The Lighthouse Glasgow

Housed in a building by Rennie Mackintosh

Scottish Executive – Architecture PR
Lighthouse – Virtual Architecture Centre PR 2001

£900,000 NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE GOOD DESIGN AT HOME AND ABROAD

Raising awareness of the benefits of good building design by encouraging community participation in events and projects, is the main aim of a new nationwide programme announced today by the Deputy Culture Minister Allan Wilson.

Images: David Churchill / Phil Sayer

images : David Churchill

The Scottish Executive will provide £900,000 over the next three years for a programme to be developed by Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City, The Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse Glasgow programme will include:

– a Virtual Architecture Centre to use web-based technologies to provide information on architecture and the built environment as well as providing links for local architectural projects and events;
– an exhibitions programme to tour venues throughout Scotland;
– specially devised local events to encourage debate and interest in design and architecture throughout the country as well as small grants for local projects and community events.

The Minister welcomed the scheme and said it would help foster a healthy debate about the status of Scotland’s architecture both at home and abroad. He said: “I am delighted that The Lighthouse, with its international profile and reputation, will develop this programme. We share the aim of promoting excellence in design. “This national programme aims to stimulate community interest in architecture and the built environment. It includes direct support for local groups wishing to develop projects, events, publications and exhibitions.
There will also be a series of touring exhibitions and debates. A new web-site will make information on architecture easily accessible across Scotland, with links to local projects and to schools. “The quality of buildings directly affects our quality of life and it is right that we should all have the opportunity to help shape them.”

Lighthouse Glasgow photo from Steffen Schefer

Dr Stuart MacDonald, Director of The Lighthouse Glasgow, said: “The Lighthouse is absolutely delighted at this funding award. Crucially, it reinforces The Lighthouse’s national role and will facilitate a range of projects around Scotland aimed at raising awareness of the built environment.

Lighthouse Glasgow photo from NORD

“We are all consumers of architecture and this will allow The Lighthouse to take the debate into communities and schools. The Virtual Architecture Centre will bring architectural issues, events and information to an even larger audience. “With 400,000 visitors since opening The Lighthouse has demonstrated how to make architecture more accessible.

The projects this award makes possible – touring exhibitions, community schemes and promotion of the initiatives with the posts to develop them will extend that mission. “We look forward to underpinning the Executive’s policy on architecture and playing our role in promoting architecture within Scottish Enterprise’s creative industries strategy.”

Lighthouse Glasgow photos from Page Park

The new Virtual Architecture Centre (VAC) web-site will deliver information nationally on architecture and the built environment. The VAC will also act as a link to local on-line architecture centres which will reflect local interests, information and events. A development officer will be appointed to implement the programme.

BACKGROUND
The 2000 Spending Review allocated programme funds of £300,000 per annum to Scottish Policy on Architecture run by The Lighthouse Glasgow over the three-year period 2001-04.

Lighthouse Glasgow photos © Adrian Welch

The results of a public consultation on the Executive’s proposals for a policy on architecture were published in November last year. The Executive will make further announcements in connection with the policy on architecture during the year.

The Lighthouse was opened in 1999 as part of Glasgow’s year as the UK’s City of Architecture and Design. It has the objective of celebrating, promoting and developing architecture and the creative industries in Scotland.

The Lighthouse Glasgow – Virtual Architecture Centre PR: 17 Apr 2001

image : David Churchill

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