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EDINBURGH ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION AWARDS 2008

The Edinburgh Architectural Association Awards 2008 were presented at a gala dinner at the Balmoral Hotel on 14th March 2008 attended by more than 200 architects, sponsors and guests. Over 25 entries were submitted this year in three categories with 12 shortlisted projects being visited by the judging panel during February. The awards in each category were as follows: Small Projects Sponsored by Mapei Commendation: Scott House, Michael Laird Architects. Commendation: 36 Marionville Road, Craig Amy Architect. Winner: Coal Bunker, Crichton Wood Architects. Regeneration and Conservation Sponsored by Modular Lighting Instruments Commendation: Stewart’s Melville College performing Arts Centre, Simpson & Brown. Winner: Heart of Hawick, Gray Marshall Associates. Building of the Year Sponsored by Ora Ceramics Winner: Princess Gate, Malcolm Fraser Architects. See the Awards 2008 page for pictures and further details

STUNNING SALTCOATS SITE CHOSEN FOR DESIGN COMPETITION

A national competition has been launched to design a landmark housing development for a prime site in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire in a project which is the first of its kind in Scotland. The competition organised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, is being sponsored by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and local building company McLaughlin Construction. Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay said: “This site is simply stunning and lends itself to a landmark building. “We are delighted to be working with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland to offer this site for a design competition. “We are asking architects to produce designs for apartments which will meet very good design and build standards and which importantly, will be a high quality design which exploits the location and a suitable landmark for this prominent location. “We also expect high levels of environmental sustainability.” Dick Cannon, a well respected and award winning Glasgow architect is the competition’s independent assessor. The other jurors will include developer Paul McLaughlin, sustainability expert Lori McElroy and Arthur Watson, Development Manager with Irvine Bay URC. The competition seeks to generate designs which will maximise the site’s sea views to Arran and meet the need for two and three bedroom flats in the area. The development will meet the BREEAM Ecohomes Very Good standard. This standard seeks to minimise energy consumption and reduce waste in construction including using materials supplied from renewable sources, using pre-fabrication to reduce on-site waste, specifying materials with a high recycled or re-used content, sourcing materials that are accredited from sustainable sources and which minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing and sourcing materials locally to reduce transport emissions. In addition, the designs will seek to influence the way in which the occupiers of the houses conserve energy and minimise waste. William Wood of RIAS said: “This is the first design competition of its type where we have worked with a local regeneration company and construction company to produce a compelling landmark design for an apartment block. We expect there to be a high level of interest in this competition.” Paul McLaughlin, Director of McLaughlin Construction, the site owner said: “ We are keen to make sure that we maximise the potential of this site with a development which will not only be a great place to live but which also helps with the wider regeneration of Saltcoats and the surrounding area. The closing date for designs to be submitted is 7th December and it is expected that a shortlist will be interviewed before the winner is announced in mid-January. Further information on the competition is available to from the RIAS and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company www.irvinebayurc.co.uk For further information please contact: Dorothy Fenwick, Communications Manager, Irvine Bay URC: Tel: 01294 475487 Mobile: 07793 144763 Or Willie Wood, Director of Client Services, RIAS: Tel: 0131 229 7545

EAA Awards Winners 2007:

EDINBURGH ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION AWARDS 2007 The Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) Awards were presented the annual dinner on Friday. The gala event attended by over 200 architects, clients and sponsors was held at the Hub, Edinburgh. Invited guests included Douglas Reid, President of the RIAS. Attendees enjoyed a champagne reception, sponsored by InterFace Flor, followed by dinner, the awards and a ceilidh ball. The judging panel for this year’s awards included Ken Lochrie, President of the EAA, and Stuart Greig an award winning documentary film maker who won a BAFTA for the Holyrood Files, the story of the building of the new Scottish Parliament. A record number of entries were received for the awards across a broad spectrum of projects which made the judges’ deliberations more complex than usual.

Architecture + Design Scotland

A+DS to support Scotland’s 6 Pathfinder Urban Regeneration Companies. Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) has teamed up with the Scottish Executive Development Department to drive forward the design agenda with the six (6) Pathfinder Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs). The three year Framework Agreement will allow a dedicated programme of work under the People and Place Regeneration Policy Statement, thereby raising the level of ambition and design quality throughout the URC areas. Through A+DS’s Enabling Programme, dedicated, hands-on assistance to the URCs and their partners will be provided. Up to 200 days of assistance will be provided by a team of built environment experts from a variety of professions and fields. Assistance and guidance will be provided on: ▪ Strategic design decisions, including: policy preparation, engaging with development partners, and procuring supporting design services, and ▪ Project design decisions, including: client management of design processes, masterplanning and site development briefs, and the selection and management of design teams engaged in strategic or site specific projects. Raymond Young – Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland – said: “A+DS is committed to ensuring that regeneration activities seek to deliver high quality built environments that meet community aspirations and provide a lasting legacy for the achievement of broad scale environmental, economic and social objectives. We are delighted to work with the Development Department in supporting the URCs and their partners in delivering this important work. It will allow us to work collaboratively at various levels from the establishment of strategic direction through to site development decisions.” Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty said: “Good design is an essential part of building sustainable communities, creating good quality environments in which people want to live. This project is about using the best available expertise and skills through Architecture and Design Scotland to support our six urban regeneration companies by providing the advice and support that can help the Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) deliver design quality locally." Details of A+DS’s Enabling Panel are provided on A+DS’s website at www.ads.org.uk Pathfinder Urban Regeneration Companies The six (6) URCs are as follows: ▪ Irvine Bay ▪ Riverside Inverclyde ▪ Clyde Gateway ▪ Clydebank Rebuilt ▪ Raploch ▪ Craigmillar Media enquiries should be addressed to Jill Leckie, PA to the Chief Executive. E-mail pa@ads.org.uk Telephone 0131 556 6699.

Events
EAA and other events...
 

GLENN MURCUTT INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE MASTER CLASS

05 ­-19 JULY 2008 AUSTRALIA The eighth annual Glenn Murcutt International Architecture Master Class will be held in Australia, starting Saturday 5 July and finishing Saturday 19 July 2008. Glenn Murcutt will lead the Master Class which will again be located at, what has been called his ³Masterwork², the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre, ŒRiversdale¹, on the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River south of Sydney (completed 1999), followed by a week at the University of Sydney Faculty of Architecture. Glenn Murcutt (2002 Pritzker Prize Laureate, RAIA Gold Medallist 1997) personally tutors throughout the program and will be joined by his great friend seminal Australian architect and outstanding teacher Richard Leplastrier (2004 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award Finland, RAIA Gold Medallist 1999) and by Peter Stutchbury (RAIA National Architecture Awards, published in GA House, Abitare, Phaidon World Atlas, etc). Guest tutor will again be University of Queensland Professor Brit Andresen (first woman RAIA Gold Medallist 2002, Phaidon World Atlas, 10X10, etc). Master Class convener is Lindsay Johnston, former Dean of Architecture at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The Master Class is a studio based program undertaking a design project centred on the landscape at ŒRiversdale¹ addressing issues of cultural and environmental sustainability and culminating in a design presentation at the end of the second week. The program includes lectures, field trips and visits to houses by Glenn Murcutt and the other tutors. Applications are invited from qualified architects, academics, postgraduates and senior architecture students ­ only 32 places available. ³Staying in Riversdale at the Arthur Boyd Centre, woken by sunlight, showering while looking over the Shoalhaven River, weaving between the in and the out furthered an understanding of Murcutt¹s approach to architecture and the Australian landscape. Every few days there were pin-ups, which were less Œcritiques¹ more Œappraisals¹ that emphasised the potential of each project. Visits to some key houses around coastal New South Wales showed the skill of those teaching in reading a site, creating prospect, refuge and an emotional response to place. Finally, living and working with others from various parts of the globe offered an insight into different cultural approaches to the environment. This diversity of people has created a Master Class network around the world, ensuring that this approach to architecture does not remain only in Australia.² (Daniel Ryan, Ireland, 2007 Master Class) For detailed information, program, tutor portfolios and application form - http://www.ozetecture.org/ or email info@ozetecture.org

REVIEW OF THE MEETINGS OF THE CROSS PARTY GROUP ON ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2005-2007

11th May 2005 - “Is Our Affordable Housing High Quality Housing” The meeting brought together a cross section of housing expertise from all of the main participants, and a record turn-out of MSPs. The meeting was convened jointly with the Cross Party Group on Affordable Housing to examine whether the substantial guidance and legislation now in place was working and if not to discuss the reasons why. A number of presentations took place including Sandy Murray, Tenants First Housing Co-operative, with a case study of their Ballater housing, Karen Anderson, Anderson Bell Christie, on Design Quality, Alan McGuckin of the Kingdom Housing Association on Procurement, and Howard Liddell of Gaia on Sustainability. There was a spirited discussion on many aspects of housing including prefabrication, timber kits, research and development, land shortages, the need for energy ratings, influences of the housing and insurance industries and the valuation professions on design, lack of support from Communities Scotland of sustainable design, and the effects of buildings on health. The meeting agreed to develop a ten point plan for MSPs to inform them of the key issues in relation to high quality design of affordable housing and to guide any future legislation: • A statutory requirement for comprehensive master plans for areas of housing over 50 units • A holistic approach to design of neighbourhoods which enhances existing identity or creates new distinct places. • Use of existing Community Planning Partnership to ensure full engagement of local communities in the design of housing. • Move towards longer term (say three year), funding programme. • Funding based on programmes not specific projects. • Incentives/encouragement to develop modern methods of construction. • Amending the Building Regulations to include quite strict sustainability standards (eco-homes as minimum). • Demanding BREEAM follow up survey as a norm and stopping BREEAM from issuing anything other than a conditional standard at design stage. • No more policy documents – go straight to Implementation Plans with detailed indicators and performance standards which have to be met and measured. • Across the board policy of Building for 200 years and toxic labelling for buildings. 6th of October 2005 – Design for Children and Children as Designers This meeting was held jointly with the Cross Party Group on Children and Young People and followed on from the international “Create Space Conference” in Glasgow on the 9th of September 2005. In attendance were children from the Children’s Parliament as well as a wide representation from all of the interest groups involved with children and design. Howard Liddell focussed on children as designers and how children’s’ ideas were incorporated into the design for Acharacle Primary School. Children spoke of their involvement in the Eco-City project and stressed the importance of involving young people and listening to their views. Keith Thomson of the School Estate Branch of the Scottish Executive drew attention to their strategy, “Building Our Future: Scotland’s School Estate” and to SE’s role in the provision of guidance to Local Authorities in school procurement. Cerin Johnston of YouthLink Scotland spoke on the success of the Create Space conference. 15th December 2005 - AGM The AGM was held on 15th December 2005 and Robin Harper MSP confirmed his willingness to continue as Convenor, Eugene Mullan also agreed to continue as Secretary with Graham U’ren taking over as acting Treasurer on Sebastian Tombs retirement. The meeting was not quorate so any decisions had to be carried over to a later meeting. The lack of MSP attendance continues to be a difficulty with so much pressure on their time. A further AGM was convened on 30th March 2006 to ratify those decisions. Topics for future meetings were discussed with a wide variety of ideas coming forward for development within an overarching theme of “Quality of Architecture and the Built Environment”. 3rd May 2006 - “Waterfront Communities-European Lessons” The meeting featured presentations from Sara Thiam, Project Manager of Waterfront Communities Project” for the City of Edinburgh, and Councillor Gordon Munro, Chair of the project. The project is a learning network of nine North Sea cities, including Edinburgh, Gothenburg, Schiedam, Hamburg, Gateshead, Oslo, Aalburg, Hull and Odense. The five key findings from the project are that waterfront regeneration is most effectively carried out in the context of a city-region; integration of land use to and from the waterfront is critical; innovation is required withy strong and visionary leadership; that leadership needs to be complimented by partnership; and that partnership in turn nes to be complimented by broad based participation. A wide ranging discussion took place on the need for risk taking, retention of historic buildings, role of the community, the role of the state, building procurement methods, the importance of affordable housing, and sustainable design. 21st June 2006 - “Scotland’s Landscapes-Valuing the Past, Investing in the Future” The Group joined with the Scottish Garden History Society whose aims are to foster public understanding and enjoyment of Scotland’s designed landscapes and their history. Peter McGowan, landscape architect and urban designer, looked at the interaction between the natural and man made elements in our landscapes, Christopher Dingwall, landscape and garden historian, focussed on the contribution made by historic gardens and the public benefits and Ben Lyte, Gardens Assistant with the National Trust for Scotland, spoke on a case study concerning Newhailes House. The consultation on the impending “Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3 featured strongly in the debate which followed and its perceived shortcomings. The major omission was the compilation and maintenance of the Inventory of sites. The importance of the European Landscape Convention was highlighted and the fact it was not referred to in SHEP 3. Concerns at the levels of investment required to conserve and improve historic and designed landscapes and the implications of ‘right to roam’ legislation. Robin Harper MSP at the end of the meeting offered to raise a parliamentary question on the crucial issues raised and requested that proposals in that respect be submitted to him. A letter suggesting five questions was subsequently submitted to Robin Harper. 27th September 2006 - “Planning Reform in Scotland-Beyond the Planning Bill” The subject of the meeting was concern about the Planning etc (Scotland) Bill going through parliament at that time. Graham U’ren, Director of the RTPI in Scotland, gave a comprehensive review of the Reform Agenda from 1999 to the present. Allan Lundmark, Director of Planning and Communications at Homes for Scotland, considered attitudes in planning, the understanding of development and strategic master planning. Discussions covered the importance of sustainability, the opportunity for local communities to influence planning decisions and the importance of proactive long term planning by local authorities. The AGM was held on 6th December 2006 and was followed by a joint meeting with the Cross Party Group on Construction chaired by Fergus Ewing MSP. John McClelland CBE, who had recently undertaken a “Review of Public Sector Procurement in Scotland”, made a presentation on aspects of public procurement indicating deficiencies in consistency across the sector. Rod Pettigrew, Vice Chair of the Construction Group and Head of the Commercial and Legal Department of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association, emphasised the need for standardisation of terms and conditions. Tom Bostock, Director of Reich and Hall, responded on behalf of consultants to the issues raised, particularly compliance with the Official Journal of the European Union procedures. In discussion there was general support for John McClelland’s proposals and he has been asked by government to chair a new Public Reform Board to take the work forward. 26th September 2007 - “2014 Commonwealth Games-Glasgow’s Bid-Regeneration Opportunities from International Sporting Events” Glasgow’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games with the theme sports and regeneration was the focus of the meeting. Ian McKenzie, Head of Facilities Development at sportscotland, and Depute Director of the IUA Works Group on Sport gave a presentation based on the Glasgow 2014 principles of People, Place and Passion. He covered use of temporary facilities, security, future uses of facilities and sustainable design elements. Tom Russell, Chief Executive of the New East Manchester Urban Regeneration Company, highlighted the impact of the Manchester 2002 Games on east Manchester and its legacy. Members of the public are welcome at any Cross Party Group’s meetings, subject only to those wishing to attend meeting the security requirement at the Scottish Parliament. That entails advance notice being given of the intention to attend. EAA members are specifically invited to attend to put forward their points of view on the topics brought forward. It is not necessary to join the Group but by doing so will ensure advance notice of meetings and receipt of copies of agendas and minutes. To join the Cross Party Group or for information on meetings contact the Secretary: Eugene Mullan Smith Scott Mullan Associates 378 Leith Walk Edinburgh EH7 4PF Tel: 0131 555 1414 E-mail: mail@smith-scott-mullan.co.uk If copies of the minutes of any of the meetings interest EAA members those can be obtained by contacting Isabelle Lomholt at the EAA, 0131 229 7545. Jack Hugh 15 November 2007

The Architects Benevolent Society

Many thanks to those who contributed to the raffle held at our Annual Ball in The Balmoral Hotel on 14 March 2008 in aid of the Architects Benevolent Society. With their help we managed to raise just over £1,812. This is £212 more than last year. We hope those of you who won prizes enjoyed them, and we thank those of you who kindly donated prizes.