Scottish Sustainable Architecture, Lighthouse, Rotterdam Biennale

The Lighthouse : Sustainable Architecture

Sust, Scotland – Eco Buildings Strathclyde: Built Environment

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The Lighthouse Sust

The Re:Motion exhibition, a feature of the programme and launched 17 Jul 2003, is at Loch Lomond Shores until Oct 2003 when it will be moved on to another city.

re:motion

Sustainable Architecture Campaign by The Lighthouse, Glasgow – Sust
RE:MOTION – A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
FROM THE BANKS OF LOCH LOMOND

“Sustainability” was the hot topic of the day as dignitaries and invited guests from The Lighthouse: Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City, from the Scottish Executive, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, and Loch Lomond Shores today, (17 Jul 2003) jointly launched Re:Motion: New Movements in Scottish Architecture, at Loch Lomond Shores on the banks of the world-famous loch. This visionary exhibition, commissioned by The Lighthouse from eight leading Scottish architects and architectural firms, will now begin a Scottish tour following its recent hugely successful unveiling at the International Architectural Biennale in Rotterdam. Re:Motion will be open to the public at Loch Lomond Shores Retail Crescent, Balloch, daily from 17, 18 July until 31 October 2003.

Eight futuristic, 6-ft highplywood-framed, , tent-like pods make up the exhibition, each with strong graphic images stretched over their wooden framescontaining a striking mix of interactive media, projected images, models and text. Re:Motion will play a key role in The Lighthouse’s ongoing sustainability project, “Sust.”, which explores the themes of mobility and transport and offers inspired solutions for providing more efficient transport systems in the future which minimise consumption of natural resources.

Dr Stuart MacDonald, Director of The Lighthouse, said:
“We are delighted to launch Re:Motion to the people of Scotland, and to share with them the innovative thinking of some of our top designers. The eight architectural practices taking part were given a brief to come up with alternative transport and mobility systems for the future, always keeping sustainability of natural resources to the fore. They have responded magnificently, delivering workable solutions and concepts which challenge our current thinking while also preserving precious natural resources.

“As Scotland’s national centre for Architecture, Design and the City, The Lighthouse, is the natural choice to deliver this forward-thinking project on behalf of the Scottish Executive. “Sust” will continue to promote best practice and nurture innovation to shape practical solutions which will make a difference to our future built environment.”

Gillie Thomson, Convenor of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, added:
“I am very pleased that the National Park Authority has been able to support Re:Motion’s first showing in Scotland. I am especially pleased to see that it explores new ways of looking at development since sustainability is at the heart of the National Park’s aims.

“The Park Authority itself is committed to sustainable design in developing its own buildings, one excellent example being the Gateway Centre by Bennetts Associates here at Loch Lomond Shores, recently awarded a Civic Trust Award for outstanding building design*. Another is at the Ben Lomond Memorial Park at Rowardennan which used traditional building methods in its construction. We are also at the planning stages of our permanent headquarters which will be built with good contemporary and sustainable design in mind.”

Kevin Johnson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond Shores, commented:
“I am delighted that Re:Motion will have its Scottish debut at Loch Lomond Shores. As well as providing a stunning setting, the location is an ideal example of the joining of sustainable design and architecture and what great results can be achieved, especially in an area of such natural beauty and environmental sensitivity. Almost a million people to-date have enjoyed the unique view of Loch Lomond that has been created as a result of this project.

“The award-winning designs of the Drumkinnon Tower and the National Park Gateway Centre have attracted widespread praise and commendation from the world of architecture and beyond. It is fitting that both architectural practices involved in the creation of the buildings, Page and Park and Bennetts Associates, are also involved in the creation of Re:Motion.”

THE ARCHITECTS BRIEF

Bennetts Associates: examine the environmental cost of transport systems especially regarding co2 emissions.

Dualchas: examine reinstating ancient transport and communications routes in the Isle of Skye – a necessary consideration for the sustainability of rural communities.

Gareth Hoskins: propose eliminating congestion by relocating suburban dwellings to a new ‘Rivercity’ located in the River Clyde, a ‘bluefield site’.

GrossMax: re-examine Cumbernauld – a widely considered architectural and planning failure, although iconic of its time as the first new town to be designed for the car. New approaches could regenerate this ‘shrine to the car’.

Homes for the Future Mckeown Alexander: consider mobility within the home based on changing working and living patterns. They also explore the importance of a view of the landscape.

NORD architects: to consider the upkeep of rural transport & communications links. The alternative is to see the demise of rural communities like St Kilda. A key element of this exhibit is the St Kilda ‘Mailboat’.

PagePark Architects and Miles Glendinning: examine the evolution of the city of Glasgow with changing emphasis on importance on transport systems in shaping our cities.

Sutherland Hussey Architects: propose futuristic – but realistic – forms of transport that are more sustainable and that require less infrastructure than traditional means of travel, eg airships and seaplanes. Using the city of Edinburgh as an example of the ‘future’.

Sustainable Architecture Campaign by Lighthouse – Sust PR
17 Jul 2003