Glasgow architecture news 2017, New Strathclyde buildings, Architects, Design images Scotland

Glasgow Building News

Scottish Architectural + Construction Updates – West of Scotland Property

2017

Glasgow Building News for 2017

RIAS News

The Garment Factory
The Garment Factory in Glasgow
photo : Warren Media
20 Dec 2017 – The Garment Factory, a unique and contemporary office development in Glasgow’s city centre, has achieved practical completion following an extensive refurbishment project undertaken by Castleforge Partners:
The Garment Factory Building

Scottish Government working group is latest stage in SELECT campaign for official recognition
19 Dec – An influential working group has been established in the Scottish Government to look into “Protection of Title” for professional electricians.

The campaign by SELECT, the trade body for the electrotechnical trade in Scotland, asks the Scottish Government to accept and legislate for the fact that electricians undergo an intensive training akin to that required for other professional qualifications and to agree that their skills should be protected.

Colin Beattie, the SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, who has reiterated his support for the registration of electricians, pressed the Government last month (November) about the membership of the group and its remit.

Citizens Theatre Renovation HLF Grant
18 Dec – Grant of £4.8 m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for transformational renovation and expansion of Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre by Bennetts Associates, architects: refurbishing the historic auditorium whilst sweeping away later piecemeal additions to allow a wraparound new build structure.
Citizens Theatre Renovation

RIAS Announcement and Update
16 Dec – At their meeting last week, RIAS Council discussed the findings of the review of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland governance, the vacancy resulting from the Secretary and Treasurer’s departure last month, the election of the President and the next steps toward establishing a new RIAS Strategy (2018-23).

As a matter of priority for the Incorporation, RIAS Council has agreed to advertise for a new Chief Executive and has appointed Karen Stevenson, current Director of Policy and Development, in an acting role. Neil Baxter is working his notice period and has agreed the terms of his departure at the end of January. He no longer has any involvement in the day to day running of the Incorporation.

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland News

VELUX announce The VELUX Roof Window Award
16 Dec – VELUX announce the VELUX Roof Window Award, their newest design award competition, in collaboration with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The passion VELUX has for daylight, fresh air and better living environments has led them to consider the innovative vision of designers in Scotland. The VELUX Roof Window Award is an exciting competition that wishes to seek out and reward inventive and modern designs that use any VELUX roof window products.

The competition will be divided into two categories: built and unbuilt. The built category seeks to celebrate the design, aesthetics and detailing of any completed project that includes a VELUX roof window, whilst the unbuilt category will consider any project that is in the design stage or is under construction. The unbuilt category has the objective of recognising progressive designs of the future that will innovate and drive the industry forward.

Winning designs will receive £1,500 in prize money and a VELUX curved glass rooflight to use in their next project.

Since 1941 VELUX has been a transformative force in the design world. In the years since, the evolution of their product range has afforded specifiers versatility, efficiency and aesthetic confidence for construction projects around the world.

This year VELUX launched their revolutionary curved glass rooflight. The curved glass-to-edge surface is built to allow more daylight into a space, and will provide specifiers and designers the freedom of creativity to create the space that they envisage.

VELUX has a reputation for providing quality products, and this has enabled designers to craft spaces that push the boundaries of design and aid pioneering construction concepts. And it is this commitment to supporting the design and construction industry that has been the driving force behind the VELUX Roof Window Award.

Coinciding with the launch of the world’s first curved glass rooflight, VELUX and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland are incredibly proud to use the VELUX Roof Window Award as a platform to celebrate the work done by architects, designers and specifiers within the construction community.

Jenni Shanks of RIAS Consultancy said “The VELUX Roof Window Award is a great opportunity for designers to be recognised for their innovative work. It also provides a platform for designers to put their work in the public domain and in turn raise their profile. The RIAS commends VELUX for wanting to encourage and recognise innovative ideas in the use of their products.”

For more information on the VELUX Roof Window Award and the opportunity to enter, please follow this link: http://designcompetition.velux.co.uk/

Bellgrove Meat Market masterplan
15 Dec – Glasgow City Council has staged an exhibition outlining their indicative masterplan for the B-listed former Bellgrove Meat Market, ahead of a formal planning application early next year, reports Urban Realm.

Dumfries & Galloway Hospital Opens Its Doors
Dumfries & Galloway Hospital Building
image courtesy of Bennett Architectural
13 Dec – The new £212m Dumfries and Galloway Hospital opens. The 344-bed new build facility was built using the off-site construction method DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly).
Dumfries & Galloway Hospital Building

Scottish War Blinded Hawkhead, Paisley Healthcare
11 Dec – £17 m project: 100 military veterans have already signed up to use the facility, along with residents of the nearby Royal Blind facility, Jenny’s Well.
Scottish War Blinded Hawkhead by Page \ Park Architects

GIA Building Visit : Ruins Studio
6 Dec – Would you like to visit GIA Supreme Awards Winning ‘Ruins Studio’, in Hazelwood?
You still can as there are a few spaces left for the visit on the 8th December 2017, please advise before noon Thursday 7 December.
The GIA hope to car share and leave Glasgow c.14:00. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. The house is accessed via a track so a 4×4 will meet you at the bottom of the track. Ruins Studio is a small house so visit is restricted to 8 visitors.
If you are interested, please email [email protected]
With your response, please provide your name, the name of any colleague that would like to join you and advise if you can provide transport. Bookings will be confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

Fri 8th December 2017, 15:30 – 17:00 @ Ruins Studio, Hazelwood, off Coldside Road, Dumfries and Galloway
photo Above by Sergio Pirrone: Supreme Award Winner 2017- Ruins Studio, Hazelwood – Lily Jencks Studio working with Nathanial Dorent and Savills

Scottish Planning Bill
5 Dec – Sarah Baillie, Planning Partner at international law firm, Addleshaw Goddard, shares her views on the introduction of the Planning Bill into the Scottish Parliament today.
Read in full on the Edinburgh Architecture website news page.

Major Glenrothes Regeneration News
5 Dec – Advance Construction has submitted plans for a major regeneration project, which will transform the historic Tullis Russell Paper Mill site in Fife.

The Bellshill-based company, who specialise in large-scale groundworks and civil engineering, is proposing circa 850 much-needed homes as well as retail and leisure facilities, employment, business space, industrial units and a new care home.

Article in full at Scottish Architectural News for 2017

Transforming Scottish Planning
5 Dec – Legislation to encourage development and improve community engagement.
New legislation to simplify and improve the planning system has been set out by Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart.
Mr Stewart described how the Planning (Scotland) Bill, will create a new structure for a more proactive and enabling system with clearer development plans, earlier engagement with communities, streamlined procedures and smarter resourcing.
The Bill builds on recommendations of an independent review carried out by a panel of experts last year.
Mr Stewart said:
“Scotland’s economy needs a world-class planning system. Our planning system must take a strong and confident lead in securing the development of great places that will stand the test of time and this Bill will encourage more people to play an active role in shaping these.
“In addition to restructuring and simplifying the system to provide greater certainty for investors and communities alike it will reflect the importance of development and infrastructure to achieve our ambitions for housing, schools and regeneration – creating jobs and generating economic growth.
“Performance improvement will be formalised so applicants can rely on receiving a consistent service and local authorities will have greater powers to charge for their services. In short, this Bill will reduce bureaucracy so that planners are better equipped to lead high-quality developments that support the economy and enhance our communities.”
Chair of the Scottish Alliance of People and Places, Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish, said:
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s ambition to create a more innovative and inclusive planning system that puts people at the heart of decisions about their local communities. Planning the places in which we live and work is fundamental to our social and economic wellbeing, and it is vital we reach out to communities and empower them to actively participate in the decisions that affect their lives.
“This Bill represents a real opportunity to be bold and ambitious, and present a positive, forward looking vision for our planning system, rather than simply making technical changes to policy.”

New Student Work at Dundee School of Architecture
4 Dec – e-architect follow architectural student Sean Noon through his latest designs:
Dundee School of Architecture Student Work

Glaswegian Architectural Updates for November

Edinburgh Futures Institute
29 Nov – Edinburgh’s former Royal Infirmary Surgical Hospital, a category-A listed building at the heart of the Quartermile development, has received detailed planning permission to become a major new facility for the University of Edinburgh. The design is by Bennetts Associates:
Edinburgh Futures Institute Building

Glasgow’s Britannia Panopticon & West Boathouse Visit
SPAB Scotland is organising a visit of the spectacular Britannia Panopticon Music Hall and the ‘cute’ West Boathouse, before heading to Glasgow’s Christmas Market.
2 Dec – see our events page for more details

Builders vow to ensure Scots not left behind following Budget for housing
24 + 22 Nov – With the Chancellor today announcing a raft of measures aimed at significantly increasing levels of home building and “reviving the British dream of home ownership”, Scotland’s home building industry vowed to continue to hold the Scottish Government to account to ensure those living north of the border were not left behind.
Scottish Architectural News for 2017

Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr
22 Nov – Plans to build a new Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr are a step closer with the official contracts now signed after reaching financial close.

Neil Baxter Steps Down at the RIAS
17 Nov – The Royal Incorporation has agreed to the request from the Secretary, Neil Baxter Hon FRIAS Hon FRIBA, to leave the organisation after ten years of service.

Neil will be standing down as of today and the senior management team at the RIAS will continue to deal with all matters relating to the business of the Incorporation.

18 Nov – opinion added by Scottish architect Alan Dunlop.

RIAS Secretary News

Comments for publication welcome, send to info(at)glasgowarchitecture.co.uk

The New TenementResidences in the Inner City Since 1970 by Florian Urban
14 Nov – A publication on the new tenement by Florian Urban, Professor and Head of Architectural History and Urban Studies at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the GSA, has been issued by Routledge. The result of the research project which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust, the publication involved research in Glasgow, London, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Paris, Vienna and Berlin.
The New Tenement - Residences in the Inner City Since 1970
image courtesy of GSA
The New Tenement – Residences in the Inner City Since 1970 by Florian Urban

Greenock Custom House Official Opening
14 Nov – Official Opening of Greenock’s 200 year old Custom House marks also the 10 year anniversary of Riverside Inverclyde’s successful regeneration efforts.

Riverside Inverclyde, the organisation charged with the economic regeneration of Inverclyde, celebrated not only the completion of the refurbishment of Greenock’s Custom House, but also its 10 year anniversary at a ceremony held at the lovingly restored, 200-year old Georgian Custom House on Friday November 3.

Park Quadrant Development
14 Nov – Expresso Property, in conjunction with its development partner, Ambassador Developments (Park Quadrant) Ltd., has announced that on-site works are now underway at Park Quadrant, a 98 apartment luxury development in Glasgow’s West End.

Designed by architects Holmes Miller, Park Quadrant will complete the vision of the architect Charles Wilson’s concentric ringed design of a 19th century masterplan of the area. Building will complete in 2020 and will support up to 500 construction jobs in the City.

Nick Robinson of Expresso Property, said: “In conjunction with our development partners, we are pleased to announce that on-site works have now commenced for the highly sought-after Park Quadrant Residences. Being on site with construction underway underlines our commitment and confidence to deliver the development that will complete “the missing piece” of Charles Wilson’s original Park Area masterplan.”

Stephen Hampshire, of Expresso Property, added: “We are delighted to announce today that the Park Quadrant development will support up to 500 construction jobs during the construction phase and will have a total end investment value of £53m.

“Expresso is funded to purchase schemes from £1m to £50m and we are actively looking to acquire further commercial, office, residential and retail development propositions. These may be currently on the market or direct approaches from company principals wishing to explore their thoughts and ideas.”

The York-based company is investing in three major Scottish projects, at Park Quadrant in Glasgow’s West End, one of the best residential development sites in the West of Scotland; Perth’s new leisure hub, Mill Quarter, and a new mixed-use site at Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.
Image shows: Expresso Property, in conjunction with its development partner Ambassador Developments (Park Quadrant) Ltd., has announced that on-site works are now underway at Park Quadrant, a 98 apartment luxury development in Glasgow’s West End. Designed by architects Holmes Miller, Park Quadrant will complete the vision of the architect Charles Wilson’s concentric ringed design of a 19th century masterplan of the area. Building will complete in 2020 and will support up to 500 construction jobs in the City.

For more information on developments by Expresso Property, please visit www.expressoproperty.co.uk

Expresso Property is a UK-based real estate company of creative property developers and consultants, bringing together over 70 years of experience in residential, retail, leisure, office and urban regeneration developments. Expresso specialises in the successful delivery of property investment and development services. The skill set of our team enables us to craft schemes that deliver high-value bespoke results for our property portfolio and investors. Our activities are undertaken across the UK, with a pipeline of current projects of more than £100m, spanning all sectors.

A New Chapter – Scottish Architects
10 Nov – Open letter, from A New Chapter to President Stewart Henderson of the RIAS

“A New Chapter is a loose (and growing) association of over 150 Scottish architects: many RIAS members, but all concerned at what they see as a lack of effectiveness, poor governance and insufficient financial accountability in Scottish architecture’s professional body.”

RIAS Controversy

Major United Nations accolade for The Glasgow School of Art
Elena Szolgayová, Gulnara Roll, Secretary to CHLM, UNECE and Professor Brian Evans
photos courtesy of GSA
Glasgow Urban Lab at GSA
8 Nov – Glasgow Urban Lab designated United Nations Charter Centre of Excellence

The GSA will now collaborate internationally on activities to promote UN policies for sustainable Housing and Urban Development in the 21st century

The GSA’s innovation skills and research capability will be a great asset to the UNECE network going forward.

English Project by Glasgow’s Keppie Design
8 Nov – Keppie Design unveil visionary proposals for a Learning Campus at Thamesmead for the London Borough of Bexley, Peabody and London South East Colleges:
The Place & Making Institute

GIA Design Awards 2017 Dinner
10 Nov 6.30pm at Òran Mór, Byres Road
One of the main highlights of the annual GIA programme: the Supreme Award winner, Awards winners and Commendations will be announced at the GIA Annual Members Dinner.

Dalbeattie Learning Campus Building
1 Nov – A £24 million state-of-the-art learning campus in Dalbeattie has been officially handed over to Dumfries and Galloway Council

The Dalbeattie Learning Campus will replace the town’s primary and secondary schools and council nursery schools, which have operated in a number of buildings on separate sites.

Chairman of the council’s children, young people and lifelong learning committee Councillor Jeff Leaver said: “Dalbeattie Learning Campus will deliver first class facilities and transform education in Dalbeattie, delivering learning facilities appropriate for the 21st century.”

He added: “We were all very impressed by the new campus. The whole building is so spacious, bright and welcoming and a huge amount of thought, including a very large input from the pupils who will soon be moving into their new school, has gone into the design of all aspects of the building.

“The setting is spectacular and the sports facilities and opportunities for outdoor learning are absolutely first class.

“I’m very envious of the young people and the staff who will be moving into this amazing facility later this week.”

Work started on site in March 2016, with an 18 month build programme and the building is now ready on schedule.

The old High School building, next to the new campus, will soon be demolished and the site landscaped before being incorporated into the campus site.

The new campus will open its doors to pupils next week who will be excited to be stepping into their new school for the first time.

Craig Bridges, regional development director at GRAHAM Construction, said: “Dalbeattie Learning Campus is a first-class educational facility which will bring long-lasting benefits to the local community.

“A significant construction project, our team have delivered a state-of-the-art learning space, while also creating many different jobs and apprenticeships in the process.

“We’re extremely pleased to handover the building to Dumfries and Galloway Council and look forward to continuing to work closely with them in the future.”

Glaswegian Architectural Updates for October

Greenock Custom House
26 Oct – Following a period of negotiation between landlord Riverside Inverclyde (ri) and PG Paper Company Ltd, a leading global exporter of paper, a two year extension of the company’s existing lease at Greenock’s Custom House has been agreed.

PG Paper Company currently leases 3,896 sqft at the Georgian architectural masterpiece, and has been a tenant of ri’s since phase three of the restoration of the building was completed in September 2015.

Restoration of the Custom House has taken place in four phases over four years. To date £4.1 million has been spent on transforming 18,000 sqft of productive business space.

Custom House Greenock Building

Atlantic Quay 3 Development
Atlantic Quay 3 Glasgow development
photo © Damian Shields
25 Oct – Atlantic Quay 3 on completion of a multi-million pound refurbishment. Now fully let the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service the scheme’s first new tenant will fully occupy 79,500 sq. ft. of ‘Grade A’ open plan flexible office space over its ground and six upper floors:
Atlantic Quay 3 Development

Dance Number – large-scale artwork by Louise Hopkins
Mackintosh Building Artwork by Louise Hopkins 'Dance Number'
photograph © Alan Dimmick
25 Oct – A new artwork by the leading artist Louise Hopkins has been unveiled on the central wall in front of the Mackintosh Building. A 2.5m high and 12.2m long digital print on metal, Dance Number, was specially commissioned by the GSA and is the artist’s largest work to date.
Glasgow School of Art Artwork by Louise Hopkins

Glasgow Building Designs

Contemporary Glasgow Property Designs – recent Strathclyde architectural selection below:

Glasgow Architecture News from end of January 2017 to July 2017 – news archive

Glasgow Architecture News 2016 – end of January 2017 – news archive

Scottish Architecture News

Glasgow Architecture News 2015 – news archive

Comments for the Glasgow Architectural News for 2016 page welcome

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