Sep 2008
SITE START FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING PROJECT
A new project to bring sustainable, affordable housing to Glenmore has
started on site in Cairngorms National Park.
Two timber houses, designed by John Gilbert Architects for Albyn Housing
Society Ltd, will provide new homes and employment for local people. The
project, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, is a pilot scheme
to maximise the use of Scottish timber and sustainable materials for social
housing.
Albyn Housing Society programme co-ordinator Helen Cameron said “We
are delighted that this project is underway. The site, the former campsite
shower block, was sold to Albyn Housing Society by the Forestry Commission
under the Forest Land Scheme – an initiative which enables forestry
land to be released for affordable housing. The project will deliver two
sensitively-designed homes which will be economical to heat and run, which
is so critical given current energy costs.”
Most of the building materials are environmentally friendly and from British
sources,
while the house design incorporates ecological features such as high-level
insulation, multi-fuel stove heating for main rooms, rainwater harvesting.
In addition, the windows are positioned to make the best use of natural
sunlight and the view of surrounding woodland area.
Project architect Matt Bridgestock from John Gilbert Architects said:
“The main aim is to build functional and robust social housing, with
the maximum use of Scottish timber and minimising the amount of energy
and carbon emissions throughout the build and occupation.
“Developing markets and products for Scottish timber has a much wider
social and economic agenda, providing investment and regeneration across
the Highlands of Scotland.”
The timber structure is built to be in keeping with the architecture of
Glenmore, as seen on the adjacent campsite and visitors’ centre.
These houses are specifically designed to the context of the location
and have high aspirations to be a benchmark for design and sustainability
in the Cairngorms National Park.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) approved the project based
on the quality and strong sustainability goals of the development. CNPA
planning officer Neil Stewart said: “The proposal is for much-needed,
affordable housing in a relatively accessible location and with a sympathetic
approach to what is a difficult site. This is an exemplar project that
sets a desirable precedent for similar affordable housing developments.”
New, native trees will be mixed with the existing mature trees to create
a cohesive canopy around the clearing, thus maintaining the forest setting.
Bob McIntosh, Director of Forestry Commission Scotland, said: "The
project with the Albyn Housing Society is a great example of how the National
Forest Estate, through the National Forest Land Scheme, can help to improve
the quality of life and wellbeing of people across Scotland.
"The project is doubly important because as well as providing local
people with affordable and efficient housing it will also highlight the
important contribution Scotland’s home-grown timber can make towards
sustainable construction."
Glenmore Housing Development iages / text from John Gilbert Architects Sep 2008
John Gilbert Architects have also recently received the following commissions:
BUPA Carehomes
We have recently been appointed as BUPA Care Homes sole architects in
Scotland and will work on their newbuild and refurbishment projects across
Scotland. This appointment was made based on our track record of delivering
a range of health and residential care buildings, working with end users
to design healthy buildings with healthy specifications (low allergen/
low VOC/ low toxin materials). Our first project with BUPA will be a new
26 bed project in Renfrewshire.
Clyde Gateway Design Statement
We have recently been appointed by the Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration
Company to produce a design statement for the Clyde Gateway area. We have
recently held a workshop for the public and professionals involved in
this area to outline their main aspirations for the area and are planning
to hold further community consultations in the near future to gain local
aspirations for the area.
Scottish Architects
Scottish Architecture
Cairngorms Development
Scottish
Parliament
World Architecture : e-architect
- a guide to key buildings across the globe
Museum
of Scotland
Highlands Buildings
Comments / photos for the Glenmore Housing page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk
Cairngorms housing : page
- adrian welch / isabelle lomholt