lothian 4 152.6
LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS (HOUSING) – LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN HOUSING EMERGENCY 2023 / 2024
LOCAL AUTHORITY DECISIONS TIMESCALE (WEEKS)
Aberdeen 34 22.7
Angus 115 9.3
Argyll & Bute 251 27.7
Dumfries & Galloway 197 31.2
Edinburgh 112 16.3
East Renfrewshire 22 23.8
Fife 153 13.9
Glasgow 143 16.5
Scottish Borders 122 14
South Lanarkshire 179 39.8
West Dunbartonshire 11 14.4
West Lothian 58 30.2
12 November 2024
Scottish Government announcement positive opportunity for planning reset on housing, say home builders
“Overdue” measures to ensure “tangible results in next 12 months”
Home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement on planning by the Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee MSP. This follows yesterday’s statistics showing that the average processing time for major residential applications had increased to 60 weeks despite a 29 per cent fall in the volume of applications.
See more on the Edinburgh Building News 2024 page.
15 October 2024
TINTO expands to Glasgow with new office and key appointment amid city’s transformation
L to R Ciara McInnes, Associate Architect and Lizzi Nutt Associate Interior Designer:
Architecture and Interiors firm, TINTO, has announced the launch of its Glasgow office and the appointment of its Glasgow based team. Following the successful completion of several projects in the central region delivering fees of over £250k, the team have witnessed the potential of the city as it undergoes a period of transformation.
Over the past 18 months, TINTO has worked with a number of blue-chip companies including the Avis Group to deliver a range of services including architecture, interior design, construction, design and management (CDM), and project management.
In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the city, TINTO has appointed Ciara McInnes as Associate Architect to lead the Glasgow office based in The Briggait. With over 10 years of experience in delivering high-quality architecture and urban design across Glasgow and the central belt, Ciara brings a wealth of expertise to the role. Founder and CEO Richard Tinto also plans to expand the team further, with a priority on recruiting an Architectural Technologist.
Lizzi Nutt, Associate Interior Designer will also now be based in the Glasgow office. Since joining TINTO in 2021, Lizzi has worked across various sectors, including high-end residential, hotels, bars, restaurants, and retail. With a focus on sustainability, Lizzi aims for her designs to be functional, beautiful, and environmentally responsible. Her approach combines innovation with the use of sustainable materials and practices, ensuring projects meet both aesthetic and environmental standards.
Richard said, “Having a permanent presence in Glasgow is a significant milestone for TINTO. The transformation of the city is something we are passionate about being part of, and we are excited to bring our skills and expertise to the central belt.
“We are also thrilled to have Ciara on board. As a specialist in retrofit and adaptive re-use projects, her skills align perfectly with our passion for regenerating existing buildings.”
Ciara added, “With 80% of the population living within an hour of Glasgow, it has the allure of a major city. London and Manchester have seen significant development over the last 10-15 years, and we believe that Glasgow is next in line, which is really exciting.
“TINTO is well-known for its experience of retrofitting and converting older buildings. We share Glasgow’s vision of creating a vibrant city by revitalising its existing buildings, and we see this as an opportunity to align with that vision, add value and contribute to its success.”
TINTO is headquartered in Aberdeen but works with a portfolio of clients across the UK. A notable current project for TINTO is resurrection of the Wallace Tower at Seaton Park, Aberdeen. Tinto are underway with the project to restore, refurbish and extend the tower, and bring it back into the community on behalf of the Tillydrone Community Development Trust.
Deeply committed to sustainable design, the team’s meticulous approach is rooted in the belief that true design excellence requires balance, with environmental impact as a key consideration. From identifying which elements of a building can be preserved and restored to crafting interiors with responsibly sourced materials, TINTO embrace the responsibility of guiding their clients towards sustainable design choices.
1 October 2024
Homes for Scotland Response to statement by the Minister for Housing
Sector body Homes for Scotland, which represents organisations together delivering the majority of new homes of all tenures, has responded to this afternoon’s statement in the Scottish Parliament by the Minister for Housing on “Delivering the Homes that Scotland Needs”:
Scottish Architecture News 2024
24 September 2024
Worst Yearly Start For Housing On Record
Stark evidence of Scotland’s growing housing emergency
Highlights long-term societal risks as number of children and households in temporary accommodation reaches another record high
Official statistics published today showing that starts and completions across all sectors fell by seventeen per cent evidence that Scotland’s housing emergency is growing and further emphasise the need for urgent action by the Scottish Government to address what is now becoming an all too familiar picture of continuous decline in the country’s housing supply.
With both private and social activity in freefall, the figures highlight the clear interdependency between sectors and reveal the lowest starts for all-tenure homes across quarters one and two since records began.
Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members delivering the majority of the country’s new homes of all tenures, said:
“It has now been four months since the Scottish Government conceded that the country was facing a national housing emergency, and sixteen months on since Argyll and Bute Council declared the first local housing emergency. We now find ourselves in the quite incredible position that over half the Scottish population are living in local authority areas with a housing emergency, when the number of children and households in temporary accommodation have reached new record highs.
“Less than a week ago, we heard from the Deputy First Minister at the Homes for Scotland Annual Conference who spoke of the need for policy certainty and positive rhetoric, as well as ‘identifying affordable actions that deliver the biggest impact’. Today’s housing statistics illustrate how urgently these are required if we are to stop the haemorrhaging of inward investment into the sector and the loss of any further home builders in Scotland.
“The Scottish Government often highlights the ongoing challenges of Brexit, cost price inflation and Westminster as the main drivers of the housing crisis, but we have seen in recent months that positive action can be taken with real leadership, such as the proposal to create a National Outcome on Housing for the first time, or recognition of housing as a key pillar within the National Strategy on Economic Transformation.
“Whilst there remain obvious budgetary restraints within the Scottish Government, now is the time, as the Deputy First Minister said, to find the affordable actions that can have the biggest impact. We have been encouraged by the recent change of tone we have heard coming from Ministers and officials and are working closely with them to co-create solutions but are urging them to get to grips with the planning system (which 248 of the 250 senior industry attendees at our conference last week said was ‘broken’ and not ‘fit for purpose’) and review the cumulative impact of new and proposed regulation (which is now estimated to be adding c£30,000 in additional costs to the building of a new home) as top priorities.”
20 September 2024
Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden Award News
A new vibrant leisure centre in Bearsden near Glasgow has scooped the gold ‘Diversity in the Public Sector’ award at The Herald and GenAnalytics’ 2024 Diversity Awards Scotland, which honours innovative projects promoting diversity and inclusion in Scotland:
Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden
11 September 2024
Bellahouston Academy Building News
From a time of craftsmanship and elegance, DM Hall offers a unique Victorian building which has been creatively re-purposed for the modern age.
The Bellahouston Business Centre, formerly a famous school, provides a remarkable development opportunity.
Even in a city with as rich a Victorian heritage as Glasgow, the architectural merit of some of its more venerable buildings lifts them head and shoulders above the ordinary run of the built environment.
One such is the Bellahouston Business Centre, formerly the august and respected Bellahouston Academy, which is now being showcased in a wide-ranging marketing campaign by DM Hall, one of the UK’s leading firms of Chartered Surveyors.
The classically-symmetrical grey sandstone edifice on the wide avenue of the city’s Paisley Road West is dominated by a dramatic, four-spired clock and bell tower with confident, high-windowed wings featuring crow-step gables running out to its perimeters.
Crafted in an age in which aesthetic considerations carried as much weight as function, the B-listed building boasts a full height atrium, incorporating carved timber roof trusses and stunning full-length skylights which provide excellent natural daylighting.
DM Hall Consultant Graeme Todd, who is leading an intensive national marketing effort, said: “This is a building which reflects the robust confidence of the Victorian age and, while it has been extensively refurbished, upgraded and converted for modern use, it retains a unique architectural elegance.
“It is flooded with light, and wide corridors bounded by cast iron and hardwood balustrades– provide access to a total of 28 fully-equipped office suites on the ground and first floors.
“The property has an existing Class 4 office use. However, our clients believe the subjects offer considerable potential, subject to planning, for a wide variety of uses such as residential accommodation, serviced flats, student accommodation, hostel premises, exhibition or gallery space or a reversion to the historic use of a school or training centre.”
Bellahouston Academy first opened in 1876 as a private school. The site was donated by the Misses Steven of Bellahouston, whose generosity also provided the clocktower, and the building was designed by a Bath Street architect, Robert Balde.
The Academy was initially run as a private venture by Alexander Sim, who was sole shareholder and first rector, and who described it as a “Boy’s High Class School and Ladies’ College”.
In 1962 it was replaced by a new school building in Gower Terrace but continued as an annexe until it was finally closed in 2009. Following acquisition and extensive renovation, it opened as the Business Centre in 2016.
The property – at 423 Paisley Road West, where it has a main vehicular entrance – has a gross internal area of more than 22,000 sq ft and a dedicated enclosed car park with 48 spaces.
It is less than half a mile from Junction 24 of the M8 and within a stone’s throw of one of Scotland’s greatest football stadiums at Ibrox. It is within walking distance of all the attractions of the Riverside complex, including the Science Centre.
The property benefits also from good transport links, being a short walk from Cessnock Underground station and numerous bus services to and from the city which pass along Paisley Road West.
Offers in excess of £1,250,000 are invited for the purchase of the heritable interest.
Viewing is strictly through the selling agents and all enquiries should be directed to Graeme Todd or Claire Hutton at the DM Hall Commercial Department, 12 Bothwell Street, Glasgow G2 6LU. T: 0141 332 8615. Viewing is strictly by appointment.
For satnav purposes, the property postcode is G51 1PZ.
23 August 2024
Strathclyde Business Park Building News
DM Hall oversees sale to investors of Strathclyde Business Park’s Carnbroe House.
Leading independent firm of chartered surveyors DM Hall has secured the sale to investors of the heritable interest in Carnbroe House, a 26,003 sq. ft. two storey office building in Finch Way, Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill ML4 3PE, for just under the asking price of £1.8m.
The property, comprising four modern refurbished office suites, is currently three quarters let to three established businesses, paying a cumulative annual rent of around £225,000, equivalent to a rental per sq. ft of £12.
Strathclyde Business Park is one of the West of Scotland’s premier business park locations, positioned in the heart of Scotland’s central belt. The park is located west of the A725 and south of Shawhead Interchange which links directly to the M8 running east to west and on the M73 linking to the M80 running north.
Jacqueline Towie of DM Hall’s Hamilton office who oversaw the sales process, said: “This represented an exceptional opportunity for an investor to acquire the heritable interest in an established and well-regarded commercial property on the edge of Scotland’s motorway network.
“With its large open plan flexible floorplate, modern LED lighting, double glazed windows on three elevations providing excellent natural daylight, 24-hour building access and dedicated on-site parking, this property provides a comfortable work environment within a highly attractive location for aspiring businesses.
“Our local presence and intimate knowledge of the marketplace undoubtedly played an important role in the sale of this property and we are delighted to have fulfilled our client’s requirements, by delivering a relatively straightforward sale at an attractive price.”
DM Hall has a network of offices across Scotland and the North of England with the recent addition of new offices in Carlisle and Kendal.
19 August 2024
Celebrating 20 Years of the Scottish Parliament Building: A Landmark Anniversary
Designed by the visionary EMBT Architects in collaboration with RMJM, the building stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of contemporary architecture, emerging from the Edinburgh landscape:
Scottish Parliament Building
14 August 2024
Spiersbridge Business Park in Thornliebank
Landmark business park on Glasgow’s Southside on the market for offers over £9.5m.
DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest independent firms of chartered surveyors, is now marketing Spiersbridge Business Park in Thornliebank, alongside joint agent, Lapsley McManus.
The 77,000 sq ft of office and industrial space, just ten miles from Glasgow city centre, produces a current annual rent receivable of around £839,000 per annum and at £9.5m, equates to a capital rate of £123 per sq ft.
Conceived, constructed and operated by Scotland-based developers largely from their own resources almost twenty years ago, the business park comprises a business centre, a two-storey office building occupied by East Renfrewshire Council, and a number of industrial units, all of which are fully let.
Jonathan McManus, a partner of Agency at DM Hall said: “Spiersbridge Business Park is a huge success story, providing highly sought-after flexible business space on the southside of Glasgow and little over a mile from the M77. This investment is ideal for new owners seeking secure income.
“The current owners have built a strong product with a waiting list for the space within the estate from interested potential tenants.
“DM Hall and Lapsley McManus are seeking offers over £9.5m reflecting a yield of 8.28%.”
DM Hall has a network of offices across Scotland and the North of England with the recent addition of new offices in Carlisle and Kendal.
14 August 2024
Finnieston Building News
A milestone project has gone on site to support the transformation of a vacant hotel into luxury student accommodation in Glasgow’s West End.
The construction project is the first project Parklane Group has undertaken north of the border.
The former three-star Lorne Hotel, located on the corner of Glasgow’s Derby Street and Sauchiehall Street comprises two distinct buildings which adjoin each other in the prominent west end location.
The property features an existing Grade A listed building to the rear, with a larger, more prominent, extended building built in the 1960s to the front.
The main body of the modern building will see full renovation works internally, as well as a new external façade, transforming into 147 studio apartments. The older part of the building, which is Grade A listed, will also benefit from some minimal stone repair and a new slated roof as well as some internal works.
13 August 2024
Pollokshields Bank Building
A B-listed former bank at 236 Albert Drive, Pollokshields, is to be converted by Glasgow-based design studio Arch Interiors into a specialist dessert bar.
Chillicious Café & Desserts propose a waffle and crepe themed environment, including a feature marshmallow wall, to bring the space to life.
12 August 2024
Park Conservation Area Property News
Klash Properties and architectural office Inkdesign have released plans for a contemporary detached mews home to the rear of Sandyford Place in the Park conservation area of Glasgow.
Replacing an existing extension dating from the 1980s, last used as a garage and office space, the property proposal aims to blend into the established district with a traditional pitched roof design.
8 August 2024
B-listed Glasgow villa demolition
Emergency demolition works are to be carried out at a former religious centre at 10 Great George Street. The B-listed Glasgow villa property – located in the heart of Glasgow’s West End – is to be made safe following the collapse of its roof and interior structure.
Dem-Master will clear fallen masonry and timber before bracing masonry walls with steel beams in a building facade retention operation.
15 July 2024
Over 1,800 Affordable Homes Stalled By Funding Cuts
Over 1,800 new affordable homes have been stalled as a result of funding cuts to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) which was reduced by nearly 26% in the Scottish Budget in March.
That is the finding of data collected from members of representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) which reveals that around 5,000 new, high quality, energy efficient homes (1,826 of which are designated as affordable housing) are on sites that have stalled because of cuts to the AHSP.
The figures confirm the interdependencies between public and private sector housing delivery given the nature of developer contributions as 22 per cent of affordable homes stalled are on mixed tenure sites.
The survey also found that 1,542 of the stalled homes, of which 848 were affordable, are from sites within local authorities which have already declared local housing emergencies (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian).
Commenting on the figures, HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“These latest insights clearly illustrate the impact the devastating cuts to the Affordable Housing Budget have had on all-tenure housing delivery across Scotland, leaving thousands of vitally needed new homes across the country facing years of delay or, even worse, completely mothballed at a time of national emergency. This only adds further pressure to the 693,000 households already in some form of housing need.
“With latest Scottish Government statistics showing housing starts and completions in rapid decline and new independent research highlighting the alarming contraction in small and medium sized home builders, the housing sector is calling out for genuine emergency action from government.
“The impact of the cuts that have devastated the Housing Budget are now clear for all to see. The Scottish Government must utilise all powers within its own control to ease the pressures facing the housing sector to catalyse the delivery of new homes across all tenures, whether this be urgently reviewing proposed regulation and policy or tackling the untenable planning processing times that are stifling the speed of future development.
“HFS, alongside other major housing stakeholders, has set out a clear Housing Emergency Action Plan to the Scottish Government. This is in addition to a range of evidenced solutions already submitted with the insights of our member companies who deliver the vast majority of all new homes across Scotland.”
11 July 2024
Renfrew Bridge – New River Clyde Crossing
Architect: Kettle Collective
photo © PLP, courtesy Renfrewshire Council
Renfrew Bridge
Tony said: “It’s fantastic to work closer to home. It means more if you are given a chance to contribute to improving people’s lives close to where you live.
“Shipbuilding on the Clyde inspired our design. The visual history of cranes juxtaposed against each other and the way the dry docks are cut into the banks at an angle. The challenge was to capture that spirit of movement in the angles of the new bridge structure, and to accentuate the fact this is a moving structure, not just another static bridge.
8 July 2024
Homes for Scotland response to Chancellor’s speech on housing and planning
Responding to the speech given by the Chancellor today, Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“It is very encouraging to see the new UK government placing a major emphasis on housing delivery and the planning system, with the new Chancellor making announcements on these within 72 hours. But with both of these matters devolved, will the Scottish Government listen to those who are saying unequivocally “it’s not working for us” and recalibrate to change the alarming downwards trajectory on housing numbers?
Will it bravely acknowledge that the root causes lie not only in UK capital budgets but in an underinvestment in our planning regime and a regulatory environment that fails to recognise the unintended consequences of policies created with poor understanding of the costs, the impacts on consumers and, critically, on those organisations, both private and public who build the much-needed homes of all tenures that we require?
“With another 18 months before the Scottish 2026 elections, there IS time for impactful change. Together with other stakeholders, we have set out a clear action plan of what needs to happen. With collaboration, strong leadership, evidenced and informed policy making and measured consultations and collaboration, we can reverse the year-on-year decline in housing numbers (latest figures show significant falls in both starts and completions at 15% and 17% respectively) and address the shortfall of more than 100,000 homes that has accumulated since 2008.”
3 Jul 2024
Paisley Central Library takes home silver at prestigious Scottish Design Awards
photo courtesy of Renfrewshire Council
Paisley Central Library has been recognised for its innovative design after taking home silver in the Regeneration category at the Scottish Design Awards. Located within Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub, the library is part of an ongoing drive to regenerate Paisley and give people new reasons to visit the town centre:
Paisley Central Library Building
25 June 2024
Housing Starts And Completions Continue Rapid Decline, Crippling Social Wellbeing And Aspirations Of Scots
New statistics published today continue to show Scotland’s housing situation is in rapid decline, with both starts and completions across all sectors falling significantly (by 15 per cent and 17 per cent respectively) in the financial year end to March 2024. This now represents four consecutive quarters of decline in all-sector housing starts, a key indicator of future housing completions.
For more about Scotland’s housing situation see Edinburgh Building News 2024
The latest Scottish Government housing statistics are available here.
24 June 2024
Trustees for the Scottish Historic Building Trust
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sustainable development of Scotland’s historic buildings. Our mission is to safeguard architecturally and culturally significant buildings for future generations while ensuring they contribute to the vibrant life of our communities.
Our team has specialist skills in historic building preservation, fundraising, project management and property management. We also bring expertise in event management, building interpretation and in delivering educational programmes. So far, we have restored over 30 buildings and raised more than £30 million.
Following a recent review, we are seeking to appoint four additional trustees to join our strong and committed board. We are particularly interested in inspirational and dynamic applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Strategy development and leadership
- Finance
- Heritage conservation
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Property development
- Asset management
By joining SHBT as a Trustee, you’ll have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Scotland’s historic landscape. Your professional expertise and passion for our built heritage will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organisation and the preservation of Scotland’s history.
Trustees serve a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further three years. Successful applicants will be expected to attend four meetings a year, either at one of our own buildings or another site of interest and will have over-arching statutory duties in respect of governance.
For more information on the work of SHBT please visit our website at www.shbt.org.uk. To apply, please send a summary CV together with a covering letter outlining how you will contribute to the Board to [email protected]
Registered Charity number No. SC034507
11 June 2024
Candleriggs Square Build-to-Rent Apartments
The £300 million transformation of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City is continuing apace following the completion of the second major building on the site – a 346-homes build-to-rent scheme, forward-funded by Legal & General (L&G). Main contractor Graham Construction has delivered the practical completion of the £81.5 million scheme, allowing L&G to progress with the internal fit-out of the building before the first residents move in later this summer:
Candleriggs Square Apartments Merchant City
3 June 2024
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition
After being recently exhibited at the Sir John Soane Museum for the World Architecture Festival drawing prize, architect Alan Dunlop’s triptych of the 2018 Mackintosh inferno has now been accepted by the Royal Academy of Arts for their summer exhibition. The show begins on 18th June.
The Herald – Mackintosh fire article:
For more about the Glasgow School of Art Inferno Triptych by architect Alan Dunlop – see Edinburgh Building News 2024
27 May 2024
Architecture students take top prize in Women in Property Central Scotland Student Awards
Two students from the Universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh have been announced as the regional winners at the Women in Property Central Scotland Student Awards, kindly sponsored by Avison Young, BakerHicks and Tilbury Douglas. The event provided employers in the property and construction sector with a platform to engage with some of the most promising undergraduates in the built environment sector, and was hosted alongside the branch’s annual Summer Drinks reception, by Gardiner & Theobald at Bonnie and Wild in Edinburgh.
Photo shows Phoebe Vendil (L) and Caitlin Griffiths, winners of the Women in Property Central Scotland Student Awards 2024:
Caitlin Griffiths, studying BSc Hons Architectural Studies at the University of Strathclyde, was described by the judges as “having a good understanding of the brief” and giving “great story telling and great responses”.
Phoebe Vendil, studying MA Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, was described by the judges as “engaging during and after the presentation” and praised her “confidence, thoughts on key important topics and impressive volunteering”.
Jillian Love, Chair of Women in Property Central Scotland and Marketing Executive at Gardiner & Theobald, was delighted for Caitlin and Phoebe stressing the importance of supporting and recognising local talent. She emphasised the ongoing collaboration between universities and businesses in the region to nurture skilled professionals in the face of a persistent skills shortage, and gender imbalance in the industry.
The Women in Property Student Awards programme, sponsored nationally by Amazon, Bouygues UK, Savills and tp bennett, aims to showcase top-performing built environment students and highlight the diverse career opportunities within the industry. Caitlin and Phoebe’s success underscores the calibre of talent within Central Scotland.
The national final, on Thursday 19th September in London, will see Caitlin and Phoebe compete against 12 other students from across the UK for the prestigious national award. The winner will be announced at the Best of the Best Dinner at Claridge’s later that evening.
20 May 2024
Homes For Scotland Announces Annual Award Winners
With a focus on how its members are meeting the housing needs of everyone living (or who wishes to live) in Scotland, the winners of this year’s Homes for Scotland (HFS) awards have been announced.
The annual event, which was attended by over 900 senior representatives from across the home building sector in Edinburgh on Friday 17 May, was hosted by comedian, podcaster and writer Jen Brister.
Scottish Architecture News 2024
15 May 2024
Transformation of Candleriggs Square
A significant milestone has been reached in the £300 million regeneration of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City, one of Scotland’s most high-profile city centre development sites. Developed by a joint venture bringing together Drum Property Group and Stamford Investments, the site has marked its first completed building following the highly awaited opening of the UK’s first The Social Hub – a four-star hybrid hospitality location combining hotel, student & extended stay accommodation, co-working space and leisure facilities.
15 May 2024
Scottish Design Awards 2024 News
The Scottish Design Awards 2024 presentation is due to take place on 27 June.
The jury have been busy rating hundreds of entries, sifting out the most exceptional submissions for a coveted gold or silver award:
15 May 2024
Housing emergency declaration welcomed but focus must be on what happens next
Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents organisations delivering the majority of the country’s new homes, supports today’s anticipated declaration of a national housing emergency. However, it now asks that political leadership demonstrates a move from a position of blame to one of solution and change. Regulatory reform is now required to increase the supply of new homes across all tenures, as well as reversing the devastating cuts to the Housing and Building Standards Budget.
HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“Unless the Scottish Government provides an emergency response that urgently addresses the shortfalls within the Housing Budget and the existing policy and regulatory constraints that serve only to restrict new housing supply across all tenures, today’s declaration of a national housing emergency will be no more than a symbolic gesture.”
“With over a quarter of all Scottish households in some form of housing need and housing starts and completions across all tenures in freefall, recycling the same tired excuses that Brexit, cost price inflation and Westminster are the main drivers of the housing crisis just doesn’t cut it.
“Whilst these are of course significant issues, Scotland’s population and the sector that provides homes for our communities deserve better. The Government must now forensically look at the solutions and take the actions required to address the systemic underfunding of the planning system alongside a swift review of existing and forthcoming housing policy to ensure Scotland has a housing system equipped to deliver homes across all tenures.
“The first step the Scottish Government could take to show it means business is to fundamentally review the forthcoming Housing Bill to ensure that it focuses on increasing supply, rather than creating an unworkable system of rent controls that is stifling inward investment into our housing system.
“HFS and our members stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to ensure today’s declaration is matched with an appropriate emergency response which aligns with a focus on new housing delivery across the Scottish Government, local authorities and those delivering the much-needed new homes. The First Minister has the perfect opportunity to set out his approach to collaboration this Friday, as over 900 senior sector leaders meet in Edinburgh for our Annual Lunch & Awards.”
13 May 2024
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Reimagined
The UK is home to many famous and historic buildings, but what if alternative design plans for these structures had triumphed over what we see today?
What if there had been a different competition winner? Well the building would still face the same way, but it could have looked like this competition entry from 1892 with towers at each corner and a scaled back entrance:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
13 May 2024
National Monument of Scotland Reimagined
The National Monument of Scotland in Edinburgh is situated atop Calton Hill. The neoclassical structure is a memorial to those who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 to 1815.
9 May 2024
Home builders warmly welcome proposal for standalone National Outcome on Housing
Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members who together deliver the majority of the country’s new homes, has warmly welcomed today’s news that the Scottish Government is proposing to introduce a standalone National Outcome on Housing – something the organisation has campaigned strongly for.
At a time when five local authorities have declared housing emergencies and independent research has found that 28 per cent of all Scottish households are in some form of housing need, HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood, said:
“I am delighted to see Housing being proposed as a standalone National Outcome following our ask during the consultation process. Recognising how foundational housing across all tenures is for everyone, this is a major step forward, not only for all of us representing the sector at this very challenging time but also, and more importantly, those desperately in need of a home.
“With the new leadership that is now in place, we look forward to working with government on integrating housing across directorates in recognition of its critical role in Scotland’s social wellbeing, economic success and transition to net zero.”
7 May 2024
Scottish Housing Crisis – John Swinney is the New First Minister
Responding to this afternoon’s appointment of John Swinney as First Minister, Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland, said:
“With the housing crisis intensifying across the country, impacting both social and economic outcomes, there is a pressing need for dedicated, single-issue leadership at Cabinet level in order to reflect both the urgency of the situation and the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that we have the range of homes that Scotland requires for its future wellbeing and success. Homes for Scotland and its members stand ready to work positively and constructively with the new administration to achieve this.”
30 April 2024
Blackfinch Property Glasgow Housing Development
Design: Nixon Blue
image courtesy of architects practice
Blackfinch Property has announced an £11.1 million investment into a residential development in Partick, one of Glasgow’s most vibrant commuter areas. This project, undertaken by Nixon Blue, will see the construction of 48 two-bedroom flats designed to meet high sustainability standards:
30 April 2024
Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre to become non-domestic retrofit demonstrator
BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation) is proud to announce that it has been awarded over £1.2M in grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Salix Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, to retrofit the Accelerator Lab at its Hamilton Technology Park Innovation Campus – which houses Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre. BE-ST is Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment and is administered by Edinburgh Napier University.
BE-ST Accelerator Lab during BE-ST Fest 2023:
Undertaking a deep retrofit of Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre will create the opportunity for BE-ST to transform the building into a living demonstrator of best practice in the retrofit of non-domestic buildings. Through the process of retrofitting, BE-ST will test and optimise approaches and work out the complexities of retrofitting a large-scale, multi-use building like the Accelerator Lab so that the challenges, solutions and learnings can be shared in real time with stakeholders across the built environment through regular updates via BE-ST’s social media and online channels as well as open-days.
Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund is delivered by Salix and is run by the Scottish Government.
The retrofit plan is ambitious. Designed by John Gilbert Architects (JGA) and BE-ST, it will take a fabric-first approach to achieve both the International EnerPHit and Scottish Net Zero Public Sector Building standards. The building will transition from its current gas-based heating system to an innovative zero direct emissions heating solution and will see the installation of mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, a cutting-edge curtain-walling system, a solar PV integrated roof, and energy-efficient LED lighting controls amongst other measures.
Supported by JGA, BE-ST staff, Edinburgh Napier University and specialist contractors, both during the retrofit process and once complete, the Accelerator Lab will showcase what innovative deep retrofit of large-scale non-domestic buildings can look like.
Stephen Good, CEO of BE-ST, says, “Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre should be a shining beacon of best practice that the entire sector is responsible for, and involved in. Not only will people learn from the retrofit training that will take place within the building, but from the building’s own retrofit journey too.”
“That’s why securing this investment from Scottish Government, which builds on generous funding provided by our host institution Edinburgh Napier University to help purchase the building in 2022, will allow us to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
“Retrofitting existing buildings to achieve zero carbon outcomes is never easy but what we will learn by going through this process will be invaluable and we are excited to share the journey with the sector every step of the way.”
Caitriona Jordan, Head of Retrofit at BE-ST and the project lead, says, “The Accelerator Lab retrofit is a significant step towards understanding what it means to undergo a deep retrofit of a complex, non-domestic building like this. We will be learning, documenting and measuring throughout the entire process to meet EnerPHit and Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard requirements – all to create a living case study at BE-ST that we hope will inspire and inform future retrofit across Scotland and beyond.”
Director of Programmes at Salix, Ian Rodger says, “We need to take action today to address climate change which is one of the biggest issues of our time. We are looking forward to working with Edinburgh Napier University and the BE-ST project to retrofit the Accelerator Lab at its Hamilton Technology Park Innovation Campus.
“We are impressed by the vision the university has for its future and how it plans to minimise its impact on the environment.”
The BE-ST Accelerator Lab retrofit project also aligns with Edinburgh Napier University’s long-term vision for sustainability and infrastructure development. As part of project VISION, the University is committed to creating a future-ready campus that meets the needs of its diverse community while minimising its environmental impact, and BE-ST’s Accelerator Lab will be a critical pilot in establishing future programmes of work across the university’s wider campus.
For more about the retrofit of the A Lab, please visit: https://be-st.build/be-st-campus/national-retrofit-centre-of-excellence/
26 April 2024
Scotland requires more than short-term ad-hoc measures to address the housing crisis
Sector body Homes for Scotland, which represents organisations delivering the majority of the country’s new homes, has described today’s announcement by the First Minister of a £80 million uplift over the next two years for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) as doing little to alleviate the glaring black hole in the AHSP budget following its recent 26 per cent cut and absolutely nothing to increase the overall supply of homes.
Fionna Kell, Director of Policy at representative body Homes for Scotland, said:
“Whilst we, of course, welcome additional AHSP funding coming forward, the truth is that £80 million split over two years will do little to address the original 26 per cent reduction of nearly £200 million this financial year.
“With four Local Authorities having declared housing emergencies and recent independent research highlighting that over a quarter of all Scottish households find themselves in some form of housing need, the sector is crying out for long term investment certainty to be prioritised with the appropriate funding, resource and evidence-based regulation needed to address the intensifying housing crisis rather than short-term ad-hoc measures.
“It is in this context that we are calling on the First Minister to carry out a comprehensive and holistic policy review to ensure we have a housing system that supports the delivery of high quality homes across all tenures to support ambitions for a just transition and wellbeing economy. Action to significantly increase new supply is fundamental to this.”
17 April 2024
Scotland’s heritage sector publish roadmap to help tackle skills gap
Future skills strategy launched following sector-wide collaboration.
A new five-year plan has been launched today, 17 April, to help tackle Scotland’s heritage skills gaps. The skills strategy is a collaborative framework to create collective solutions that support the future of our historic environment and the communities across Scotland that rely on it.
The Skills Investment Plan (SIP) identifies priority actions to build a healthy and sustainable skills system which supports paid staff, volunteers, sole traders, and organisations of all sizes spanning this diverse sector. Over its lifespan, the plan will focus on three priority themes: to grow provision and build capacity; attract future talent and improve access to the workforce; and foster innovation.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and 15 sector partners coordinated extensive research with 160 organisations and 340 individuals to support the development of the refreshed plan, including sector partners, employers, volunteers, professional bodies, skills bodies and educational institutions. Together, these groups identified the priority areas for action to continue to build on the roadmap set out in 2019 in the sector’s first dedicated skills strategy.
The first five-year plan saw progress in key areas including the creation of employability programmes in traditional building skills, developing a new training programme in energy efficiency, and reaching nearly 15,000 young people through campaigns like Creative Careers Week, Build Your Future, and Defend the Castle to attract new talent. The landscape has changed since the first plan was published and the sector continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining talent post-Brexit, as well as the additional work required to bring operations back to pre-pandemic levels.
The refreshed plan will be launched at the Engine Shed, Scotland’s national conservation centre, to over 100 representatives involved in skills planning and delivery, leading heritage organisations, and funders, and will feature an address from Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.
Culture Minister Kaukab Stewart said:
“The launch of the refreshed Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to safeguard and celebrate our historic environment. But it is only the beginning and I call upon those involved to actively engage in the delivery of the Skills Investment Plan over the next five years and face the challenges head-on together, with confidence and innovation.
“Through this refreshed Skills Investment Plan, and through collaboration across the country, we aim to build an accessible skills system for the historic environment sector that will provide a fairer and more sustainable future for everyone.”
Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at HES, said:
“The partnership and collaboration involved in developing this strategy demonstrates how we will work together as a sector and with our partners to build a skills system that works for the sector, that supports us to address challenges and seize opportunities collectively. We have learned from recent global challenges and their impact on the delivery of the SIP. Therefore, it’s important that we work together as a sector and we remain committed to cooperation and collaboration. The themes and priority actions in the refreshed plan move us closer to our collective goal of helping to address the skills challenges constraining the operation and growth of the historic environment.
“A sustainable and successful heritage sector is also vital in meeting Scotland’s net zero target. This plan helps pave the way for us to attract and retain the skills and talent we need for a fairer, greener future. The plan recognises that a skilled workforce is crucial for the sector to continue to deliver for Scotland’s economy and to manage, protect and conserve our historic environment for generations to come.”
The Skills Investment Plan supports the delivery of Our Past, Our Future, Scotland’s strategy for the historic environment. Under this strategy organisations across the country are working together to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland’s historic environment which, pre-covid, contributed £4.2 billion to Scotland’s economy. The plan responds to one of its key principles to help nurture and grow an inclusive, diverse and skilled workforce.
Cara Jones, Sector Skills Manager at The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), said:
“Being part of the Skills Investment Plan (SIP) has supported Scottish archaeology to further develop a strategic approach for skill development initiatives. It has enabled fresh conversations within our sector and beyond, and supported us to explore shared challenges, barriers and potential solutions. This includes maintaining the role that our sector plays in the active delivery of Our Past, Our Future and ‘Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy’. The sub-sector collaboration, enabled by being part of the Skills Investment Plan helps save time, resource and enables us to share expertise and learning experiences.
“CIfA has been pleased to contribute to the development of the refreshed SIP which will support the delivery of our own strategic objectives to ensure that our standards for accrediting competence, education, training and qualification standards are applicable and appropriate across all specialisms and roles. This work will not only help shape and promote archaeology as an attractive, rewarding and worthwhile career with parity of esteem with other professions, it will also support the development and promotion of non-traditional, diverse pathways to and through a career in Scottish archaeology.
“We are delighted to see the refreshed Skills Investment Plan launch today and look forward to supporting the future delivery of the strategy.”
The refreshed plan is available to download on the HES website.
4 April 2024
Scottish land art by Charles Jencks recognised
Historic Environment Scotland has today added Crawick Multiverse, Upper Nithsdale, Dumfries & Galloway, to the inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes:
Crawick Multiverse land art installation, Scotland
31 March 2024
The Herald’s Investigations Glasgow School of Art –
The Glasgow Herald’s in-depth investigations into the two fires at the city’s Mac, running now over seven days.
This exclusive is the most critical, published today, Sunday.
“Many of the existing features /operational procedures within the building fail to comply with modern fire safety requirements / legislation and could potentially cause, or contribute significantly to a fire within the building.”
Glasgow School of Art building news
28 March 2024
Simplifying Scottish Planning Process
Updating permitted development rights in response to cost and climate challenges.
New measures to simplify the planning process for zero and low carbon technologies will help homeowners and businesses save money and reduce their emissions:
– read more at Scottish Architecture News
27 Mar 2024
New River Clyde bridge from Renfrew to Yoker advances
Construction of the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde has taken a fresh step forward as new dolphins have been installed into position on the river.
The dolphins are steel structures which are the latest part of the project to be completed and provide the additional safety infrastructure required for boats moving along the river past the new bridge.
The structures took five months to create and were cut, welded and assembled by steel fabricating company Had Fab. Using 100-tonne cranes the dolphins were lifted onto a transporter at Westway in Renfrew onto a barge and were sailed down the White Cart, onto the Clyde and into their final positions – with four dolphins installed to support vessels up to 160m in length.
Greg Scott, Managing Director at Had Fab, said: “Had Fab was delighted to be appointed to fabricate, trial erect, assemble and load out the dolphin fenders for the new road bridge over the River Clyde.
“This is a flagship infrastructure project for Renfrewshire that will regenerate the Clyde waterfront and Had Fab is hugely proud to be part of such an iconic construction that will deliver economic growth, create a vibrant waterfront and transform the Glasgow City Region.”
The blasting and painting of the dolphins was commissioned by Had Fab to local Renfrewshire company Clyde Corrosion Control who are based at Westway, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
Managing Director Jamie Lowson said: “This was a great project to work on as it was located so close to home for us. A lot of our workers are local, and it will give them pride to see their work as part of such a substantial infrastructure project in Renfrew.
“I think the new bridge is a great investment as it will improve the local transport infrastructure and provide a link between Renfrew and Clydebank that was not there before – giving people the option to walk, cycle or drive between the two towns and access health, social and work benefits on both sides of the river. I know it will certainly make my commute a lot easier!
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project aims to regenerate the Clyde waterfront with a new bridge from Renfrew to Yoker, as well as additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes.
It will create better connectivity for communities, attract new jobs and developments to the riverside, and enhance the access for businesses and suppliers to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS.
The bridge is due to arrive in two separate sections in April and May and it will then be installed and commissioned on site before opening to the public later in the year.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s fantastic to see the new bridge take another step forward as these dolphins are installed to support ships to dock when required – and it’s great to see a Renfrewshire business involved in this part of the project.
“The bridge is going to be transformative for Renfrew, Clydebank and the surrounding areas with enhanced connectivity for local people, visitors and businesses, including supporting a new route into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, and I’m looking forward to seeing the project advance ahead of its opening later in the year.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a partnership of eight councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.
UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “The installation of the steel dolphins is a great moment for this flagship infrastructure project to regenerate the Clyde, improve connectivity and boost the economy.
“The UK Government is proud to be investing £39 million in the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside scheme, part of our £523 million investment into the Glasgow City Region Deal, and more than £3 billion for levelling up across Scotland.”
Case study with Jamie Lowson, Managing Director of Clyde Corrosion Control:
Jamie Lowson is Managing Director of Renfrew-based business Clyde Corrosion Control and was delighted his firm could be part of the ongoing project to deliver the new bridge from Renfrew to Yoker – the first opening road bridge across the Clyde.
The company, who are based in Renfrewshire at Westway in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, were involved in creating the new dolphin structures that have been installed in the water near the site of the new bridge – but they’re not quite the wildlife that the name normally suggests.
The steel structures are the latest part of the project to be completed and were carried out by steel fabricating company Had Fab. They provide the additional safety infrastructure required for boats moving along the river past the new bridge – and four sets are in place to support vessels up to 160m in length.
Clyde Corrosion Control were commissioned by Had Fab to carry out the blasting and painting of the dolphins after they had been fabricated, and Jamie was delighted to work on such a substantial infrastructure project in the local area.
“We had heard Had Fab were fabricating the dolphins and reached out to them as they were a valued client, and we were delighted to take on the blasting and painting of the dolphins.
“We have two Nace 2 inspectors, Douglas Smith and myself, and we carried out the works. It was great to be involved in a local project of this type as we often work across a number of sectors such as oil and gas, marine, construction, renewables, nuclear and defence.
“So, working on a project located so close to home and one that will benefit the local community enormously has been brilliant. A lot of our workers are local, and it will give them pride and a talking point with their friends and families to see their work as part of such an important infrastructure project for the area.”
“As part of our role in the project, we were able to hire an apprentice who now has real-life experience of a live project and they have come on leaps and bounds since they started with us.
“I’m sure this is the same across all the companies involved in the bridge construction and development so it’s great to see local jobs being created and this new transport connection will only increase that when the bridge opens later this year.
“It’s a project that I know our apprentice will remember fondly in years to come, as I know I will too!”
Work continues on the infrastructure for the bridge on site, including a new road on the Renfrew side that connects through Blythswood into Inchinnan and AMIDS and will improve traffic flow in the local area.
The bridge itself is due to arrive in two separate sections in April and May where it will be installed and commissioned on site before opening to the public later in the year.
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal which is formed of eight partner councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.
26 March 2024
Scottish Government Can No Longer Ignore Housing Crisis As Starts Plummet By 24 Per Cent
Scotland’s population and home building sector deserve better than same old responses week after fourth local authority declares housing emergency
New statistics published today reflect Scotland’s dire housing situation, with both completions and starts across all sectors falling significantly by 11 per cent and 24 per cent respectively in the year end to December 2023.
– see Scottish Architecture News
22 March 2024
ALT office in Golden Z quarters
photo courtesy of ALT creative media and digital marketing agency
One of Glasgow’s most vibrant creative media and digital marketing agencies, ALT proudly announces the opening of its new offices in the city’s highly sought after Golden Z, situated within the innovative Glasgow Avenues project.
The company has strategically chosen the historic and beautifully restored McLellan Works for its state-of-the-art office. This significant move not only marks a new era in ALT’s story, but also demonstrates Founders David and Laura Haggerty’s commitment to sustainability and community:
post updated 20 March 2024
SELECT warns that the competence of installers is paramount as the Scottish Government seeks to introduce new Heat in Buildings standards
Scotland’s largest construction trade body, SELECT, says the Scottish Government needs to set minimum standards of competence for installers as well as installations as it seeks to implement new domestic heating standards.
The campaigning electrical association also says that any new plans also have to take into account the capacity of the energy network as the demand for more electrically-driven technologies and basic infrastructure grows.
SELECT’s warnings came as it responded to a recent Scottish Government consultation into proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, which plans to introduce a law requiring homeowners to ensure their homes meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2033.
The body said that while it agrees in general with the proposal to prohibit the use of polluting heating systems in all buildings by 2045, care was needed that advantage was not taken of vulnerable people and that the increased cost of energy was taken into consideration.
In its response, SELECT said: “We have seen several government projects run into problems as they often leave the door open for unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the government’s own messaging as a way of convincing people that work is required when often it is not.
“Any demands for work needs to be set in the context of availability of energy supply, material supply and labour. Added to that is the increased cost of energy – the differential between gas and electric costs.”
The association added: “It is also vital that the Scottish Government legislates to ensure installations are only undertaken by properly qualified, trained and competent persons. This is as important as any other measure.”
SELECT also warned that poorer households may be less likely to install new low-carbon heating technology, since the cost of undertaking such work will be significant, particularly when the age of Scotland’s housing stock is taken into account.
Its response noted: “To get by, homeowners may take ‘sticking plaster’ actions. For instance, if a house is in a city centre, a flat or in a conservation area, then owners may take easy solutions and not, perhaps, the best solution.”
SELECT is now recommending that:
- Properties should be considered compliant once they have installed the measures appropriate for the building type
- Bio energy should be permitted for those buildings already using it, and
- There should be a grace period of five years to end the use of polluting energy following a property purchase.
Its response added: “The requirement to end the use of polluting heating following a property purchase will penalise those in older properties and especially those in our society less able to pay for measures such as the disabled or elderly.
“They often have asset wealth but not cash wealth, so selling their home to, say, downsize may penalise them if purchasers are either put off from buying or are told they can only buy with a mortgage at a higher rate.”
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “In this consultation, we are suggesting that while we support the general aim to move towards net zero, we must be careful about the danger of unintended consequences.
“Owners of properties that may find it difficult to improve their energy efficiency, particularly in buildings in areas where there are constraints to the electricity network, may be forced to install systems that are expensive or unsuitable to run.
“I know a number of local authorities that are already divesting themselves of building assets that will need considerable sums spent on them. This is already having an unintended consequence of depriving areas of meeting and events halls.”
The Scottish Government consultation – which closed on 8 March – sought views on proposed new laws around the use of heating systems in homes and businesses that would:
- Reconfirm that the use of polluting heating systems will be prohibited after 2045
- Require those purchasing a home or business premises to end their use of polluting heating systems within a fixed period following completion of the sale
- Introduce a new law that will require homeowners to make sure that their homes meet a reasonable minimum energy efficiency standard by 2033
- Require private landlords to meet this minimum energy efficiency standard by 2028.
15 March 2024
Hielanman’s Umbrella Refurbishment
Glasgow’s Hielanman’s Umbrella could be revamped with new multi-coloured shops and neon lights under new proposals for the city centre, rerports BBC Scotland today.
The covered section of Argyle Street, below the platforms of Glasgow Central Station, last saw major refurbishment in the 1990s:
13 March 2024
RSA Diploma Talk by Paul Stallan RSA (Elect)
Join us at Oxford House in Glasgow this March to hear from Paul Stallan RSA (Elect).
In this inaugural talk of our new Diploma series, the acclaimed director of Stallan-Brand architects will guide us through his gallery and studio, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. The highlight of the evening will be an in-depth discussion with RSA’s Head of Collections, Sandy Wood, which will focus on Stallan’s proposed diploma deposit.
Date: Thursday 21 March, 6.30 – 8pm
Venue: Oxford House, 80 Nicholson St, Glasgow
Cost: Tickets £15
2 March 2024
Scottish Buildings – RAAC Found
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found to be in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry, south Aberdeen, reports the BBC.
Aberdeen City Council said it would support its tenants and engage with owners and privately rented tenants to keep them informed.
The Scottish government has said it will continue to keep in close contact with the local council to ensure those affected receive the appropriate support.
RAAC is a cheap version of concrete that was used mostly in construction between the 1950s and 1990s.
It has a lifespan of about 30 years and concerns have mounted about the impact of water ingress on its safety.
RAAC found in Balnagask, Torry, Aberdeen
Glasgow Building News February 2024
27 February 2024
Scottish Housing crisis set to deepen even further
Today’s passing of the Scottish Budget 2024 – 2025 at Holyrood will perpetuate housing inequality across the country and limit the number of new homes coming forward across all tenures, says sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS).
– see Edinburgh Building News for 2024
26 February 2024
Open Letter Urges First Minister To Think Again About Housing And Planning Budget Cuts
Worst possible decision at worst possible time
26th of February 2024 – An open letter in today’s Daily Record is urging the First Minister to think again about the cuts being proposed to the 2024-25 budgets for housing and planning.
The call comes the day before the Scottish Parliament votes on the draft Scottish Budget for the year ahead and follows the findings of independent research showing that 693,000 Scottish households are facing some form of housing need. It also comes in the context of three Local Authorities having already declared housing emergencies and others considering similar action.
The letter has been signed by housing organisations Homes for Scotland (HFS), the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and the Chartered Institute for Housing together with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said:
“Parliament will tomorrow decide whether to approve the Scottish Government’s budget – a budget that proposes to slash the money available to build social homes by more than a quarter.
“Almost one in twenty people in Scotland are on a waiting list for a social home, 30,000 are homeless and nearly 10,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation. We just aren’t building the homes that Scotland needs.
“The budget proposals represent the worst possible decision at the worst possible time and are a hammer-blow to the First Minister’s priority of reducing poverty.”
HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:
“At a time when 693,000 Scottish households are facing some form of housing need, all the data shows that the chronic undersupply of housing in Scotland is intensifying. This not only threatens the country’s social wellbeing by perpetuating housing inequality but also risks its economic success and the transition to net zero.
“As we consistently highlight, private and affordable housing delivery are interconnected. With 30 per cent of affordable housing generated by the private sector through developer contributions, the more homes for sale that can be built, the more affordable homes will be delivered as a result. Given the planning system is already on its knees, the 43 per cent funding reduction being proposed will serve only to increase delay and cost, and do nothing to encourage crucial private sector investment.
“We hope that the First Minister will think again about his government’s proposals and that all MSPs will carefully consider the housing needs of their constituents as they vote tomorrow.”
CIH Scotland National Director Callum Chomczuk said:
“Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis, with three local authorities already declaring housing emergencies and up to a dozen more on the brink of doing so.
“We all know what the problem is, a failure to build enough affordable homes, and yet the most recent budget exacerbates the crisis by taking almost £200m out of the housing supply budget. But it is not too late to make changes.
“Even at this late stage, the Scottish Government can restore the budget and work with the sector on developing a response to deal with the housing emergency. We hope they take the chance to make addressing Scotland’s housing crisis a political priority.”
Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said:
“There is still time for the First Minister to do the right thing and reverse this massive cut to the affordable housing supply budget. To fail to do so would be baffling in the face of spiralling homelessness and use of temporary accommodation, never mind the Scottish Government’s stated commitment to poverty reduction. Low-income tenants will face increasing rents and insecurity as the supply of affordable housing stalls. As a result of this cut to housing, this budget risks being a poverty causing budget rather than a poverty solving budget, and in the face of looming child poverty reduction targets is difficult to understand and even harder to defend.”
21 February 2024
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust appoints new Director
21st February 2024 – Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, the charity dedicated to regenerating significant historic buildings across Scotland, has appointed Dr Samuel Gallacher as Director.
– see Edinburgh Building News 2024
16 February 2024
River View Luxury Lodges
Work starts on idyllic River View Luxury Lodges on the Clyde at Langbank.
High-end lodges will open this summer.
An exciting, new holiday resort destination just 25 minutes from Glasgow city centre is set to open this summer as 18 luxury lodges, available for rental all year round, get under construction on the picturesque banks of the Clyde.
The £2.5m investment project is being undertaken by River View Luxury Lodges, whose site is located by the end of the M8 at West Ferry, Langbank, Renfrewshire. Ground has been broken this week and the owners expect to welcome their first visitors this summer when the first tranche of 6 lodges open.
Situated right on the southern edge of the river Clyde, with spectacular outlooks, each lodge will have uninterrupted views of Dumbarton Rock and beyond. Easy access is a key attraction, either from the M8 or Langbank railway station which sits on the Glasgow Central – Gourock line.
Guests will be able to choose from two and three-bed high-end self-catering lodges, complete with jacuzzi, barrel steam room, a full suite of on-demand TV packages and BBQ. In addition there will be a dedicated space for weddings and other events.
Popular local attractions include the Finlaystone Country Estate, with its woodlands, play areas and garden centre, hotel and leisure complex, Gleddoch Golf and Spa Resort, Coast Bar and Restaurant and Ingliston Hotel and Country Club.
River View Luxury Lodges is a venture led by Calum Melville, CEO of Edison Capital, whose operations include East Kilbride-headquartered Principal Building, which will construct and install the lodges.
Mr Melville said: “It has been a long road getting to this point but now that we have all the planning permissions in place, we are looking forward to seeing our vision made a reality.
“The popularity of luxury self-catering lodges in Scotland over the last ten years is well-documented and West Ferry will offer not only a relaxing stay in an idyllic setting but is also readily accessible to a huge swathe of Scotland’s population, being just 10 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from Glasgow city centre.
“Langbank is a lovely, friendly village with a fine golf course and a hospitality venue that attracts wedding guests and others all year round, so we anticipate that the local economy will be given a welcome economic boost by the River View Luxury Lodges and the steady number of visitors we hope to attract.
“In the wider area there’s something for everyone within a 30-minute drive including prestigious golf courses, fine dining, historical landmarks, and fantastic outdoor activities and scenery.”
14 February 2024
Woeful Scottish Planning Statistics
Woeful planning statistics are unacceptable with average processing times for major housing developments now taking over a year on average .
The number of local housing development applications has also fallen by 18 per cent across the same period, with average processing times for these being 17.8 weeks (more than double the eight week statutory timeframe).
Read more at: Scottish Architecture News
14 February 2024
Scottish Design Awards 2024 Jury
The Scottish Design Awards 2024 are pleased to present our twin judging panels for our 2024 awards, a handpicked team drawn from across the country with experience ranging from practice to academia and local government.
Read more at: Scottish Design Awards
Glasgow Building News 2024 – January
12 January 2024
292-298 St Vincent Street Property News
image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate / Homes for Students
Ambitious proposals for high quality student accommodation in the heart of Glasgow city centre have been given the go-ahead by Glasgow City Council. Award-winning developer Artisan Real Estate together with Homes for Students, the UK’s largest independent student management company, will now take forward proposals for 321 self-contained studio apartments at 292-298 St Vincent Street, aimed primarily at the post-graduate and overseas student market:
292-298 St Vincent Street Apartments
8 January 2024
UK Halifax House Price Index
The Halifax December House Price Index – published today – shows Scottish growth of 2.6% in 2023 compared to 1.7% for the UK overall.
Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland, said, “Today’s report shows Scotland as the second strongest nation or region in the UK with 2.6% growth in the price of the average home.”
– see Edinburgh Building News
2 January 2024
Alan Dunlop Architecture News
The Glasgow School of Art Fire by Scottish architect Alan Dunlop is shortlisted in the hand-drawn category:
Sir John Soane Museum GSA Architecture Drawing Prize
“An incredibly dramatic watercolour. The most dramatic drawing we’ve ever seen in this competition”
– see Alan Dunlop Architect
More contemporary Glasgow Building News 2024 online soon
Some More Glasgow Building News from December 2023 online soon for reference:
19 December 2023
Builders Shocked At udget Cuts To Housing And Planning
With the Scottish Government today announcing a 43 per cent funding cut for planning and a 33 per cent drop in the More Homes budget, Chief Executive of home building sector body Homes for Scotland Jane Wood comments – see the Edinburgh Building News for more.
13 December 2023
RIBA statement on COP28 outcomes
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Today’s historic agreement to deliver a new era of climate action is monumental. It’s the first time that a COP outcome has acknowledged the need to move away from fossil fuels – and this is a truly welcome and positive shift.”
Read more on the e-architect.com website.
13 December 2023
Heat Transition in Scotland
SNIPEF responds to the Scottish Government’s publication of ‘Starting a National Conversation on the Heat Transition in Scotland’
Industry expertise vital in shaping Scotland’s heat transition policy, says SNIPEF Chief Executive
In response to the publication of the Scottish Government’s ‘Starting a National Conversation on the Heat Transition in Scotland,’ Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), said: “We welcome the start of this crucial dialogue by the Scottish Government and particularly applaud the increased commitment to incorporating industry expertise into establishing achievable targets. This represents a significant step forward and, hopefully, addresses the historical issue of setting unrealistic goals without essential input from those with practical experience.
“While we agree that achieving a better balance between political aspirations and public engagement is essential, it is equally vital to recognise the indispensable roles of professions like plumbing and heating. These professions are integral to the design, installation, and maintenance of heat pumps and district heating systems, as well as the decommissioning of fossil fuel boilers.
“Without their insights and the necessary development of professionals, both new and through upskilling the existing workforce, the conversation will achieve little more than hot air.
“We hope this comprehensive and inclusive conversation is a valuable step toward ensuring all stakeholders are actively engaged in the low-carbon transition from fossil fuels. It is a significant stride forward, fittingly coinciding with the COP 28 agreement on the same day.”
More Glasgow Building News 2024 online soon
Contemporary Strathclyde Architecture by Typology – significant properties and structures:
Glasgow architecture competitions
Glasgow architecture exhibitions
Glasgow mixed-use developments
Over time we will add more granular types, for now they are combined, for example colleges are with universities.
More contemporary Glasgow Building News 2024 online soon, from Isabelle Lomholt and Adrian Welch at e-architect
Strathclyde Architectural Designs
Contemporary Strathclyde Architecture News Archive
2020
2019
2018
Glasgow Building News 2018 April – December 2018
Glasgow Architecture News 2018 up to end of April 2018
2017
Glasgow Building News from July 2017 to December 2017 – news archive
Glasgow Architecture News from end of January 2017 to July 2017 – news archive
2016
Glasgow Architecture News 2016 – end of January 2017 – news archive
2015
Glasgow Architecture News 2015 – news archive
Comments for the Glasgow Architectural News for 2024 – Scottish Architecture + construction – key West Scotland property – Strathclyde architecture & architects page welcome.