This week is World Autism Acceptance Week, and its my first one as an officially diagnosed, fully ‘out’ autistic. I’m sharing a piece that I wrote years ago for the Autumn 2020 issue of the RIAS Quarterly on ‘Activism in Architecture,’ when I chose to write on neurodiversity in architectural education – an issue close to my own anxious, depressed, quietly-autistic-but-not-quite-certain-yet, heart. It was a time of flux, chaos and uncertainty, but I was hopeful. It felt like an opportunity to force a rethink of long-established, somewhat unchallenged approaches to teaching architecture; suddenly we understood that students could schedule their tutorial slots for specific times, work from home, even prioritise things like sleep and leisure time, and the world would not collapse in on itself. It wasn’t a logistical nightmare to accommodate people like me after all.

I understood myself to be autistic at the time of writing, but thought it unimportant to go to the trouble of seeking an official diagnosis to allow myself to share this information comfortably in a public forum. Instead, I wrote in this vague and suggestive voice, where I shared my own complaints as an autistic student, but using a kind of ‘asking for a friend’ language to distance myself from that struggle. I could be a vocal ally, but could never undertake the great burden of having to justify myself as a self-diagnosed autistic woman who masked tirelessly and convincingly every day. It was breaking my heart to be doing this so often, I eventually realised. Last year I sought and obtained my ASD diagnosis and immediately told everyone I possibly could, which was a kind of joyful exorcism. Once again, the world did not implode.

I want to reach out to architecture students who read this and feel that any or all of it resonates with them to say: you are not alone. You also do not need to go through the often long and arduous process of seeking a diagnosis - for anything at all - in order to speak on the things that make you uncomfortable or unhappy, or to feel like your concerns are valid. Next time you feel like something isn’t quite working in your studio, share your thoughts with your peers and tutors and start a dialogue about the practice in question; it could be that you are one of many students who feel similarly, and are simply the first to speak up. The ability to see the world in a different way and to challenge the status quo by doing so is, after all, an autistic superpower.

Collective Architecture attended the formal opening of the Ellengowan regeneration in Dundee, marking the completion of the first phase of the development.

A special event attended by 82 external stakeholders, tenants and staff, was held in Craigie Bowling Club, which sits Adjacent to Ellengowan, to mark the special occasion.

The regeneration, which is being carried out by Campion Homes on behalf of Hillcrest, is replacing 128 old terraced properties that no longer adhere to modern quality and energy efficiency standards, with high quality, modern, energy efficient homes.

The new development offers a range of homes, including apartments, terraced houses, cottage flats and townhouses. The completion of this first phase of the development marks the halfway point in the wider £22 million regeneration project.

Collective Architecture love this film produced by our client Hillcrest Homes for the opening ceremony. It brings into sharp focus our motivation for producing well designed and loved homes within our communties.

Design team | Morgan Associates, KLM Partnership, Hawthorne Boyle
Contractor | Campion Homes.

Following a comprehensive master planning process, Collective Architecture has now submitted The Ladyfield Masterplan and the associated technical studies to Dumfries and Galloway Council to consider the next steps.

The masterplan has emerged from a truly collaborative and engaging design development process over the last 9 months, and exemplifies the newly adopted Scottish Government National Planning Framework 4.

It takes a holistic and aspirational approach to placemaking and is designed to serve the wellbeing of the people that live in Dumfries now and in future. The masterplan sets out a vision for a place planned for people, addressing the climate emergency, social mobility, work, health and energy. We’re responding to the Scottish Government’s objectives to create nature-focused, sustainable communities through the recently adopted National Planning Framework 4.

Ladyfield will promote and encourage a liveable, sustainable neighbourhood, and a diversity of housing opportunities is critical to its success. Homes will be proposed that improve affordability and choice in the local area by being adaptable to changing and diverse needs and allow people to age in place. This will support and encourage mixed communities that grow together over time, creating an intergenerational community that shares knowledge, skills, and experience.

You can now view the full masterplan online at https://www.ladyfield.info/

This project was part-funded by The UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

A significant milestone has been achieved as planning officials have approved Wasps’ application to transform the A-listed Clydeside Halls, into a new market and event space.

The new development designed by Collective Architecture seeks to transform the rear halls, corner block and gapsite into a creative industries hub that reconnects the building with the River Clyde and secures this important historical landmark for the city.

Currently when viewed from Clyde Street, the Briggait is an unloved building with a semi-derelict air, giving no sense to passers-by of the wonderful soaring roof and bright airy spaces. The building – originally constructed between 1873 and 1914 – was used as the city’s fish market and viewed as one of Glasgow’s architectural icons. This redevelopment will address the ongoing issues with the existing building fabric and safeguard its iconic status as an important building for Glasgow and its people.

The design aims to create a vibrant and engaging frontage to the River Clyde, providing a flexible, sustainable creative hub to complement and grow the cultural community that has been resident in the developed parts of the Briggait complex since the completion of the first phase by Nicoll Russell Studios in 2009. Wasps currently supports a creative community at The Briggait, with around 150 people already based in the redeveloped part of the building, producing art, architecture, digital design and leading cultural organisations.

Audrey Carlin, Wasps CEO said

‘We are so excited to embark on this next chapter at The Briggait and breathe new life into the Category-A listed halls for Glasgow’s creative industries and the public to appreciate. We’re now one step closer to realising the building’s full potential in making space for even more creativity with the news of our plans for The Briggait being approved.’

Nicole Davidson, Project Architect said

‘It is a privilege to be working with Wasps and the design team on such an important building for the people of Glasgow and the city itself. Wasps’ vision to bring the currently undeveloped Clydeside halls back into use is an exciting opportunity to breathe life back into these incredible spaces. Through conservation focused fabric repairs and minor interventions, the proposals will both safeguard the existing building, provide flexible spaces to support the creative and cultural sectors and provide a vibrant frontage to the River Clyde.’

Delighted to share the news that Granton Waterfront Strategic Plan for The City of Edinburgh Council has won a Future Cities Forum awards, in the Master planning, regeneration & mixed-use category.

21 projects spread across 7 Future Cities Forum categories were assessed by the Awards Judging Panel of 9 distinguished judges from across the UK.

Deborah Williams, Head of Region - Midlands, Historic England: 'Edinburgh's Granton Waterfront has job creation, strong net zero ambitions, and a vision of delivering a heritage programme. The creating of place is very important. Identifiably it's a development from where it is, rather than just anywhere.'

Helen Taylor of Practice, Scott Brownrigg: 'The threads - in the master-plan document - on the fabric of space is very good. You can forget the other parts of Edinburgh (when you visit the city centre) so connecting Granton Waterfront is very important'.

A big well done to everyone involved | Studio for New Realities, AECOM UK LTD, Arup, LUC, David Adamson Group and Cushman & Wakefield

Jude Barber, Director, Collective Architecture said 'It is wonderful to hear that Granton Waterfront Strategic Plan has been recognised with this award. We thoroughly enjoyed developing this with The City of Edinburgh Council, partners, locals, Studio for New Realities and the wider design team. The ambitious masterplan/strategic framework sets the scene for the development of Granton as a vibrant and inclusive coastal neighbourhood, rooted in its place, with a bright and promising future.'

Full Details of the master plan, which sets our the transofrmational vision of Edinburgh as a unique coastal city - https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/d...

Today we are celebrating the appointed four new directors, helping shape the practice’s next chapter.

Mairi Laverty, Gerry Hogan, Ewan Imrie and Nicola Mclachlan, all of whom have been appointed from within the business, look forward to taking up their new roles within the practice’s new Directorate team from 1 November 2022.

Collective Architecture recently celebrated its 25^th anniversary and has been 100% employee-owned for 15 years. The practice marked this milestone by launching a new, self-owned and designed studio in Bath Street, Glasgow.

Chris Stewart, Gerry Duffy and Jude Barber have collectively led the studio for more than 15 years – building some of Scotland’s most highly acclaimed buildings. Together they have celebrated growing the studio from 12 to more than 40 people, establishing three studios across Scotland.

The opportunity for a shift in leadership comes as co-founders Chris Stewart and Gerry Duffy take new roles across the studio, remaining key and influential members of the team. Chris will be focusing on business development, mentoring and the sustainable design, whilst Gerry will focus on projects and driving technical advancements. Chris was recently appointed to a new and significant role in shaping the next steps for Scottish Architecture, as President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

Chris Stewart said: “After 25 years of growing and developing Collective, the business is in a strong position and at a point where I can hand over the reins to the new generation of Collective and focus on other elements of the practice as well as my new role within RIAS.

“Organisations evolve culturally over time, and all the new directors have grown and evolved with our business. They represent the next evolution of Collective and I’m delighted that they will now have the opportunity to lead and guide our studio.

“Whilst I remain at Collective, I will continue to focus on making a real difference to the industry at a time when support and mentoring has never been more important.

“The directorate, and the entire team at Collective Architecture, are dedicated creatives, delivering work that is both ground-breaking and thought-provoking. They will continue to set the bar high within our industry with their vision and design.”

Left to Right: Mairi Laverty, Jude Barber, Nicola McLachlan, Gerry Hogan and Ewan Imrie

Work has now started on site at Water Row in the heart of Govan, designed for Govan Housing Association, Central Govan Action Plan and Glasgow City Council.

Working to a brief for a masterplan to reinvigorate the area by creating 92 affordable homes - designed to Passivhaus standard - as well as 6 community-controlled commercial space and an improved public realm, Collective Architecture’s designs will transform a site that is currently used as an informal car park.

This transformation of Govan’s waterfront has been carefully considered to reflect the area’s unique heritage, identity and character, as well as its physical connection to the Clyde Waterfront and the requirements of the local community.

Extensive consultation with local stakeholders helped to evolve the masterplan, which comprises a blend of terraced homes, flats and townhouses as well as commercial space.

Contractor CCG started enabling work on site on 18th May 2021, with Water Row scheduled for completion in 2023.

Mairi Laverty said: “Water Row is an exciting proposition for a site with a long and fascinating history. It will bring Govan Cross back to life, as well as creating a waterfront landmark, and will become even more accessible and pivotal when the Partick to Govan bridge is opened.

“This has been a significant and thought-provoking project for us and we are delighted to see work starting on site to bring our plans and designs to life”.

We have launched our new studio on Bath Street, to coincide with 15 years of Employee Ownership and our 25th anniversary. 

Our new 6,738 sq ft / 625 sq m studio at Albert Chambers, represents an exciting opportunity for our team to grow, secure our future and expand our capabilities. 

The studio has been designed by our own in-house team and features a bespoke model making and display area, exhibition space, and large open plan catering kitchen. It also showcases a mural by internationally renowned Glasgow-based artist Toby Paterson, who worked with the project team to develop a colour palette, which is applied throughout the space.

Scottish Enterprise provided Collective Architecture with early-stage support, through the ‘Workspace Innovation’ fund. This funding supported the appointment of Graven, an internationally award-winning design practice, to engage the full studio in discussions on its new workplace, with workshops focusing on key themes including efficiency, connectivity, confidentiality, wellbeing and expression. Ideas from these workshops informed the brief for the design of the studio.

Ewan Imrie, Architect, who steered the project through to completion, said: “To have the opportunity to craft a new studio for the team you work with is both an exciting opportunity and great privilege.’

‘The design team was highly aware that the space had to work on a functional level, but also had to be a true reflection of our business, our ethos and our collaborative working practice. Our process was to distil the true nature and character of Collective Architecture and present this in a calm and welcoming space where our clients and team feel comfortable, motivated, and inspired’.

Jude Barber, Director said “Our move to a new studio in Glasgow City Centre is more than a physical change. Together, we’ve invested in our future, created space for growth and wider engagement between ourselves, client and collaborators. Our business has its roots in Glasgow, has weathered many storms and continues to adapt and evolve. Our team has done a wonderful job in capturing our shared heritage, vision and personality. So, this is also a moment of celebration. The new studio marks 25 years of delivering fascinating buildings, projects and places together - and now provides us the space and fresh energy to create many more.”

May 2022 is a special month for Collective Architecture, it marks 25 years since our practice's formation and 15 years of employee ownership

On Friday we welcomed colleagues and their close friends and family to our newly refurbished studio at Albert Chambers in Glasgow. It was lovely catch up with everyone for the first time since the pandemic, enjoying some fantastic cooking, refreshing drinks and energetic ping-pong!

We look forward to welcoming more people to our new studio in Glasgow very soon!

Profiling Scotland’s first Intergenerational and Passivhaus facility for The City of Edinburgh Council to celebrate intergenerational week.

This project takes an intergenerational approach to design, whilst striving to achieve the Passivhaus Standard. Full project details here.

Design Team: RSP, David Adamson Group, Armour Construction Consultants, Currie & Brown, David Narro Associates, Urban Pioneers, AECOM and Sandy Brown Associates.

#intergenerationalweek #passivhaus #passivehouse #intergenerationalarchitecture #integenerationaldesign #futureready #intergenerationallearning #integenerational #intergenerationalfairness #intergenerationalfairness
#intergenerationalequality #youngpeople #futuregenerations #generations

We are very pleased to introduce Sophie Irvine as our new Finance Manager at Collective Architecture. Sophie joined the practice at the beginning of March and will be overseeing all aspects of Finance.

Sophie has come to us after 11 years with BoConcept Scotland. As their Business Support Manager and a member of their senior management team, she was responsible for all aspects of the company’s finances, building and maintaining a secure financial footing which allowed the company to triple in size over a five year period.

Sophie’s technical background is balanced with her natural ability to communicate ideas and feedback effectively across all levels of business. She is a firm believer in treating others fairly and respectfully, and was praised by her previous employers for her ability to deal with both individual and sensitive business information in a calm and tactful manner. The combination of these skills has earned Sophie promotions within every job role during her career, so far, which is something Collective Architecture plans to nurture into the future.

Additional to Sophie’s fantastic grounding in Business Support, she has a passion for design and its power to transform society. Sophie was enticed to the role of Finance Manager at Collective Architecture, based on the care for design quality and sustainability, as well as the opportunity to be part of an employee-owned business. Sophie’s educational background includes a degree in Interior Design at the Glasgow School of Art, which provides a well-rounded view on all aspects required for our design-focused organisation.

We are enormously proud to have Sophie on board and we are very excited about our future working together!

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, has announced its 2022 intake of Fellows, with 80 names from the arts, business, public service, and civil society as well as academia from Scotland and beyond. They will be joining the RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows, who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today.

This year sees Jude Barber, Director of Collective Architecture receiving a Fellowship.

Jude Barber is a key founding member of Collective Architecture, and one of Scotland's leading architectural figures. She is a passionate champion for inclusive design and placemaking - and brings this to her work within Collective Architecture and beyond. Her influence in promoting these views within the architectural profession is evident everywhere, from her wider involvement within the industry as a RIAS Council Member and Fellow, to teaching and lecturing at various Schools of Architecture and Events across the UK and internationally.

The fellowship recognises Jude’s continual efforts to achieve positive benchmarks in design and equity, which have pushed at the boundaries of the Architecture profession. There is no formula to her success; it is the result of her hard work and determined, engaging personality. Her unique combination of design ability and social awareness linked with her constant effort to pursue all forms of equality is evident in projects she has instigated with co-creators such as; The Empire Cafe, exploring Scotland’s involvement in the Slave Trade, the on-going ‘Voices of Experience’ project that shines a spotlight on key female figures who have often been overlooked in society; and ‘The Better Days’ solo exhibition, which called on politicians to recapture post-war optimism and put quality architecture and the built environment back at the heart of Scottish life.

This year’s cohort represents the diversity of expertise within Scotland and the UK, with academics, leaders from business, Scotland’s tech sector, the legal sector and arts and culture industries being inducted to the Fellowship.

With a more diverse Fellowship, the RSE hopes to make even more of an impact across its policy, research and engagement work which seeks to address the key contemporary issues of the day.

Speaking about her Fellowship, Jude said “I am honoured to have been elected as a Fellow of the RSE, joining the company of such remarkable people. I’m also delighted to see other architects, designers and change makers being recognised including Dr Adele Patrick, Janice Kirkpatrick, Neil Gillespie and Daisy Narayanan. I look forward to working with the Society and Fellows across a range of sectors, to further establish Scotland as a global centre for ideas, action and excellence.’

Celebrations today for our newly qualified Architect, Jordan McCrae.

Well done Jo!

On the 15th December, the Saltire Society announced the winners of the 2021 Saltire Society Housing Design Awards. The Awards, which celebrate the diversity of the best in new housing in Scotland, are supported by the Scottish Government and recognise the contribution housing makes to social and cultural conversations.

The Saltire Medal for Housing Design, nominated by Ginnie Atkinson, Guest Chair for 2021, was awarded to Bell Street Stables, designed by our practice for our client, Wheatley Group and built by CCG Scotland. 

Bell Street Stables, was commended for its innate confidence to make its residents a real engine in its continuing transformation.

Andrew Cardwell, Project Architect said, 'Bell Street Stables was a great project to be involved in, with a visionary client and diligent and dedicated contractor and design team. A unique existing building has been brought back into life creating a sheltered, sustainable high quality inner city place which is already well loved'.

Official Award Cermony Film.

We are looking to recruiting a full time Finance Manager.

We would love to see applications from people who share our social, economic, cultural and environmentally sustainable aspirations and can actively contribute towards a collegiate and productive workplace.

Our team is aspirational, generous and enjoys sharing, learning, and evolving together.

Links for Full Job Description;

Finance Manager - https://documentcloud.adobe.co...

Join our team!

We are recruiting for a full time Project Architect (+ 6 years) and a Project Architect (parental leave - 1 year cover).

We would love to see applications from people who share our social, economic, cultural and environmentally sustainable aspirations and can actively contribute towards a collegiate and productive workplace.

Our team is aspirational, generous and enjoys sharing, learning, and evolving together. 

Links for Full Job Description;

Project Architect - https://lnkd.in/edDc2RWt
Project Architect (Parental Leave) - https://lnkd.in/e5fEWyGj

Collective Architecture is excited to be working on ambitious plans to breathe new life into one of the UK’s most rural communities – famed for its role in the birth of malt whisky. The Cabrach Distillery and Heritage Centre; is a project which will showcase the craft and alchemy of making Scotland’s national drink while telling the story of the historic region.

The Cabrach, a remote, upland area in the North East of Scotland, was a once thriving community of over 1,000 residents and a legendary haunt of rebellious Jacobites, illicit distillers and smugglers. However, the devastation wrought by the Great Wars began a spiral of depopulation and decline. Today fewer than 100 people call the Cabrach home.

Moves to regenerate the area as a sustainable community have been driven by The Cabrach Trust, who today confirmed it has secured the £3.5million needed to activate this eagerly anticipated project which will be delivered in harmony with the natural environment of the Cabrach.

Grant Gordon OBE, Founder and Chairman of The Cabrach Trust, said: “Our vision is to regenerate the Cabrach as a thriving, sustainable community. Having secured funding for this project represents a critical milestone for the Trust and we look forward to embarking on this exciting next chapter in the Cabrach’s story.”

A 19^th century steading at the Trust’s Inverharroch base will be restored to its former glory through a sympathetic restoration programme while sustainability will be at the heart of the transformation, incorporating an innovative renewable energy source.

Planning approval is now in place, enabling works on site are expected to get underway in February 2022, with the aim of being operational by Spring 2023.

Jonathan Christie, Chief Executive of The Cabrach Trust, commented: “With the build commencing early in the New Year, we look forward to sharing progress as our one-of-a-kind social enterprise unfolds, whilst launching several other exciting projects all poised to go live in 2022.

“We are humbled by the support provided by the Ethos Foundation, Bently Foundation and our other core funders. It is a privilege to work with and alongside such an array of incredible peer, community, and funding partners. The Cabrach Distillery and Heritage Centre is central to our regeneration plans and the long-term sustainability of this important community.”

Being shortlisted for two AJ Architecture Award was fantastic news however, finding out last night that both Meadowbank Masterplan and the Larick Centre won their respective categories at a UK wide award ceremony, was an outstanding result.  A true credit to the client, communities, and design teams involved in both projects.

Meadowbank, a £100 million green neighbourhood on a challenging brownfield site was praised by the jury for its ‘true placemaking’.  The judges were also impressed by the whole-team’s collaboration on the 596-home ‘low-car, low-carbon’ community, the way the scheme will knit into the existing urban fabric, and how public consultation and debate had properly and positively informed the proposals. They said: ‘At no point has the team been on automatic pilot. There has been a real clarity and depth of thinking.’

For the Larick Centre in Tayport, the judges were especially impressed by the ’thoughtfulness in how the brief was developed with the community, and how there was a clear and expressive unity between inside and out. Unlike some schemes in the category, the judges felt the architecture was a highly considered response to community and public need, both now and in future.

The Larick Centre was designed to be adaptable through moveable walls and flexible services, the new centre proved its versatility during the Covid pandemic by being used as a local NHS vaccination hub. Its sustainability credentials include the retention of a 4,000m² concrete ground slab from the former industrial shed, keeping 820 tonnes of concrete in situ. The building also employs a range of materials, such as screw-fixed metal corrugated panels, that can be easily disassembled and re-used, emphasising a prevailing ethos of long life, loose fit.

A big well done to everyone who has contributed to these projcts, we hope these awards highlight the enormous value well considered design will  bring to the future of both Meadowbank and Tayport communities.

Copeland Borough Council and the Millom Town Deal Board have announced that Collective Architecture’s Interdisciplinary design team has been shortlisted alongside 4 other teams, to the second and final stage of this exciting competition.

The competition was launched in September to find the right design team with whom a sympathetic yet stimulating intervention could be created within an area of extraordinary natural beauty, close to the Cumbrian Lake District. The judges were looking for an approach which sensitively developed the beautiful coastal Iron Line at Millom into a recreational attraction that unites ecology, heritage and culture.

Collective Architecture’s team approach is inspired by the words of local poet Norman Nicholson, celebrating the beautiful natural context of Millom, Cumbria. As an expert botanist, Nicholson asserted that nature might repair itself better than mankind could. Promoting the preservation of the post-industrial remnants of Millom, the salvation of mines, factories and pitheads, allows for future generations to appreciate the achievements and struggles of this former industrial area of England.

With this in mind, our proposals seek to promote preservation and appreciation, over intervention. The natural world and industrial legacies are an important focal point for the people of Millom, Cumbria, and for those visiting the area. Reflecting on the industrial past, the ambition will be to connect Millom and Haverigg to the wider area; bringing heritage, ecology and tourism together and benefitting the local economy in the process.

We are pleased to be leading the team through the next stage and look forward to developing our ideas further.

Last night Bell Street Stables won 'Best Restoration and Conversion' at the Herald Property Awards. 

A big congratulations to everyone involved in this project, including our client Wheatley Group and contractor, CCG Scotland.

As a kind gesture for allowing the Herald Property Studio team access to filming during the judging process, they kindly gift us this video montage of their visit.

News article 'We’ve never looked back since becoming owned by employees'

Scotsman, Business Section, 8th August 2021.

On Friday morning, several of our colleagues had a breakfast visit to Civic House, at Cowcaddens, Glasgow, designed by Emily Ong and Rupert Daly.

Client, Rob Morrison of TakTal,  gave the group a tour of the building, with it’s newly completed external elevations, which were looking incredibly crisp (credit to the contractor!)

Civic House is an old printworks, which date from the 1930’s have been retrofitted to near Passivhaus standard, with new insulated roof with photovoltaic array, super insulated external walls and new render works, new triple glazed Alclad windows throughout, and a building wide mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.

The building is a working example of how post industrial buildings can be repurposed and made to operate economically, in a world where existing buildings need to be considered as important as new buildings  The reuse and refurbishment of existing buildings ensures energy loss is minimised and whole life carbon is vastly reduced. 

We hope this building sets a new standard for post industrial retrofits, amid the escalating climate crisis.

We are pleased to learn today that Granton Waterfront for City Of Edinburgh Council, won a Pineapple Award.

The Pineapple Awards are the only UK award that celebrate the best in making place, where  people thrive, where people want to live, work, play, shop or learn. The Pineapples are unique in that shortlisted projects are presented to the judges in front of a live audience, showcasing urban development work  taking place in communities across the UK. You can watch the full Granton Waterfront presentation here.

The judges were struck by an incredibly ambitious project that takes a genuine and comprehensive approach to inclusion and social equity, from its considered approach to education and lifelong learning, to the way it gives surrounding communities free access to the sea. The project bring back into use something that is already there, a beautiful natural asset, that is also a climate resilient integrated solution. The judges described this project as powerful and environmentally and socially sustainable.

Jude Barber, Director at Collective Architecture said 'This project is testiment to so many people's hard work and ambition, most notable our client, City of Edinburgh Council, who had that orginal vision for where the city wanted to go and lead the way in terms of low carbon and climate resilience'.

A very big well done to everyone involved in this trail blazing project including; Studio for New Realieites, AECOM, LUC, ARUP, Gardiner & Theobald and Luxigon.

Super news for Mairi Laverty, who won 'Young Architect of the Year' at the Scottish Design Awards 2021.

Mairi won 'Young Architect of the Year 'due her ability to balance exceptional design with the skills required to  bring clients, communities, consultants and contractors on the journey to delivering high quality projects. She impresses everyone who has the
pleasure to work alongside her and Mairi’s unwavering design ability is infused with rigour, empathy, determination and good humour.

Mairi has applied her skills to complex, socially inclusive buildings and places across Scotland, including the Larick Centre, Tayport (SDA Commendation); the  Water Row Development in Govan, Glasgow; Bilbohall Masterplan in Elgin;  Sighthill Housing, Glasgow and plans for the Camphill Community/Estates, Aberdeen. Mairi continues to employ ambitious design aspiration and
professionalism throughout her work.

Mairi said, 'I’m delighted and humbled to be selected for this award. It’s an honour to receive this amongst the high design talent that was demonstrated across each category, and being shortlisted alongside Jamie Anderson and seeing the fantastic work that he has produced. I would like to thank all those who I have collaborated with over the past few years who have played a big part in helping to shape my career so far. 

Article by Neal Whitaker, Project Architect at Collective Architecture.

Collective Architecture has, for many years, placed staff wellbeing at the core of its ethos and has maintained a degree of flexibility around the way we work to facilitate this. What the pandemic has done is reframe our understanding of the extent to which this flexibility can be engaged as a tool to improve work/life balance, to the benefit of both staff and the practice.

Throughout the five years I have been with Collective, I have benefitted from this flexibility on many occasions. This has been particularly important to me as an architect who only began training at the age of 30 and as a result have been building the early years of my career – including the stresses of professional exams – whilst starting a family and being stretched thin in my efforts to balance both compelling needs.

I joined the practice in 2016 and immediately started work, alongside an experienced colleague, on a refurb project with a tight programme and challenging procurement structure. Having been a dreamy design-focused student, this was a shock to my system and I became consumed by the stress of it, leading to the decision to approach the practice with the idea of reducing my working week to four days, in search of better life balance. My partner was living on the Isle of Arran and this change allowed me to finish slightly earlier on Thursdays and travel to the island, returning on Monday mornings.

This arrangement worked well, and in 2017, we had our first child. My partner came to Glasgow for maternity leave, but our son had severe reflux and couldn’t sleep for more than forty minutes at a time for many months, leaving all of us completely exhausted. Collective, via my Team Lead, were supportive throughout, arranging for ad hoc compassionate leave during which I was able to take some time at home to give my partner a break. This really did save us at a very difficult time for us.

Once our son was ten months old, I took a share of my partner’s maternity leave and dropped down to a three-day week so that she could go back to part time work on Arran. During this period, I was spending more time on the island than on the mainland and we explored whether it may be possible to refine my office hours to enable us to base ourselves fully on the island as a family, with me working partly from home and travelling to the Glasgow office a couple of times a week. From the current perspective, this type of arrangement perhaps does not appear radical, but in the pre-pandemic paradigm it was a little too far ahead of the curve, so once my parental leave was finished, I went back to a four-day week and picked up my previous pattern – travelling to and from the island on a Thursday and a Monday. This still left a full day each week just for me and my son, when I could be a fully engaged dad – an extremely precious thing which may not have been possible with less flexible employers.

We decided to move to the mainland – which involved my partner leaving her dream job and life (another challenging time navigated with the help of compassionate leave) – and were establishing our new lives when the pandemic hit. The approach taken by the practice throughout this period has been exemplary and, backed by the flexibility and trust provided by Collective, we have been able to carefully navigate our way through the changing landscape of the Covid era so far.

As a family, we were fortunate in the first phase of the pandemic. For us, as for many others, childcare was a major headache. My partner, an essential NHS worker, couldn’t work from home, and we were fortunate that our childminder offered to continue caring for our son, so I was able to transition to home working quite smoothly. In some ways this arrangement was actually more satisfying than the normal routine – I could pick him up at five and be home again with him five minutes later, cutting an hour and a half of commuting from my day.

Towards the end of last year, though, our son was growing out of the childminder’s setting and was ready for nursery. The nursery we felt best suited to him only opens until 2.30 each afternoon, but we were able to choose it because Collective was open to me spreading my 30 hours across five days, working two full days and three short days, freeing me up to collect him three times each week. Seeing him thrive in an environment he loves fills me with gratitude.

We were, again, fortunate that during the most recent lockdown the nursery was able to open for children of NHS staff – but they couldn’t cover all the hours we needed. Collective took advantage of the flexible furlough, allowing me to drop from 30 to 25 hours a week to cover childcare for a few weeks until restrictions eased and the nursery opened fully.

All in all, we have been very lucky. Still, I have found that working from home, even with the major worries taken care of, brings with it some undeniable downsides, particularly as time wears on. Loss of human contact and even the commute, with the opportunity it affords to be amongst others and provide a buffer between home and work, brings a sense of isolation that it is important to counteract where possible. Collective recognised this early on, and a key principle, maintained throughout, has been that working hours are flexible. As long as a core number of hours are during ‘normal’ office hours, staff have been left to make their own decisions about when and how to work. This has meant that on sunny days I have been able to go out for a run or even a bike ride, safe in the knowledge I can catch up once our son is in bed. Contact between staff has been sustained through online coffee breaks and workalongs, communal yoga classes and so on – these have all kept us going.

This brings me up to date – with a second pregnancy for my partner and the various times I’ve gone along to scans and appointments during the working day with the support of Collective. The practice is busy refitting the new office, and discussions are ongoing over how we will use it and structure the balance between home and office to preserve the gains of the past year.

Collective has a culture which really does support staff to live the best life we can. It never feels inappropriate to approach Team leads to discuss personal issues which are impacting work, and they are skilled at balancing the resourcing needs of projects with the wellbeing of colleagues. There is an acknowledgement that work is important, but so is the rest of our lives. I don’t take this for granted, and this motivates me to bring my best to the work that I do, something which I am sure is also the case for all of my colleagues.

To read more Employee Ownership Association Stories, visit the EOA Website.

A couple of exciting nominations this week for two fantastic, hard working architects from our practice, Fiona Welch and Mairi Laverty.

Fiona has been designing green-blue infrastructure projects, with various agencies and partnerships since 2011, and has continuously sought to implement SuDS beyond strategy and into delivery, despite procurement hurdles. Her dedication, work and enthusiasm is starting to bear fruit with projects including Hamiltonhill Regeneration, North Glasgow. The SuDS Champion Award recognises the people who inspire, inform and influence others to get on board, share good practice, and deliver high quality SuDS.

Mairi has been nominated for Scottish Design Awards, Young Architect of the Year, which celebrates excellence over a body of independent work. She has unwavering design ability, infused with rigour, empathy, determination and good humour. Mairi has applied her skills to complex, socially inclusive buildings and places across Scotland, including the Larick Centre, Tayport; the Water Row Development in Govan, Glasgow; Bilbohall Masterplan in Elgin; Sighthill Housing, Glasgow and plans for the Camphill Community/Estates, Aberdeen.

A big well done for all the hard work!

Celebrating 24 years since our formation and 14 years of successful employeee ownership.

The Inside Housing Award shortlist 2021 have been announced, and we are thrilled that Woodside Multi-Storey Flats has been shortlisted for Best Regeneration Project (Urban).

The judging process this year proved to be one of the toughest as 2021 saw a record year for entries, with over 300 entrants. The full shortlist can be viewed here.

Collective Architecture have become the first architecture practice to drive cultural change on waste management from design to construction by joining the Construction Waste Portal. 

So far we are the first and only architecture practice to do so, but look forward to others following suit. We will be working with the team behind the site to help tailor to the needs of construction design professionals, which is an important part of trying to reduce the amounts of site waste, as poor design contributors significantly to construction and demolition waste. Some 33% of all on-site waste may be due to a failure to implement waste reduction measures during the design stages across the sector. This interest in reducing site waste targets builds on our existing work in the Circular Economy under our new brand Collective Energy.

The Construction Waste Portal’s aimed impact is; The more waste stream information we collect, analyse and share, the greater impact we will have in reducing the sector’s resource and carbon footprint.Using our knowledge and systems we help others in the industry to better plan and manage waste, making a significant, aggregated impact on finite resource use and embodied carbon.

As part of the Portals ‘Fess Up social value strategy, they have made a donation to support a project as part of their partnership with B1G1 in recognition of our support in signing up to the Portal. More details about this scheme are here; 

https://www.b1g1.com/the-b1g1-model

The Academy of Urbanism would like you to join them for 3 evening 'fringe' events as we gear up for Congress 2021.

It is hoped that the 3 sessions will provide a different view to the usual built-environment talk, with speakers drawn from a variety of experience and fields.

The 3x3 event is free, and open to all - both AoU members and non-members, anyone with an interest in hearing the speakers' responses to the 3 themes:

Romance and the City, Wednesday 14th April 17:30 - 19:00 | https://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/events/3x3-series-and-the-city-1/

• Louise Welsh - Writer and Professor of Creative Writing at University of Glasgow
• Lily Heise - Writer and romance expert
• Will Jennings - Visual artist, writer, curator and educator
• Zoe Strachan - Reader in Creative Writing, University of Glasgow and Writer

Everyday and the City, Wednesday 21st April 17:30 - 19:00 | https://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/events/3x3-series-and-the-city-2/

• Selina Hales - Founder, Refuweegee
• Mitch Miller - Artist, researcher, creator of dialectograms
• Jennifer Novotny - Project officer, Scottish Civic Trust's Diverse Heritage programme
• Karen Anderson - Architect, founder of Hirta

Play and t​he City, Wednesday 28th April 17:30 - 19:00​ | https://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/events/3x3-series-and-the-city-3/

• Fergus Anderson - Associ​ate, Buro Happold’s UK Sustainability and Physics team
• Dinah Bornat - Architect, London Mayor's Design Advocate
• Anne Marie Galmstrup - Director, Galmstrup Architects
• Gavin Thompson, Partner, Buro Happold

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/3x3-aou-congress-fringe-and-the-city-tickets-148177907109

Our practice is pleased to be sponsoring these events, alongside Iglu and Ibstock Brick.

Want to know more about employee ownership and its contribution to creating a fairer, stronger, and more democratic economy?

Glen Dott, Specialist Advisor at Co-operative Development Scotland, and Jude Barber, Director from Collective Architecture discuss in Episode 2 - Reset and Rebuild Podcast.

Listeners can hear more about the benefits of employee ownership including engaging employees, driving productivity, anchoring jobs and skills in local areas, and helping to distribute wealth more evenly.

You can listen to all the Co-operative Development Scotland the Reset & Rebuild Podcast episodes here.

Collective Architecture is an award winning, employee owned, practice with 50 colleagues, ordinarily working across our two studios in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We work within many sectors, primarily in Scotland, and are a socially responsible practice involved in the design of housing (predominantly social), community and cultural buildings, learning and enterprise buildings, conservation, and strategic master planning.

Collective Architecture is looking to recruit a talented, enthusiastic, and experienced architect to join our team. We are specifically looking to recruit an experienced Project Architect for one of the phases of the prestigious Victoria redevelopment project, to the edge of Queen’s Park, Langside, Glasgow, namely The Park Pavilions incorporating 153 flats for private sale.

The successful candidate will be required to perform the role of job running architect, working as part of a wider project team. The role will involve working up further stages of the Building Warrant to all 5 blocks, detailing steel frame buildings, co-ordinating all design team drawings and working closely with the construction team on site. The candidate will also work as part of one of the 3 wider teams within the Glasgow studio, and may be called to work on other projects to meet deadlines. A minimum of 6 years post part 3 experience is preferred, and the successful candidate will need to have an excellent fluency in Revit and understand how to communicate BIM principles to clients and contractors alike.

Requirements:

• A preferred minimum of 6 years post part 3 experience (working in a UK architectural practice preferably).
• Extensive experience in residential projects
• Thorough demonstrable knowledge of technical construction and detailing, being completely proficient in Revit.
• Excellent design skills, creative flair, and presentation ability
• Excellent communication and confidence in dealing with clients
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with colleagues and other consultants
• Good understanding of Planning policies and Building Regulations

This vacancy is offered on a full time, permanent basis in our Glasgow studio. The studio is operating in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines, which currently requires working from home and taking some journeys to site as and when needed.

Applying - If you are interested in the role, please send the following to recruitment@collectivearchitecture.co.uk with the email title – Architect Job Application.

• covering letter explaining your suitability for the role described
• a CV clearly setting out your qualifications and experience
• a portfolio illustrating your work and demonstrating the skills set out above. Please explain your role on the projects you include (max 10MB)

We are seeking a talented individual who is available to interview and start a new role at short notice. The salary on offer will be in accordance with Collective Architecture’s open pay scale. Collective Architecture offers a number of other benefits, including pension contributions and flexible working, which we provide further information about at interview stage, or in advance if required.

Collective Architecture is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. By signing up to the RIBA Inclusion Charter we commit to making architecture more inclusive. Collecting data is crucial to ensure our compliance with our equal opportunities statement. Our equal opportunities monitoring form can be downloaded here. You are under no obligation whatsoever to complete this form if you do not wish to do so. If you do complete it, thank you for your assistance in doing so.

Closing date for applications will be 12pm on
Wednesday the 31^st of March.

Collective on Calton Hill has won a Civic Trust AABC 'Highly Commended' Award.

This award celebrates projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation, and make a significant contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment.

Judges’ Comments: “A challenging project well considered from a variety of angles and based on a sound foundation of research on an iconic site and that has been well executed.”

Well done to 

A TWO-DAY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE.

Scottish Development International are hosting a two-day programme of events titled “Scotland is Now: The Race to Zero” on 9 – 10 March 2021. 

As Scotland progresses towards its ambitious target to be net zero by 2045, Scotland is gearing up to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow this November and will be centre stage in the global debate on tackling climate change and driving a just transition to a net zero economy.

Scottish Development International's conference represents a major milestone in the countdown to COP.

On Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 March they are hosting a series of free-to-attend online events showcasing Scotland’s green capital investment opportunities. Bringing together world-leading experts and our nation’s most senior figureheads , the event will accelerate action toward a greener, more resilient future.

Panellists

• Graham Hill, Cities Executive for Scotland, Arcadis (CHAIR)
• Jude Barber, Director/Architect, Collective Architecture
• Councillor Adam McVey, Leader, The City of Edinburgh
• John Batten, Global Cities Director, Arcadis
• Richard Thompson, Architectural Director, Parabola
• Sat Patel, Programme Director, Edinburgh Council
• Nick Penny, Head of Scotland, Savills

RACE TO ZERO

According to the UK Committee on Climate Change it is estimated that Scotland will require several billion pounds of investment per year through to the 2030s to deliver Scotland’s transition to net zero. This is a huge investment opportunity and private finance will be critical in delivering this ambition.

During our Scotland is Now: Race to Zero programme, we will discuss the opportunities of the journey towards a net zero economy across Scotland and reveal what the life sciences sector, the residential sector and Scotland’s key cities are delivering to drive this transformation across the economy by offering competitive green investment opportunities including to the real estate and investment market.

Join our sessions to hear inspirational speeches from Scottish Government, Scottish City representatives, and household names from across the investment industry to understand the opportunities Scotland has to offer.

More info: www.scotlandracetozero.co.uk

Woodside Multi-storeys, four of Glasgow’s most recognisable high-rise tower blocks have won a UK architecture award for their energy efficient refurbishment.

The Queens Cross Housing Association flats at St George’s X picked up an Architects’ Journal Retrofit Award in the housing category.

The development saw off a field of 83 entries from across the country to win the award. The Retrofit Awards celebrate the design expertise behind the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings.

The refit of the flats was designed and managed by our practice, with a brief to make 314 homes as energy efficient as possible. Overall the refurbishment has achieved an 80% reduction in energy demand.

The judges for the AJ Retrofit Awards said; ‘A powerful and instructive model of how to approach retrofitting and recladding a tower block holistically, with impressive consultation with residents. Technically to be commended and all achieved on an impressively tight budget of just over £40K per flat.’

Project architect Rupert Daly said:  ‘We took a fabric first approach to radically reduce energy demand and associated carbon emissions. The energy savings would be locked into the building’s fabric. By retrofitting rather than demolishing, the whole life carbon footprint of these buildings is likely to be closer to net zero than most new builds.’

‘We’re delighted that the judges saw the value of our approach. Retaining and retrofitting an existing building is always more sustainable and preferable to rebuilding one if at the same time the energy usage can be reduced through fabric improvement.’

The £16 million project is the most ambitious Queens Cross has ever taken on.

All four blocks have improved low energy lighting, new insulation, modern controllable heating and hot water systems and triple glazed windows. In addition new lifts and refuse areas have been installed along with enclosed balconies and increased security systems.

The V&A's 'Work in Progress' project aims to support the future of the creative industries.

The V&A are offering vital opportunities for emerging creatives at a time of unprecedented uncertainty. The project offers free online tutorials for early-career creatives and final year students based across the UK.

The idea is simple: participants get to discuss their work or a current project with a leading designer or practitioner from across the creative industries.

Tutorials last approximately 30 minutes. They will take place via video conferencing on Wednesdays throughout March and April 2021. Each tutor is offering six free tutorials. Eligible participants will be offered a tutorial on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Jude Barber from Collective Architecture is participating in the programme and will be offering architectural expertise.

For more information: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/i...

Application deadline: Midnight on Thursday 4 March 2021.

This month Collective Architecture supports and celebrates LGBT+ History month. LGBT+ History Month recognises the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements. It takes place every February in the UK and aims to promote and celebrate equality and diversity.

LGBT+ month is an important event because it recognises the influence that LGBTQIA+, Queer people, and their allies have had as part of wider society. The month also recognises the discrimination. and physical and mental violence that LGBT+ people have suffered.

As recent signatories to the RIBA’s Inclusion Charter, we welcome diversity and promote inclusion within our studios. However, it is important to recognise that discriminatory behaviour within the workplace, be it discrimination related to someone’s sexuality, gender, race, ability, culture, religion, or age still occurs on a daily basis. It is equally important to remember that it is up to us as employers and employees, colleagues, and friends within the workplace, to recognise discrimination and call it out!

Up until 2003 in the UK no legislation existed to protect your employment should you be discriminated against because of your sexual orientation. LGBT rights as well as a whole series of other ‘protected characteristics’ are now protected by law. The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in society as a whole. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.

The first LGBT+ History Month in the UK was celebrated in 2005. Since 2011, LGBT+ History Month has taken a different theme each year. The Theme of this year’s LGBT month is ‘Body, Mind and Sprit’ which seems particularly apt for all of us during the pandemic. We are all beginning to realise the impact that the pandemic has had on our mental health and well-being. In more ordinary times, members of the LGBT community, as a direct result of discrimination, are:

- More likely to experience a range of mental health problems such as depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm and alcohol and substance misuse.

- At a greater risk of experiencing hate crime compared to heterosexual people, with certain LGBT groups found to be at particular risk, including gay men, young people and those identifying as LGBT from black and ethnic minority groups.

- Are less satisfied with their life than the general UK population.

Remembering the history of the LGBT+ community is to realise that we've come a long way, but also to realise that we need to support each other and celebrate our diversity. Everyone should be able to bring their whole self to work.

The Powderhall regeneration project reaches another major milestone as the submission of a planning application for the second phase of the masterplan has been made today on behalf of The City of Edinburgh. The proposals, the first of their kind in Scotland, include an intergenerational, Passivhaus facility which combines an Early Learning and Childcare Centre for 128 children with 27 older person’s independent-living homes above. This facility will offer health and wellbeing benefits for the residents, and new learning and social opportunities for children attending the nursery.

Designed to meet the Passivhaus standard, the building will provide high-quality spaces that are comfortable, healthy and consume minimal energy. This will create an optimal learning- through-play environment for the children and help to address the acute housing needs of our ageing population. All homes have been designed to allow residents to age in place and live within their community for as long as possible.

The building is designed to nestle into its context and employs a contemporary material palette of pigmented pre-cast concrete and brickwork, along with a repetitive window pattern and architectural detailing which reference the neighbouring buildings. The Lshaped form has been positioned to maximise benefit from solar gains, securely enclosing the south-facing nursery gardens, and providing active frontages to the entrance square and pedestrian routes. A portico connects the nursery and residential entrances which provides opportunity for chance encounters between the two user groups on their daily activities. In addition, a generous access balcony with integrated window seats provides a sheltered external area for residents to socialise and creates a visual connection to the nursery gardens below. Further resident’s areas include a shared roof terrace and communal garden with sensory planting.

The new Early Learning and Childcare Centre, which will be managed by Broughton Primary School, will allow for the existing nursery provision to relocate to this new facility. This will provide more childcare places for the local community and open up more space for the primary school. It will also have a multipurpose room which will be available for public use via the school lets system.

This phase of the regeneration project also includes a civic space which provides an attractive, biodiverse entrance into the site and demarks the threshold between Broughton Road and the pedestrian prioritised development. Improvements to St Mark’s Path, part of Edinburgh’s Quite Route network, are also proposed, together with a new outdoor educational space for Broughton Primary School, again available for community use via school lets.

Community consultation has been at the heart of the project and has helped shape the proposals from the earliest opportunity. Collective Architecture worked with the local community, stakeholders, and the council to collaboratively develop a place brief for the wider site before any design work had commenced. The place brief acts as a set of guiding principles for the whole site and has underpinned Collective’s masterplan strategy and their subsequent proposals for phases one and two.

Nicola McLachlan, Project Architect, said: “The recent pandemic has reinforced the significant and detrimental impact that unsustainable living and social conditions can have on the quality of our lives,
heightening our sense of accountability. The Powderhall mixed-use masterplan is reflective of an ambitious client and a participatory place-based design approach that has developed innovative and holistic living possibilities, taking proactive steps towards ensuring future communities are both socially and environmentally sustainable and successfully rooted with their surrounding neighbours. Phase 2 of the masterplan focuses on sharing, agency, and autonomy in the context of increasing age demographics, rising levels of loneliness, and takes cognisance of the significant shortage of older persons homes – particularly within urban areas. The proposals create
a purpose-built intergenerational building where residents and nursery children can coexist, nurturing positive relationships between different ages whilst creating a variety of spaces where people can enjoy interaction and sharing space and time together. The project marks a significant step towards designing with an agenda where well-being and improved quality of life for all generations is our measure.”

The Watt Institution for Inverclyde Council has been shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award in the 'Cultural and Religious Buildings under £5 million' category.

The AJ Retrofit Awards, celebrates the design expertise behind the vital renewal and repurposing of existing buildings.

Greg Storrar, architect at Asif Khan and a 2019 judge, said: ‘The AJ Retrofit Awards has quickly become an exemplary champion of intelligently crafted reuse in architecture. It fosters an important discussion of design quality and sustainability at a time when we now more than ever are recognising the critical need to make the most of the buildings we already have, not just those yet to be built.’

The shortlisting of three Collective Architecture projects at this national award ceremony is without a doubt a fantastic acheivement.

The AJ has reveal the first set of finalists vying for this year’s AJ Retrofit Awards.

Both Bell Street Stables Conversion for Wheatley Group and Woodside Multi-Storey Flats for Queens Cross Housing Association have been shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award, Housing Category.

The AJ Retrofit Awards, celebrates the design expertise behind the vital renewal and repurposing of existing buildings, which has a huge impact on the construction industry's carbon footprint. 

Other shortlised projects include; Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio's transformed 18th-century steam cotton mill in Manchester, and Matheson Whiteley’s redevelopment of an existing industrial building in east London.

The list also includes projects by AHMM, Casswell Bank Architects, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and Tonkin Liu.

Emma Fairhurst received the news today that she is now a fully qualified RIAS Conservation Architect!

This Accreditation demonstrates Emma's extensive knowledge and experience in conservation work and her personal competence to administer grant aided conservation schemes for our clients.

Emma has completed many award winning conservation projects over the last decade, including Collective on Calton Hill, which is currently shortlisted for the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award, celebrating the highest standards of historic building conservation in the UK.

Well done Emma - another dedicated conservation architect for our growing team!

Helen Castle, Publishing Director at the RIBA, invited five practices to describe how they are stepping up with an onus on more robust recruitment and retainment processes and greater transparency and accountability.

Mairi Laverty of Collective Architecture shared her thoughts on how Collective Architecture has set about nurturing inclusion in practice through recruitment, retainment and accountability.

For full RIBA article.

There is also an opportunity to hear from experts on a range of diversity and inclusion subjects, and to participate in an equity, diversity and inclusion action planning session, join the RIBA Inclusion Charter Workshop on 30 November, 10am-1pm

Possilpark People’s Trust have submitted a planning application for a proposed new build community centre at Possilpark, Glasgow. The new Possilpoint centre is designed by Collective Architecture to provide multi-purpose community spaces, activity halls, social enterprise spaces and nursery within a phased development. Phasing the development ensures the existing centre remains open during construction and the Phase 1 community hall will be constructed with the secured RCGF funding.

The design maximises the site constraints within the residential and industrial setting and provides a distinct centre built entirely with CLT panels, which promotes a community programme of activities that can be easily managed by Possilpark People’s Trust. The concept plan of the centre considers the connections of all phases together and individually. The space planning approach can be adapted over time as funding levels become more certain. The centre will be designed to a high specification and provide flexible activity spaces to meet the needs and aspirations of local residents.

Robert Stewart, a long term resident of Possilpark and Trust member commented;

“I believe that the new Community Centre will be the catalyst for the re-birth of Possilpark. The Trust views this new-build as becoming the focal point for this community to really come together and benefit from the state of the art facilities. Consequently this will give local people the opportunity to significantly improve their quality of life, health and personal development”

More information on Possilpoint.

Collective Architecture (championed by Director, Jude Barber) has signed the #RIBAInclusionCharter with a commitment to making architecture more inclusive. We would encourage others to do the same. Signing up comes with support, advice and guidance.

By signing the RIBA Inclusion Charter, practices and individuals:

• Acknowledge the urgent need for inclusion in the architecture profession and wider construction industry
• Commit to setting inclusion targets and an EDI action plan for their practice
• Commit to developing their workplace culture, talent pipeline and ways of working to support inclusion
• Commit to publicly reporting on progress of their EDI plan - transparency and accountability are vital to drive cultural change
• Commit to embedding inclusive design in all projects, and contributing to the development of inclusive environments.

Selected equity, diversity and inclusion resources

Accessing Architecture: guidance documents to support people with disabilities entering or progressing careers in architecture.

Mentoring guidance: an overview and step by step guidance documents for in-practice mentoring programmes.

Practice Role Models: a framework for best practice and nine practice case studies.

Black History Month campaign: nine case studies setting out career pathways into and through the profession to leadership

Mental wellbeing toolkit: practical tips for practices and individuals, curated by Architects’ Mental Wellbeing Forum

Close the Gap: guidance on improving gender equality in practice

Gender pay gap case studies: successful initiatives practices have implemented to learn from

If you would like to learn more and sign up, please click here.

Image Credit: RIBA

Collective Architecture is delighted to be on site for the first phase of the ambitious redevelopment of Glasgow’s former Victoria Infirmary hospital site. 

This initial phase will deliver 135 much-needed affordable homes and 11 retail units for Sanctuary Housing.  The second phase will create more than 200 homes for open market sale, including apartments in the restored Nightingale Pavilions.

Peter Martin, Sanctuary’s Group Director said: “The Victoria is one of Scotland’s most eagerly-anticipated housing projects so it’s rewarding to see phase 1 underway.

“These affordable homes will be highly sought after and bring new life to a historic site, sowing seeds for the south side’s newest community.

“We thank Glasgow City Council for sharing our vision for the Victoria and helping fund 135 affordable, accessible homes local residents desperately need.

“The new public realm will complement this first phase of homes, creating an attractive, traffic-free route through the development from Battlefield to Queen’s Park.”

Read more here.

'Solving The Housing Crisis in Scotland' was a webinar event which focused on the issue of how to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across Scotland to meet growing demands.

The webinar aimed to tackle some of the constraints – discussing and debating with experts and affordable housing developers on what needs to happen, how we can accelerate development, how modern methods of construction might play a part, what changes to planning might help and much more...

The event was hosted online by Built Environment Networking, with a short presentations from each key speaker and opportunities for live Q&A and interaction.  Architect and Employee Elected Trustee, Fiona Welch represented Collective Architecture alongside, Jackie McIntosh from Wheatley Group, Ken Ross from RDRL. 

Fiona did an introduction to our practice, and spoke passionately on key themes which run through all our projects; People, Place, Environment and our Process.

It was particularly positive that all the speakers were focused on sustainabity and tackling the climate emergency, and had a firm focus on understanding how much the construction industry needs to adapt to reach the target of Net Zero.

A quote from Fiona's presentation by Urbanist Jan Gehl;

“First life, then spaces, then buildings: the other way around never works” 

This year's Andy MacMillan Memorial Lecture was given by our practice director, Jude Barber FRIAS RIBA.

The Andy MacMillan Memorial Lecture 2020 celebrates the A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards shortlist announcement.

Now in their 18th year, the awards offer a rare opportunity to see all five schools together and recognise the achievement of individual students and their schools of architecture. They are a mark of the continuing high standards of Scottish architectural education and enable both the public and the profession to enjoy the creativity and vision of Scotland's future architects. The 2020 awards ceremony was be held during the RIAS Convention (online from 28th September to 2nd October).

You can watch the lecture here;  VIMEO

Project images above: Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh for the City of Edinburgh Council (c) Collective Architecture / Luxigon

Collective Architecture are delighted to be sponsoring Glasgow Doors Open Day 2020. ​

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is an annual event organised by Glasgow  Building Presevation Trust, celebrating the city's architecture, culture & heritage.​ Each September they bring together dozens of participants who throw open the doors of over 100 historic buildings, theatres, museum stores, factories, studios, breweries & more, across the city, to the public, for free.

Their mission is to increase civic pride among Glaswegians and to broaden awareness of the city's rich built & cultural heritage at local, national & international levels.

If your interested in any of their events on the programme, its well worth putting 10am on 1st September in your diary - it books up super fast!

Event programme: https://www.glasgowdoorsopenda...

Great to see 5 nominated for 3 of our projects at this year's Scottish Design Awards 2020;

Building Re-use:  The Watt Institution
Public Building: The Watt Institution
Building Re-use:  Bell Street Stables
Affordable Housing: Bell Street Stables
Master Planning: Granton Waterfront

Click here for the full shortlist.

BIG CONGRAULATIONS JUDE!!!

Collective Architecture is delighted to announce that Jude Barber has been shortlisted for this year’s BD Leadership Award!

Jude Barber is an important founding member of Collective Architecture, and one of the country's leading architectural figures. She instigated the campaign ‘A New Chapter’ to seek reform for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and is a passionate champion for equality, people and placemaking.

Jude’s influence in promoting these views is evident everywhere, from her involvement as an RIAS Fellow, to teaching and lecturing at various Schools of Architecture across the UK and internationally. In 2019, Jude was invited by Parlour to talk in Australia on women’s participation in the built environment. In the same year she was invited to join the Place Commission, a team of experts in a variety of fields with a remit to create a better quality of place for the people of Glasgow.

She works tirelessly to achieve positive benchmarks which have pushed at the boundaries of the Architecture profession. There is no formula to the success of Jude's work; it is the result of her hard work and determined, engaging personality. Her unique combination of design ability and social awareness linked with her constant effort to pursue all forms of equality is evident in projects such as; The Empire Cafe, interrogating Scotland’s involvement in the Slave Trade, Voices of Experience; the on-going ‘Voices of Experience’ project that shines a spotlight on key female figures who have often been overlooked and ‘The Better Days’ solo exhibition, which called on politicians to recapture post-war optimism and put quality architecture and the built environment back at the heart of Scottish life.

In 2018 Jude won ‘Creative Industries Leader of the Year’ at the Scottish Women Awards, she is a member of ‘Architects for Change’, an RIBA Expert Advisory Group and is active in many campaigns to promote inclusion and diversity in architecture.

The ethos of Collective Architecture mirrors Jude’s inclusive approach, and individuals are encouraged to develop their own architecture leading to a richness of ideas and debate within our two studios. It is important to highlight Jude’s exceptional ability to work collaboratively and still produce unique and distinctive architecture. This is particularly evidenced in this series of extraordinary recent projects;

• Granton Waterfront (2019-2020): Jude is a leading practitioner in the field of strategic planning in the UK. She led the Granton design team with Studio for New Realities to develop a Strategic Plan and Development Framework for City of Edinburgh Council and Partners.
• Water Row Masterplan: (opposite the Glasgow Transport Museum and new public footbridge) Project Director for Glasgow’s most exciting upcoming regeneration site.
• Glasgow Women’s Library: Project director for the superbly crafted library which was shortlisted for Art Fund ‘Museum of the Year’ 2018 and awarded the title ‘Recognised Collections of National Significance’ by Museum Galleries Scotland.
• Collective on Calton Hill – Project director for this multi-award-winning project which won an RIAS Awards and was Shortlisted for the RIAS Andrew Doolan.

Jude is a talent who enriches architecture and the lives of those she works with and her role within Collective Architecture is never underestimated.

Collective Architecture has submitted plans on behalf of Collective, centre for contemporary art on Calton Hill, to bring Observatory House, back into use. A significant building within the Calton Hill, UNESCO world heritage site.

Observatory House, which forms one corner of the City Observatory site redeveloped by Collective Architecture in 2018, is a residential house dating back to the 18^th century and was formerly occupied by resident astronomers. Previously renovated and offered as a holiday let by the Vivat Trust until 2015, Collective now plan to upgrade the house and divide it into two apartments available as lets separately or together for larger groups.

As well as being available to hire, Observatory House will host artists visiting Collective as part of its programme of international art commissions from artists who have never shown their work in Scotland previously. The House will also be opened to the public for special events such as Doors Open Days.

Kate Gray, Director of Collective, said:

“Observatory House is a gem of a building in an incredible location. Though this is a challenging time for Collective as we emerge from an extended closure and are struggling with the loss of expected income, it is even more important that we move forward with plans to complete the full integration of our historic site. As a charity, we are dependent on fundraising and income generation to deliver our mission to bring people together around contemporary art. Giving Observatory House a new lease of life as a lettable space will allow us to generate income that will help keep Collective freely accessible to all.”

Following a formal tender process in December 2019, Collective is delighted to have appointed Collective Architecture to lead the restoration. The Scottish architects previously led the redevelopment of the rest of the site, which was shortlisted for the RIAS Best Building in Scotland Award in 2019. Plans submitted by the architects for Listed Building Consent include the retention of historic interior features such as the ‘whispering room’ on the first floor, a re-modelling of the interior spaces and a unique decorative finish which will draw on commissions from artists and makers based in Scotland.

The restoration of Observatory House follows Collective Architecture’s design of the Lookout, the unique new hilltop restaurant run by Collective’s restaurant partners the Gardener’s Cottage."

Emma Fairhurst, lead architect on the project, said:

“We’re very excited to be returning to Calton Hill and working with Collective once again. Observatory House is a beautiful building, full of character and interest. We plan to keep the rooms simple and calm and to retain the feeling of the House as a retreat, overlooking the busy city below. When complete, the restored House will offer a fusion of gothic architecture, modern interiors, contemporary art, and exquisite local cuisine.”

Renovations to the house are set to begin early in 2021, subject to a fundraising campaign and following the appointment of a suitable contractor. It is hoped both apartments in the House will be available to book from summer 2021."

Todays very exciting news.

Our practice director Jude Barber has announced her RIBA presidency bid.

Jude says;  ’My decision to run is driven by the ever-increasing climate emergency and the associated impact the public health crisis is having across society.

'This current crisis has shone a big, bright light on all that is (and was) either good or bad in the process of making of architecture and our need to better address these proactively with our clients and collaborators across practice, delivery and education. To face many of the challenges and opportunities going ahead we must harness our collective skills, abilities and voice as a matter of urgency, so we can positively support and influence each other in doing so.’

Jude wants the RIBA to have a ‘clear, strong voice’ that ‘best represented and included’ the views of all the members from across the UK and beyond.

Earlier this year we completed the Watt Institution in Greenock for Inverclyde Council.

The Grade 'A' Listed building sits within the heart of Greenock, and is important historically, civically, socially and culturally. It houses archives, locally bequeathed artefacts and world class artworks. The building consists of a museum, art gallery and library along with a large hall for temporary exhibitions and community events.

The fabric of the building had previously deteriorated to the point where both the building and its contents were being irreparably damaged. Our practice worked closely with Historic Environment Scotland to develop an agreed conservation approach. A number of important features were reintroduced to the facades based on historic photographs from the museum archive.

It was a bonus to photograph this stunning building with no cars on the street, so we can all fully appreciate the magnificent east elevation.

Collective Architecture have recently submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council detailing the proposed transformation of the Scottish Sculpture Workshops in Lumsden.

The first dedicated sculpture workshop in Scotland, Scottish Sculpture Workshop is internationally recognised as a site of collective learning and skills development for artists. With an annual, ambitious programme of residency, projects, courses and open access, SSW has been welcoming artists to its site in Lumsden for over 40 years, since the founding of the workshop by artist Fred Bushe.

The transformational plans, developed by our practice in consultation with SSW’s users and local community, will upgrade the facilities to create an improved and accessible environment for artists and local makers. This will include transformed metal, wood and cold casting workshops, a new street facing community space, improvement for disability access and greater environmentally sustainability of the site.

With improved facilities, SSW plans to develop an innovative and experimental learning programme for a range of users. There will also be increased opportunities for skills development in partnership with schools, community groups, local users and artists, ensuring that local communities in Aberdeenshire will benefit from the workshop’s international connections and new facilities.

SSW Director, Sam Trotman says: “As the Director of Scottish Sculpture Workshop and a resident of Lumsden, I believe the transformation of our site will open up significant opportunities for artists and for our local community. We believe it is vital to offer the tools, skills, knowledge and networks to make and share arts and culture and to support the building of resilient and creative communities”.

From the outset, the redevelopment has been approached from the ‘ground-up’ and the plans evidence the utilisation of local skills, materials and knowledge. Function and environmental sustainability are foregrounded throughout, with a consideration for the site and local architecture.

Ewan Imrie of Collective Architecture says: “Through a highly rewarding collaborative design process with the staff and users of SSW, a proposed extension of the existing foundry has emerged, which logically connects the complex casting processes within a string of linked workshop spaces. By their U-shaped arrangement, they also separate the outdoor spaces into a busy, productive yard and a quieter, contemplative and social courtyard with lovely views to the hills.”

Today we celebrate 13 years of Collective Architecture!

We would like to thank all our wonderful clients, consultants, and past contributors who have helped to make Collective Architecture the success it is today.

On Friday we said a fond farwell to Alastair Ewen, one of our Senior Architectural technologists at the practice. We plan to schedule in a proper retirement party later this year where everyone throughout Alastiar's career can join us to celebrate his long and fruitful career.

Alastair worked with Collective Architecture for just over 10 years and everyone at the practice wishes him well on his next adventure (once lockdown ends!).

Alastair's career; 

Alastair started out wanting to do architecture from the outset. His thinking was that people will always need houses, so he received some work experience at his cousins office, Millar Crawford. (It's nice to note Alastair still keeps in touch with Jim Crawford, who lives in Weymouth and is in now in his nineties).

Following his work experience and a summer on the continent doing voluntary work in Germany and France (1968), Alastair discovered that he hadn't achieved the required grades at school.  A friend was starting a QS course at the College of Building and Print, so he joined the course and soon discovered it was a Big Mistake!

So the following year he sat his Highers to achieve the right grades and received a place at Strathclyde University, studing Architecture. Alastair studied until the end of 2nd year, where he decided to “drop out” (apparently it happened a lot in those days!).  He got married, worked at TM Millers, and attended the part-time course at the Mac.  After a couple of years or studying, Alastair realised his passion was for the technical side of architecture.  He got a job at McAllister Armstrong & Partners and studied for an HNC.  Alastair noted that he had a rather crazy academic career!

In 1979 he decided to go freelance and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of jobs and going from place to place, in spite of the job insecurity while supporting a young family. Alastiar enjoyed working in a wide variety of practices which notably included Reiach & Hall, Howard Unick, Coban & Lironi, WS Atkins and more laterly RMJM, before joining Collective Architecture in 2010. 

Alastiar added without any hesitation (or persuasion!) that Collective Architecture was one of his favourite places to work.

Thank you Alastair and roll on the retirement party!

Since Tuesday 17th March we have asked all members of Collective Architecture to work from home, in order to protect everyone as much as possible from the esculating health crisis.

All staff are still contactable via email and our main office phone numbers can still divert calls:

0141 552 3001 / 0131 516 2270

We have tested our IT infrastructure in advance of this pandemic and all platforms and are working effectively and we can respond to most eventualities.

We intend to keep project schedules running on time, but ask our clients and collaborators to bear with us in these unprecedented times. 

Wishing everyone all the best over the coming weeks.

Collective Architecture has recently been appointed by Moray Council to design two new neighbourhoods in Elgin.

The first project is located at Bilbohall, south west of Elgin town centre and proposes 190 homes. The second project will see 65 new homes on the old Spynie Hospital site which is surrounded by mature woodland.

The new masterplans include a commitments to making the area less attractive for drivers by including speed bumps, narrower streets and raised junctions.

Collective Architecture were pleased to involve the local community at two drop in sessions last week at Elgin Sports and Community Centre and the Alexander Graham Bell Centre at Moray College, where the community had the opportunity to give their views on the proposed new housing developments.

We are excited to be working on two fantastic sites with such great potential for the local community.

The Watt Institution in Greenock for our client Inverclyde Council, has been shortlisted for a national architectural award following a major £2.1 million refurbishment.

The Kelly Street building, incorporating the McLean Museum & Art Gallery, Watt Library and Watt Hall, is in the running for The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) award.

The Watt Institution is one of 18 buildings across Scotland in the running for this award having been selected from 80 entries.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s Convener of Education & Communities, said: 'To be shortlisted for such a prestigious honour from The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland is testament to the hard work of everyone involved, from our designers at Collective Architecture to council staff across a variety of departments.  The council has invested a lot of time and money in not only preserving but greatly improving the Watt Institution to ensure future generations can continue to learn about the area’s rich history. The Watt Institution is a great opportunity to discover Inverclyde’s history and heritage and just a fortnight ago we welcomed visitors from Norway, who were impressed with the building and displays during a tour.”

The Greenock arts facility was rebranded the Watt Institution – its original and legal name, which has been brought back into everyday use – to coincide with the bicentenary of the death of James Watt in 2019 following a £2.1m refurbishment of the interior and exterior by Inverclyde Council.

The RIAS winners will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on May 28.

Celebrations this week for our newly qualified Architect, Jonita Karablikova.

Jonita joined Collective Architecture in 2014, working with Collective Architectre through-out her studies.  She completed an MArch in Advanced Architectural Design (with First Class Honours) at the University of Strathclyde in 2017 and returned to full-time in 2018.

Jonita has supported the development of a substantial urban regeneration masterplan at Meadowbank in Edinburgh, and is currently leading proposals for a Garnock Community Hub which has recently recieved planning permission. 

Sveikinu Jonita! 

On Friday 6th March, Emma Fairhurst travelled to London for the W Awards.

Emma was shortlisted for the MJ Long Prize, for the design and delivery of  the Calton Hill City Observatory Project in Edinburgh, alongside 3 other fantastic architects -Alice Hamlin from Mole Architects, Nicola Rutt  from Hawkins\Brown and Tracy Mellor from Rodgers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

AJ editor, Emily Booth said: ‘ The shortlist for the inaugural MJ Long Prize showcases real excellence in modern practice. From a university
building to an innovative workspace retrofit, to co-housing, to design  and restoration of a listed landmark, each of these impressive projects  demonstrates a clear understanding of context and care for the  communities they serve.’ Tracy Meller of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners won the inaugural MJ Long Prize for excellence in practice for her role on the London School of Economics’ Centre Building.

A big well congratulations to Tracy and all the finalists, an excellent way to celebrate International Women’s Day.

As part of RIBA's commitment to support a diverse and inclusive profession, they have published guidance for architecture practices on closing the gender pay gap.

This guidance document provides practical steps for Chartered Practices, providing recommended measures/actions practices can take to monitor, evaluate and address the issues underlying gender inequality in business and a pledge for RIBA members to sign up.

As part of the ongoing campaign to address gender inequality in practice and understand the underlying causes that exist, the RIBA invited Chartered Practices, large and small, to provide details of initiatives they have implemented as best practice examples for practices to learn from and look at how you could implement. In one of the case studies, Fiona Welch, architect at Collective Architecture, speaks about the importance of a consistent interview approach and the benefits of empployee-ownership in gender pay gap transparency.

The RIBA have also an opportunity to sign the pledge and read the further guidance.

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust have appointed Collective Architecture to work with the community on the Isle of Gigha to take forward plans for a new housing and hub development. The new housing will specifically be designed to help older residents stay on the island and younger people be able to rent their first home. The chosen site at Ardminish is close to all island facilities and by combining housing for young and old people around a central hub facility, this development aims to help foster the spirit of intergenerational living on the island.

Ian Wilson – Chair of the Trust said: ‘This is a really exciting opportunity for Gigha. We have young people that are looking to stay on the island or return with job opportunities for them, but a lack of suitable and affordable housing is stopping them from doing this. By including housing suitable for young people to rent, together with specially designed housing for older neighbours with different needs – we think this will be a real step forward in meeting the needs for our community. The plans also include a space for young people to come together to do sport and other activities, as well as a new facility for older people to meet and chat and have services delivered.’

Chris Stewart from Collective Architecture said 'We are delighted to be working with the community on the Isle of Gigha on this important project. Our experiences during the recent Scottish Government Housing 2040 travelling exhibition highlighted just how significant the role of housing, in particular affordable housing, plays in the economies of Scotland’s Island communities. Collective Architecture enjoy long standing working relationships with Argyll and the Isle of Bute, where we completed their award-winning Recycling Centre and repurposed their B listed Council Chambers. We look forward to working with the community on the Isle of Gigha with who we share a passion for collaboration and sustainability.’

Collective Architecture will also be looking at plans for the restoration of the renowned Achamore Gardens. This first stage for the Architects will look at improvements to car parking and access around the Gardens as well as improvements to the structures and facilities within the Gardens.

The much anticipated RIAS Quarterly Winter 2019/2020 issue has been published.

Chris Stewart, guest editor has carefully selected a broad range of voices from across the profession for this issue, and the finished result is a jam packed and insightful read.

Chris says 'What happens beyond today and past 2030, 2045, and 2050 will be a matter for the architects of the future.'  Chris has ensured through-out this publication to include young voices, with an article by Nicola Mclachlan on 'Listening and Learning' and Crumble Magazine, an independent voice in Scotlands architecture world.

Robin Webster'OBE PRIAS, President, RIAS 
'I look forward to 2020 being a year in which architects individually and the profession as a whole show by example how we can address the climate emergency. I would encourage us all to create healthy, beautiful buildings and places in Scotland that will be built to last'.

Leverage National Architecture Conference will be taking place in Perth, Australia on the 8-9th May, 2020.

Leverage 2020 is structured through four themes. Each revolves around a set of levers that can be activated through architectural intelligence, advocacy and activism and new models of practice.

POLICY + POLITICS — leverage through advice, strategy and negotiation

PEOPLE + PARTNERSHIPS — leverage through proximity, connection and mediation

PRACTICE + PROJECTS — leverage through speculation, process and production

PUBLISHING + POLEMICS — leverage through discourse, advocacy, argument and education

These themes will be explored through plenary presentations, public conversations and chaired panel discussions. Parallel ‘pivot’ sessions will extend and amplify these themes in terms of everyday actions, large and small, which delegates might explore in their own working and professional lives.

Many people are doing extraordinary work. Leverage provides delegates with the opportunity to learn from speakers and each other.

We are pleased to say that Jude Barber and Nicola McLachlan will be attending the conference to discuss our principles of creative freedom, equity and sustainability. 

Fantastic News, Emma has been 'shortlisted' for the MJ Long Award, named in memory of inspirational architect, lecturer and writer Mary Jane (MJ) Long.

AJ editor Emily Booth said: ‘ The shortlist for the inaugural  MJ Long Prize showcases real excellence in modern practice. From a university building to an innovative workspace retrofit, to co-housing,  to design and restoration of a listed landmark, each of these impressive projects demonstrates a clear understanding of context and care for the communities they serve.’

Emma joined Collective Architecture in 2015 after several successful years working with Malcolm Fraser Architects in Edinburgh. Throughout her career, she has applied her skills towards a number of highly complex, social and cultural buildings always achieving award-winning results.  She has the rare ability to balance exceptional design talent with the integrity and skill required to reassure and navigate clients, consultants and stakeholders through the delivery of exceptionally high-quality projects.

Emma was project architect from inception to completion for the award winning Collective on Calton Hill, the highly acclaimed City Observatory in Edinburgh for the Collective Gallery.

Emma has proven to be calm, quietly-confident leader/mentor encouraging all members of staff to realise their full potential. Her sensitive, elegant and beautifully crafted designs stand out due to their contemporary interpretation of context, materiality and detail.

Well done Emma, a fantastic achievement.

We are currently recruiting for an Independent Trustee to join us in 2020.

If you are interested, please send your CV and cover letter to trust@collectivearchitecture.co.uk

We would love to hear from you!

Deadline for applications: Friday 31st January (5pm)

Further details below;

Nothing cheers up a dreich Sunday morning more than meeting your pals from work whilst wearing santa outfits!

A fun puddle dodging morning running around the streets of Glasgow raising money for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

Merry Christmas!

Home is more than simply shelter. It is not just the place where we live, but has a huge influence on how we live. It can shape our health and wellbeing, as well as our work and prosperity. It also impacts on the quality of our environment and the strength of our communities. Housing touches every part of life in Scotland, from childhood to old age.

Present Voices - Future Lives exhibition explores the future, working to understand what our homes and communities should look and feel like in 2040. The exhibition looks at themes around living and housing, offering the opportunity for discovery and discussion – gathering and sharing views about our housing needs and aspirations.

The Scottish Government has begun to consider how our homes and communities should look and feel in 2040 and the options and choices to achieve this.

Present Voices – Future Lives: Housing 2040 exhibition is curated and  designed by Edinburgh University’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), Collective Architecture and Peak15 Design,  together with film maker and photographer Chris Leslie and Craig Stewart, author Sandy Halliday and ESALA researcher, Connor Smith.

The views collected through the consultation and the travelling  exhibition will help to inform the Scottish Government’s final vision and route map for housing over the next 20 years, which it is aiming to publish in spring 2020.

Collective Architecture are commencing work with Scottish Sculpture Workshop (SSW) to upgrade their Lumsden workshop spaces and site.

The project will see a ‘ground up’ development that utilises local materials, skills and knowledge, and foregrounds environmental sustainability and functional spaces for artists throughout the design and construction.

SSW director Sam Trotman revealed the redevelopment plans for the first time during a two-day celebration last weekend to mark SSW’s 40th anniversary.

SSW was set up in 1979 by artist Fred Bushe as a shared making facility for artists and since then thousands have visited across the years, as a place renowned for supporting collective learning, living and making.

Artists from all disciplines and practices have worked in the shared studio and workshops with support from the SSW teams, making new work, experimenting with material and process, and exploring the wider ecological, socio-economic and political concerns of SSW’s rural locale.

In 2018, SSW, together with consultants Bonnar Keenlyside, carried out a review of SSW’s existing facilities, assessing the condition of the assets and their suitability for current and future activities, users and audiences.

The resulting feasibility study concluded that there was a need for upgrading of the site so that the facilities could be considered fit for purpose and meet organisational and artists requirements and ambitions.

Ms Trotman said: “SSW started with the desire, vision and hard work of artist and educator Fred Bushe to create a space that commoned tools and skills for other artists to live, make and learn together.

“Like everything at SSW the development of the new workshops will be rooted in these founding beliefs. We will work with artists, technicians and users to ensure these workshops continue to be places where relationships are made, material experimentation is foregrounded and new worlds are conjured into being.”

She added: “We are pleased to have appointed Collective Architecture to join us on the journey, their values around sustainability and community make them the ideal partner to work with us, our collaborators and communities to reimagine these spaces at SSW.”

Ewan Imrie of Collective Architecture said: “Collective Architecture are delighted to be working collaboratively with SSW to develop this project. We are very much looking forward to learning about the technical processes and creative explorations that occur at SSW and helping to shape a new future for the site that enhances its potential while preserving the characteristics that make it so special.”

Hillcrest Homes and Collective Architecture invited Scottish Designers Kirsty Thomas from Tom Pigeon to develop a series of public artworks for ths new Ellenowan housing development.

A drop in community workshop was held on Thursday 14th November betweeen 5 -7pm where local residents learnt about the project and gathered thoughts and memories and hopes for the new community.

Nick Walker from Collective Architecture has joined 'Change the Record', led by Grace Choi, the RIBA North East’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group.

The RIBA are looking for members who will pledge their support to the 'Change The Record' agenda. They are seeking architects, architecture faculty or architecture students who are willing to become ‘Advocates’ by agreeing with the five Pledges below.

Change the Record believe that visibility is important to bring about the change we want to see in the profession. This requires everyone to stand together to amplify the voice.

Change The Record Advocates pledge to:

• Create a diverse representation of society in architectural education and practice
• Challenge practice culture to be more open, flexible, respectful and inclusive of everyone
• Support equal opportunities for all qualified architects to progress their careers
• Call out and challenge discriminatory behaviour
• Promote and encourage role models, championing the visibility of the under-represented

Create, challenge, support, call out, promote: equality, diversity and inclusion.

Collective Architecture were delighted to accompany Sanctuary Scotland this week in showing The Honourable Melinda Pavey MP, Minister for Water, Property and Housing; Jeff McCormack, Chief of Staff ; Alison Frame, Group Deputy Secretary, Housing and Property, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment ; Jim Bentley, Deputy Secretary, Water, CEO Water, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and David Harris, CEO Water NSW, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment around our award winning Anderston Phases 4 & 5 development. The Australian delegation were in Scotland and England to meet with key stakeholders, examine large scale award winning regeneration projects and learn from international colleagues. Thankfully the rain stayed off but still a long way from Sydney’s climate.

Exciting news, Anderston Regeneration Phases 4 & 5 has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

This is the 2nd year running that Collective Architecture’s work has been put forward for this high profile national awards ceremony - AJ Architect Awards.

In 2018 The Barmulloch Residents' Centre won 'Best Public Building 2019', The Secret Collection was 'Highly Commended' and the Leith Fort Regeneration project was shortlisted in the ‘Housing Project of the Year (above £10 million)’ category. This was an incredible achievement for our practice in itself, however our success was further recognised on the evening when we were honoured to be presented with the ‘AJ Architect of the Year’ award !

Well done to everyone involved in Anderston Regeneration and a big congratulations to our client Sanctuary Scotland for having the foresight to transform this area of Glasgow into such a desirable place to live.

The 2019 AJ awards will see architecture’s most creative and talented leaders and innovators attend the ceremony in London on 20 November 2019 .

Our fingers are crossed for Anderston!

Collective Architecture has a new Passive House Designer - a big congratulations Tony Zanieri!

We now have a growing team of in-house Passive House Designers in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

'A Place for the Work and the Human Being’ has been running throughout 2019 and takes place in a range of venues, new and old, around Glasgow. The series explores the needs, expectations and possibilities of the space for art today and speakers include artists, architects, curators and others.

The title is borrowed from the sub-title of a text by Swiss artist Rémy Zaugg (1943 – 2005), ‘The Art Museum of My Dreams’, written in 1986, translated into English in 2013 and now out of print.

Conceived to run in parallel with Common Guild's transition from 21 Woodlands Terrace to a new location for future exhibitions.

For more information on individual events, or to book tickets, please click on this link.

The sixth talk in the series, Common Guild are delighted to present the Glasgow-based architect, Jude Barber.

Jude Barber is a director at Collective Architecture. The 48-strong, employee-owned and controlled studio is founded on principles of creative freedom, equity and sustainability. In 2018
Collective Architecture was named 2018 Architecture Journal 'Architect of the Year'.

Together, the team has delivered several key civic and cultural projects around the UK including the new home for Collective, Edinburgh, at the City Observatory on Calton Hill, which was awarded a RIBA National Award 2019.

Collective Architecture is pleased to announce that planning permission has been received on behalf of Sanctuary Homes for the redevelopment of the site at Burns Road, Cumbernauld to provide 133 new affordable homes.

The project will deliver contemporary amenity flats all set within high quality landscaping and new public spaces. The development has carefully considered the existing public footpath network crossing through the site to influence the arrangement of buildings and design character. The design approach strengthens and enhances the existing network to create active frontages, a new circus and communal garden spaces linked via new footpath connections. The variety of proposed open spaces will improve pedestrian permeability throughout the site and provide flexible and welcoming spaces for people to visit and socialise.

The proposed urban form creates distinctive nodes and vistas with zinc-clad gable ends as features. The roof-scape of the development is varied in response to the steep and complex topography whilst the pitched roofs are alternated, celebrating the traditional Scottish gable form. The unique form of the curved block to the north of the site responds to the shape of the site to provide a signature landmark for Cumbernauld.

Project Architect, Alan Smith said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward these proposals with Sanctuary Homes for such a significant site. Like many similar sized towns, Cumbernauld requires more provision of high-quality affordable housing. To meet this need we have worked closely with the client and engaged with the local community to form a place with a strong sense of character.”

Tonight Collective Architecture will be attending the Scottish Design Awards 2019, with 6 shortlisted projects. More details on the shortlist can be viewed here: SDA 2019 Categories

A few comments from the Judges about the overall standard of entries for 2019;

It was very exciting indeed to be involved with the Scottish Design Awards for the first time. What was immediately striking was the overall quality of design talent and innovative approach that exists within the design community in Scotland, as well as the clear value that clients involved place on good design as a critical part of their business success. This made the judges’ task rewarding and stimulating, and at times very difficult to identify a clear winner amongst the diverse submissions. But what we hope our final choices demonstrate is Scotland’s design community is fizzing with talent! Philip Long, Director, V&A Dundee

'I was impressed with the standard of entries this year and it was really heartening to see in particular the high number of good projects in the educational category. This bodes well for the experience and learning of the next generation. In the regeneration, and in other, categories it was heartening to see some really strong entries that creatively re-used existing buildings. This is vital in the future of architectural practice for sustainability and for the quality and coherence of our towns and cities. I was surprised that by comparison there were fewer entries shortlisted in the affordable homes category and I hope that housing associations and others will fill that gap next year.' Karen Anderson, Founding Partner, Anderson Bell Christie

Collective Architecture's entries pictured from top left corner clockwise;

Muirskeith Road
Award Category - Affordable Housing

East Calder Partnership centre
Award Category - Public Building

The Lookout on Calton Hill
Award Category - Interior Design

Collective on Calton Hill
Award Category - Leisure and Culture Building

Water Row Masterplan
Award Category - Master planning / Landscaping

Anderston Phases 4 and 5
Award Category - Affordable Housing
Award Category - Regeneration

A heart warming read on the recently completed housing project on Shawbridge Street in the south side of Glasgow;

The 42 new homes in Shawbridge Street are the latest stage in the transformation of Pollokshaws.

Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, dropped by to meet Geraldine and some of her fellow tenants this week.  New Loretto tenant Geraldine Skelly says she ‘thanks her lucky stars’ for her new home in the south side of Glasgow.Geraldine, who uses a mobility scooter, says her new home in Shawbridge Street makes her ‘feel human’ again.With a communal lift and fully-level access in her block, Geraldine says being able to come and go as she pleases makes a big difference to her quality of life.

Geraldine, 57, moved from a GHA high-rise in nearby Birness Drive where she lived for 20 years. Geraldine said: “I enjoyed living in the high-rise but it was difficult getting up and down from the ninth floor. Here, it’s much easier. The doors are wide enough for my scooter and there’s a lift.I get out and about much more and I feel a lot better in myself. I feel human again. I love it here. I thank my lucky stars every day.”

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:
“These high-quality, accessible new homes are a testament to the partnership working to transform the Pollokshaws area. Providing a mix of housing to meet people’s needs is central to establishing vibrant and thriving communities. I am delighted to see the difference these homes are already making to people and the positive impact on the wider community, bringing together elements of the old and new to create a vibrant and unique space.

“Everyone deserves a safe, warm, affordable place to live, which is why we’re investing a record £3billion to achieve our ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, of which 35,000 will be for social rent. Successful developments like this keep us on track to achieving that target.”

“I’m delighted Geraldine is so happy in her new home. As well as changing tenants’ lives, new homes like this help breathe new life into communities.”

Councillor Kenny McLean, Chair of TC:G, said:
“These homes illustrate the fundamental point that a high-quality home is key to a good quality of life. I am delighted Geraldine’s new home has had such a positive impact on her life. I am sure these 42 new homes – which are another step in the regeneration of Pollokshaws – are enjoyed by everyone living in them.

Calum Murray, Director of CCG, said:
“The new homes at Shawbridge Street are highly energy-efficient, creating a positive legacy of energy savings for tenants such as Geraldine.

“The wider impact of the development is also significant, with six full-time jobs, two trade apprenticeships and five work placements delivered as well as donations to the community in Pollokshaws.”

Full Article: CCG 

Collective Architecture are currently working with See Me, the national programme to end mental health discrimination, to look at mental health in our workplace.

As part of the programme, we have sent out a short, annoymous staff survey to everyone in our practice to see what they think.

This is the first step of a four step plan for our workplace, to make continuous improvements to our culture, practice and policies, and directly tackle any stigma and discrimination.

We have enlisted the support of See Me Scotland and feel it is incredibly important to spread the word in our workplace and beyond!

Find out how stigma relating to individual mental health conditions can affect people and where to get further information.

Collective Architecture has successful completed the conversion of a city centre stable block which was  once home to dozens of working horses in Glasgow, transforming it into 52 new flats for mid-market rent.

Clients GHA and Lowther Homes, both part of Wheatley Group, are behind the £7 million regeneration project which has put life back into the B-listed Bell Street Stables in the Merchant City.

And as the first tenants moved into their new homes, Derek Mackay MSP, cabinet secretary for finance, economy and fair work, popped in to see how historic buildings can be restored to provide quality, affordable housing.

He was joined by Spencer, a 12-year-old Clydesdale horse from Pollok Park, who dropped in to mark the transformation of the building that would have been home to his ancestors.

Designed in the late 19th century, the stable block housed the horses which pulled Glasgow City Cleansing Department’s refuse collection carts, as well as the city’s police horses.

Economy secretary Derek Mackay said: “A house provides more than just somewhere to live – it offers a sense of pride and belonging, and enables independence and confidence. I am delighted to see the difference these high-quality, new homes are already making to people and the positive impact this development will have on the wider community, bringing together elements of the old and new to create a vibrant and unique space.

“Everyone deserves a safe, warm, affordable place to live. That is why the Scottish Government is investing a record £3 billion to achieve our ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, of which 35,000 will be for social rent. Successful developments like this keep us on track in achieving that target.”

The refurbishment of the block, which created 13 jobs and training opportunities for local people, has involved restoring the existing façade and repurposing the original stable dividers from the upper floors into cycle-storage areas.

Staircases to the upper floors run alongside the original ramps which were climbed by the horses after a day of work, and many of the original features have been reused including water fountains, horse drinking troughs which have become planters and the cobbles which have been relaid in the courtyard and on the decks. The original entrance gate has been restored by the same company, Sillars Blacksmiths, who made it in 1898.

Wheatley regeneration director David Fletcher said: “This project has brought great quality, much-needed affordable homes to the city centre – while restoring a building in a way that pays tribute to its history.”

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convenor for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm at Glasgow City Council, said: “This city centre development is a tremendously imaginative transformation of a listed building which is now home to 52 new flats in a fantastic location. We were delighted to support the refurbishment of the former Bell Street Stables, and it is really pleasing to see that this partnership has delivered these new homes to this historic part of the city.”

CCG director Calum Murray said: “Bell Street Stables is unique for the city of Glasgow and a truly historic housing development. I am also delighted that as a direct result of construction, CCG was able to provide five full-time jobs, three trade apprenticeships and five work placements as well as performing curriculum support for local colleges.

The AJ has revealed all the projects vying for this year’s AJ Retrofit Awards 2019.  Collective Architecture is delighted that two of our projects have been selected;

The 1st shortlist in the 'Higher and Further Education' category is for Chambers Street for client Edinburgh University.  Others shortlisted projects include; Lister Learning and teaching Centre by Reiach and Hall Architects, Engine Shed, University of Northhampton by MCW Architects and Dreadnought Student Centre by Dannatt Johnson Architects.

The 2nd shortlist in the 'Cultural Buildings under £5 million' category is for Collective on Calton Hill for clients Collective and City of Edinburgh Council. Other projects in the running are schemes by David Kohn Architects, Hampshire County Council, DRDH Architects and Nissen Richards Studio.

Great news for our practice!

Last year's main award, the coveted Retrofit of the Year prize, was given to a cultural project – Ian Ritchie Architects’ reworking of the Royal Academy of Music.

Kicking off Northern Pride, Architecture LGBT+ are hosting a pre-parade Bucks FIzz Pride Breakfast in partnership with the RIBA North East and hosted by Ryder Architecture.

The event is open to all, encouraging our allies to join in with the celebrations. The breakfast will be relaxed and informal and is timed to allow folk to enjoy the Northern Pride festival afterwards.

The event will include a short discussion from role models sharing their insight, followed by an open questions and answer time. It will be chaired by Daniel Mossman, the North East Representative from Architecture LGBT+.

Speakers include:

• Nick Walker from Collective Architecture
• Danni Kerr RIBA role model
• Daniel Mossman from Architecture LGBT+
• Elly Williams from Ryder Architecture
  

Bucks Fizz and breakfast will be provided, see you there!

Free Tickets for this event: https://nearchitecturepride.eventbrite.co.uk

Today is Employee Ownership Day and Collective Architecture is celebrating 12 years of 100% ownership.

We started the day hanging out a few banners at Bell Street Stables, our freshly completed housing project for Wheatley Group, and will end with a few celebratory drinks this evening!

Our 49-strong team operates as a collective, a Limited Company owned by an employee-run trust. Employee ownership empowers all staff to engage with and influence key decisions on the direction of the company. Everyone is invested in our future success and we share a commitment to work hard to make that happen.

Consistently we are told that employee ownership is a key incentive in applying for a job at Collective Architecture. Staff feel directly connected to the impact their work has on the success of the company, resulting in an engaged and motivated workforce who are passionate about our projects and the communities we work within. Recognition from awards and positive feedback from clients is shared with the whole company, to acknowledge the contribution that every individual makes towards our collective success.

For more information on becoming Employee Owned visit; Employee Ownership Association.

For further reading on our our founding principles, our organisational structure and working methods, please see the attached link for the full publication 'Crafting and Grafting' ; http://architectureireland.ie/digital-edition-landing-page

Photo; Collective Architecture's Glasgow team hanging out EO banners at our recently completed housing development at Bell Street Stables in Glasgow's Merchant City | Client; Wheatley Group | Contractor; CCG

Breaking News - Collective on Calton Hill has won an RIBA National Award.

Judges’ citation The project on Calton Hill is the result of a strong and highly successful collaboration between the two client bodies and the design team. A shared vision from the project’s outset has driven the design from inception to completion, producing a number of bold, contemporary interventions which successfully achieve a unifying functional coherence with the sensitively restored historic buildings on this site of national significance.

The projecting glazed corner of the new Outlook restaurant building, cantilevered over the site’s original boundary wall brings a bold and vibrant addition to the site’s historic skyline, visually marking to those in the city below a key step in the evolution of this important site.

RIBA region Scotland – Location Edinburgh – Completed 2018 – Client City of Edinburgh Council/Collective Arts – Architect - Collective Architecture Contract value - £4 million – Internal area 491m² – Cost per m² £8,146 – Contractor ESH Construction – Structural engineer Elliott & Company Consulting Engineers - Original Architecture Practice Malcolm Fraser Architects (RIBA Stage3)

AJ News Article

Connor, Andy and Billy (the site manager from CCG) attended the 2019 Saltire Society Awards at the Scottish Parliament yesterday evening (25th June 2019).

Anderston Phases 4 & 5 was presented with a Commendation, which is the culmination of 14 years hard work to regenerate the Anderston district of Glasgow.

Phases 4 & 5 is a significant development of 200 apartments for social and midmarket rent. The project reinstates an important section of Argyle Street which was removed in the 1960’s. The development has restored vistas towards the city centre from Glasgow’s West End and vice versa, and stitches Anderston back into the surrounding area of Finnieston.

Link to view all all Saltire Winners.

Admiral street was up for the Innovation award for its use of CLT, and this made it to the final two projects, which is a fantastic achievement. On the night, the award went to Auchineden Barn, which was the first certified EnerPHit project in Scotland, which adopted Passivehaus methodology to achieve exceptional environmental comfort within the home at minimal running costs.

We are delighted that two of our projects were in the final of such a prestigious and competitive award ceremony.

Exhibition highlighting women that worked within the differing built environment disciplines during mid-20th Century

Exhibition;
SAT - SUN 08 - 23 June 2019
MON - SAT 10.30am - 5pm / SUN 12pm - 5pm

Event - Momentos of Working Life;
SUN 16 June 2019 / 2.30pm - 4.30pm

TICKETS FREE

Location: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lan, Glasgow, G1 3NU

An exhibition and daytime event within the Lighthouse Centre of Design and Architecture that shares insight and experience from women who worked within the built environment during the mid-20th Century.

This exhibition is focused around a series of artefacts or mementos - gifted by eight previous participants from the wider Voices of Experience project. The objects from their working life are accompanied by text and sound clips to provide context and deeper understanding of the objects and their significance.

To accompany the exhibition the Voices of Experience team will host an informal afternoon tea which brings some of the exhibition participants together in conversation to discuss their selected artefact and its significance. They will be invited to ask one another questions and invite contributions from those attending.

The exhibition, and associated daytime event, seek to shine a light on women's work and influence within the built environment.

Associated Links;

http://architecturefringe.com/... | @VoExperience | @voicesofexperience | www.ads.org.uk/voices_experience/ | #voicesofexperience | @The_Lighthouse

Voices of Experience is a collaborative project led by Suzanne Ewing (a Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design and Theory, ESALA), Jude Barber and Nicola McLachlan (both of Collective Architecture)

VoE was created so more people could hear and learn from women of all ages working in the built environment. This is because the predominant language and methods of documentation within the architectural landscape are still typically geared towards accrediting sole (typically male) architects for the realisation of any project; this has never, and will never, be the case. So, VoE wanted to explore this reality – through stories and informal conversations – in a way that was convivial, intergenerational and work-focused.

As the project grows and evolves, we hope to provide more people with a stronger voice, a greater opportunity to be heard and a positive landscape within which to tell the story of their working life.

Collective Architecture were delighted to welcome Karlsruhe Institute of Technology into our Glasgow studio earlier today.

Prof Dr Riklet Rambow and 17 students were keen to learn more about Collective Architecture and our approach to engagement and participation.

Thanks to everyone for attending the presentation and we hope the Scottish weather is kind for the rest of the trip.

Chris Stewart will be talking at this years SEDA AGM/conference held in Forres on Speyside, June 14th / 15th.

Chris will be among other speakers, discussing 'Can sustainability coexist with the more indulgent joys of life? This SEDA ‘Lifestyle Colour Supplement’ explores subjects ranging from fashion and horoscopes to travel and restaurant reviews to help you answer this question'.

Please see links for Programme, Tickets and more information on SEDA.

Collective Architecture celebrated all things Collective at the RIAS Awards last night!

Collective on Calton Hill picked up an award in the 'Leisure, Culture and Ecclesiastical' category.

Jury chairman Prof John Cole said the journey around the country to view the projects had been "a reaffirmation" of the ability of architecture to positively influence the lives of individuals and communities.

The judges said the project on Calton Hill was the result of a "strong and highly successful collaboration" between the two clients and the design team.

They praised the "bold, contemporary interventions" as well as the "sensitively-restored historic buildings on this site of national significance".

Malcolm Fraser Architects initally won the invited competition for the project in 2014, secured planning pemission and progressed detailed design. The project moved to Collective Architecture during 2015 and the practice saw this project through to completion in 2018.

Project Information:
Clients: City of Edinburgh Council, Collective Gallery and The Lookout
Consultants: Faithful + Gould, Elliot & Company Consulting Engineers Ltd, Cundall, Harrison Stevens Limited
Original Architectural Practice: Malcolm Fraser Architects (Completed stage 3)
Contractor: Esh Construction

Further Information:
Collective Gallery opening times; Collective on Calton Hill
If you would like to book a table at restaurant for truly great food at one of the best locations in Edinburgh; The Lookout.

Wonderful news last night for Emma Fairhurst who won RIAS Emerging Architect of the Year 2019.

Emma Fairhurst is a hugely talented architect and collaborator. She joined Collective Architecture in 2015 after several successful years working with the team at Malcolm Fraser Architects in Edinburgh. Throughout her career, she has applied her skills towards a number of highly complex, social and cultural buildings achieving award-winning results.

Emma has the rare ability to balance exceptional design talent with the integrity and skill required to reassure and navigate clients, consultants and stakeholders through the delivery of exceptionally high-quality projects.

Emma is the architect for the newly completed, highly acclaimed City Observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh for the Collective Gallery (featured in the Guardian).

In parallel with her work on Calton Hill, Emma has also delivered new studios for the University of Edinburgh, won the limited design competition for Broughty Ferry Library and guided younger architects through challenging sites and projects such as Leith Fort for Port of Leith Housing and the City of Edinburgh Council. Her work at Malcolm Fraser Architects includes prestigious projects such as Linlithgow Burgh Halls, The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and Arcadia Nursery.

Emma has proven to be calm, quietly-confident leader/mentor encouraging all members of staff to realise their full potential. Her sensitive, elegant and beautifully crafted designs stand out due to their contemporary interpretation of context, materiality and detail.

Jude Barber took part in a talk for the launch of the Irish Architectural Foundation’s Journal ‘Building Material’ in Dublin, September 2018. During the talk, many people kept asking questions about how the practice was organised.

Following on from this, Michael Haynes editor of Architecture Ireland invited Jude to write an article about our structure for the latest issue of Architetcure Ireland (304- RIAI Issue).

Please see the attached link for the full publication 'Crafting and Grafting' ; http://architectureireland.ie/digital-edition-landing-page

Jude outlines some of our founding principles, our organisational structure and working methods, whilst reflecting on Richards Sennetts book ‘The Craftsman’. She concludes that ‘We are working together, in a modest way, to hone that craft to create buildings and places that are fit for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century'

Exciting times at Collective Architecture with the appointment of the new trust board as elected by the employees.

- Jane Briggs
- Cathy Houston
- Nicola McLachlan
- Nick Walker
- Tom Warren
- Fiona Welch

A huge thanks to Carole Leslie and Campbell Clark who assisted us in this process.

Collective Architecture became employee owned in 2007 and this is the first time we have revisited our company documents. The new Deed of Trust was signed this morning and reinforces our composition as 100% employee owned with the interests of the beneficiaries at the heart of everything we do.

For more information on Employee Ownership.

Great News!

Anderston Regeneration has won 'Affordable Housing Development of the Year' at Homes for Scotland Awards 2019.

Delighted this project has been recognised by Homes for Scotland

More info: Anderston Regeneration Phases 4 & 5

For Bake the World a Better Place, we encouraged members of our office to take some time out from their working day to eat cake and chat about mental health, with a particular focus on supporting mentally ill, anxious and stressed employees in the workplace. We took the time to discuss the complexities of mental health issues, sharing our experiences (ranging from the temporary 'blips' to the more long-term, clinical problems), and considered how we might work towards a working environment that better understands and accommodates those who are affected by mental illness, anxiety and stress.

It was encouraging to be able to discuss mental health openly and frankly with others, and even the simple act of taking some time away from our desks to eat, drink and chat to colleagues was refreshing for us all.

We also were delighted to raise just under £100 for the Architectural Benvolent Society.

Read more from our Caitlin Macleod in her article 'Making Room'.

Architectural Assistant, Caitlin Macleod has started a new blog on Urban Realm. Her first post discusses 'Design for Disaster';

Climate change and its increasingly apparent effects are being discussed now more than ever. 2017 saw a number of devastating natural disasters: Louisiana’s Tropical Storm Harvey damage, the hurricane in Puerto Rico, the earthquakes of Mexico and the California wildfires to name but a few. We had our own issues in the UK also, with the evacuation of Lancashire residents following widespread flooding across northern Wales and northwest England in November, and Storm Eleanor causing the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to release fifteen flood warnings across the country at the start of the year. The consequences of our mistreatment of the planet are being felt, and they are consequences which hit those living in vulnerable conditions the hardest.

Read more; here

The Women in Construction Networking Event returns to Scotland Build on the 21st March from 10.00am - 12.30pm in the Built Environment Networking Hub. This is the largest gathering of women in Scotland working in construction.

The session is free-to-attend for all and offers the chance for professional individuals operating in this market to network and feel inspired. Learn from a panel of established experts discussing the untapped opportunities for women working in construction, diversity and equality.

10.15am - 11am Panel Discussion: Driving Change, Diversity and Equality Across Scotland's Construction Industry

Moderator:

Amanda Mckay, Quality Director Major Projects, Balfour Beatty

Panellists:

Mariana Trusson, Associate Director, Cundall

Hannah Simpson, Assistant Site Engineer, Graham

Jude Barber, Director / Architect and fellow Architect For Change Member, Collective Architecture

Ashley Constance, Pre-construction and Development Manager, Morrison Construction

Joanna Glenfield, Projector Officer – CareerWise, Equate Scotland

The event will be examining the issues of gender imbalance and inequality within the built environment. Places fill up on a first come first serve basis, so get your ticket and arrive early on the day to catch this highly anticipated annual event.

Scotland Build is working with a large team of female ambassadors to grow the session even bigger for 2019. If you are interested in getting behind us to drive equality and diversity in the built environment as a Women in Construction Ambassador, simply get in touch with; selena.moseley@oliverkinrossevents.com

Last day of work for Victoria before she heads off for some feet up time before her new arrival in early April.

Everyone at the practice wishes her well and hopes she can fit into a taxi with her enormous bouquet of flowers!

Today for International Women's Day we are celebrating the 20 fabulous women who work at Collective Architecture.

Collective Architecture has 47 members of staff employed in both our Glasgow and Edinburgh studios, so that's a 43% strong female workforce and growing!

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, 7th March, RIBA North East is planning an exciting event to explore, challenge and address issues of gender diversity in practice.

RIBA have invited practitioners to speak from a variety of scales of practice, who lead by example and have a strong ratio of male: female staff. We want to learn from reality, and hear your ideas, suggestions and inspiration about how we can “change the record” to recruit, retain and promote a more gender diverse profession.

The event will include presentations from leading architects sharing their insight, followed by a questions and answers time. The evening will be chaired by Grace Choi.

Confirmed speakers

• Nicola McLachlan – Collective Architecture
• Fiona Welch – Collective Architecture
• Soo Darcy – Ryder Architecture
• Nicky Watson – JDDK Architects
• Jenny Gillatt - Mosedale Gillatt

You can purchase a ticket for this exciting event here; Buy Ticket

Triple celebrations this afternoon for our newly qualified Architects.

Well done Neal, Cat and Carl!

You can meet Cathy Houston from Collective Architecture on Friday 8th March. Celebrating Women in Architecture at the Design Popup, Dublin. Cathy will be talking about Glasgow Women's Library and Barmulloch Residents Centre.

http://www.designpopup.com/dublin !

We are currently recruiting an experienced Architect / Technologist to join our busy Edinburgh team.

If interested, please send your CV to recruitment@collectivearchitecture.co.uk

Deadline for applications: Sunday 17th February (midnight)

Interviews will take place in the proceeding week: 19th - 22nd February

More details below;

A Happy New Year from Collective Architecture!

Wishing everyone health and happiness in 2019.

Above photograph was taken by our Drone Pilot, Connor Milton on top of Calton Hill, 21st December 2018.

Collective Architecture would like to thank everyone who supported Social Bite's 'Sleep in the Park' fundraiser on the 8th December.

We managed to exceed our target and raise a total of £3,590 (including Gift Aid).

Social Bite’s mission is to end homelessness in Scotland and 'Sleep in the Park' was held to raise funds and stimulate the political action required to make a massive difference in the lives of Scotland's most vulnerable people and ultimately try and eradicate homelessness in Scotland.

Providing high quality housing forms the bedrock of Collective Architecture’s values and we work with clients all over Scotland to provide homes for sometimes the most vulnerable people in our society. This is why we got behind this incredible charity.

Well done to everyone involved, a great team effort at the end of 2018!

Last week demonstrated the incredible strength of our creative community. The overwhelming support and kindness we have received since winning the 'AJ Architect of the Year' award has been incredible. We are hugely appreciative of this support.

We would also like to thank everyone who has worked or collaborated with Collective Architecture over the last 20 years and we look forward to the future.

A new sculpture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh was unveiled on Monday the 10th of December in Anderston, on the 90th anniversary of Mackintosh’s death. The sculpture marks the end of the ambitious regeneration of Anderston in Glasgow’s West End following the completion of Collective Architecture’s Anderston Phases 4 & 5 development. Designed by Andy Scott the sculpture is thought to be the first public sculpture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh in the world.

Andy Scott is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art and works internationally. He creates prominent public artworks for private, corporate and civic clients, and his prodigious output now numbers in excess of eighty projects internationally. This new work was completed with fabrication assistance from Sculpture and Design Studio.

Nick Walker and Andy Gower, Project Architects for the Anderston Phases 4 & 5, attended the opening ceremony where Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, gave a speech about Mackintosh’s legacy, the success of the Anderston Regeneration, and the importance of community, high quality public realm, and the importance of public art in placemaking and the creation of sustainable communities.

Article from Architecture Journal 2018/12/05;

Congratulations to Collective Architecture, winner of Architect of the Year at the 2018. Glasgow and Edinburgh-based Collective Architecture really couldn’t be better named. Not only does the 42-strong firm itself operate as a collective – a limited company owned by an employee-owned trust – but the firm has steadily established a reputation for forging high quality and socially conscious architecture from its close collaboration with clients in Scotland and beyond.

Founded in Glasgow more than two decades ago with the goal of pursuing sustainability and creative freedom as well as greater participation on the part of clients and users in architecture, Collective has its roots in housing association projects. Today, it continues that line of work alongside its projects in other community-based sectors, such as education, culture, heritage and urban regeneration. ‘Working internationally with private and public clients, we consider all projects unique, regardless of size or budget, and capable of providing a source of identity for place, organisation or individual,’ the practice says.

In keeping with its stated commitment to the wider society, Collective Architecture encourages its staff to invest in research, to teach and, somewhat unusually in this often reticent profession, to speak their minds. As a leading voice on the Scottish architecture scene, director Jude Barber leads from the front on this, campaigning for women in theprofession and helping to lead a successful push for reform of the RIAS. It’s not all top down, though, and what’s heartening is to see younger architects such as Cathy Houston, Emma Fairhurst, Ewan Imrie, Alan Smith and Gerry Hogan acting as spokespeople for their successful projects.

In many ways, Collective Architecture has been ahead of the curve and, as its raison d’être has aligned more and more with what one might expect an ideal practice of today to be, sotoo has its output become more consistent and the resulting awards and accolades more frequent.

What most impressed the AJ Architecture Awards judges about its winning Barmulloch Residents Centre and highly-commended museum storage facility in Paisley was what the practice has been able to achieve with meagre means. While great efficiency and longterm value have been achieved with the former, the latter has resulted in a state-of-the-art building for Renfrewshire Council Arts & Museums service on ‘an extremely modest budget’.

This year, Collective Architecture has demonstrated very successfully what amazing results are to be had with a thoroughgoing, committed and collaborative approach.

Will Hurst for the Architects Journal.

We are really proud of our team heading down to London for the AJ Awards tonight; Alan Smith, Ewan Imrie, Nicola McLachlan, Gerry Hogan and Cathy Houston.

This is the first time that any practice in the UK has managed to achieve 3 finalists positions at this awards ceremony.

It's an amazing achievement to be recognised at a National level for the quality of our work in three different sectors.

We definitely feel this is a reflection on Employee Ownership and the care and commitment everyone puts into each project.

11 colleagues from Collective Architecture attended the 2018 GIA Award ceremony at A'Challtainn in Glasgow's Eastend.

Collective Architecture were given 3 commendations for our large-scale housing regeneration project in Anderston, The Secret Collection Museum Store in Paisley and the East Calder Partnership Centre in West Lothian. Then just when we thought it was over, Dougrie Community Hall scooped a special GIA Sustainability Award.

We are delighted that all these projects have been recognised and wish to thank our clients and consultants who helped make this happen.

A fantastic night was had been all !

Collective Architecture is delighted to reveal Calton Hill, a freshly restored and redeveloped part or Edinburgh's World Heritage Site for the joint client City of Edinburgh Council and contemporary art organisation, Collective (no relation to Collective Architecture). The new contemporary art gallery, panoramic viewing terrace and destination restaurant, The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage, will open to the public for the first time on Saturday 24 November 2018.

The opening marks a fresh chapter in the history of the Observatory site and for our client, Collective, an organisation active on the Scottish arts scene since 1984.

Above: Project Architect: Emma Fairhurst (Photographed by Jude Barber)

Above: Calton Hill (Photographed by Murdo Macleod for the Guardian)

Guardian Article Link: 'We have liftoff: Edinburgh Observatory Embarks on a new mission'

James N Hutchinson - Rumours of a New Planet (Art Work) in the Library, City Observatory (Photograph: Tom Nolan)

Above: Collective Architecture's Tom Warren collecting the award on behalf of the practice for 'Highly Commended' UK Employee Owned Business of the Year.

We would like to thank the EOA team for inviting us to present breakout session 22 'Attracting & Retaining Talent as an Employee Owned Business' with a special thanks to Mark Jenkins of Coverdale for his facilitation of the session.

For more information; Employee Ownership Association

Nick Walker and Andrew Gower are attending this year’s AJ Architecture Awards at Exhibition London, Shepherd's Bush on behalf of Collective Architecture, for our housing project Anderston Phases 4 & 5.

The AJ Architecture Awards recognise excellence in UK architecture across a range of categories including Higher Education, Culture, Health and Well Being, Leisure, as well as Housing,

These highly coveted awards are well researched and highly regarded by architectural practices, with each shortlisted project visited in person by the judging panel, and with all finalists then published in the Architects' Journal.

Last month we had the pleasure of showing the judging panel around Anderston. They demonstrated a strong dedication to the cause by coming all the way up from London on the red eye morning train and then back again in the afternoon of the same day!

As a practice we recognise the AJ's commitment to placing value on visiting the finalists projects, giving them a chance to see the projects in their context and the opportunity to speak to the people who use or who reside in the buildings that are being considered. We are also very appreciative of their effort and their commitment to the debate around how we deliver high quality buildings.

More information and othe shorlisted practices:  AJ Architecture Awards 2019

Collective Architecture is delighted to announce that plans have been submitted for planning on behalf of Cunninghame Housing Association, working in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council to deliver their Strategic Housing Investment Plan, for the redevelopment of the site of the former Lockerbie Academy to provide forty-five new affordable houses.

Forming a key gateway to the town of Lockerbie, the proposals for the brownfield site consist of a mix of semi-detached and terraced two storey housing, alongside cottage flats and amenity bungalows. A considered approach to the site layout has sought to build on the strong sense of place within Lockerbie, which has been a common theme expressed in consultation with the local community.

Project Architect, Ross Aitchison said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward these proposals with Cunninghame Housing Association for such a significant site. Like many similar sized towns, Lockerbie requires increasing provision of high-quality affordable housing.

To meet this need we have worked closely with the client, and through engagement with the local community, to form a place with a strong sense of character. In doing so we have looked to reference and evoke the familiar, enduring qualities of the high quality public housing built in Scotland in the early 20^th Century. Using a palette of repeating architectural elements, we are bringing forward proposals which will resonate with the local community and create a strong feeling of ‘home’ for the new residents.”

Collective Architecture has been selected from six shortlisted practices by Camphill School Aberdeen to deliver a £10m capital investment development over two of its three campuses (Murtle Estate and Camphill Estate).

RIAS Consultancy of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland acted as advisor to Camphill School Aberdeen in the management of a competitive process to select an architect and multi-disciplinary design team.

Mairi Laverty from our practice said;

‘Collective Architecture is delighted to have won the Camphill School Aberdeen competition. The project vision for Camphill School Aberdeen is inspiring and builds on their pioneering approach and legacy. Our concept design sought to respond to both the tranquil site and the particular needs and aspirations of residents, volunteers and staff. We look forward to working with Camphill School over the coming months and years to deliver a unique and ambitious project that will stand the test of time for the school and wider community.’

The six shortlisted practices were (listed in alphabetical order; Anderson Bell + Christie, Collective Architecture, Hoskins Architects, James F Stephen Architects, jmarchitects and Scott Brownrigg.

Camphill School Aberdeen Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Kathleen Scott said;

‘We have been overwhelmed by the response to the competition and very impressed by the overall standard of all of the shortlisted practices. CSA are delighted that Collective Architecture have won this closely contested competition and look forward to working with them to deliver our long-term campus wide vision’.

Collective Architecture attended the Herald Property Awards on the 27th September at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow

The Herald Property Awards honours the achievements of Scotland’s most innovative and successful house builders, developers and registered social landlords.

We are delighted that two of our projects won awards;

Harvie Street in Cessnock for Wheatley Group won Best Regeneration Project (pictured below)

Leith Fort for Port of Leith Housing Association and City of Edinburgh Council won Best Affordable Development (pictured below)

Chris Stewart and Tom Warren of Collective Architecture helped organise the annual Ecological Cycling and Walking tour which this year took place around Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula.

Peninsula Expedition builds on last years very enjoyable Island Expedition held on Bute when cyclists and walkers spent their September Weekend visiting buildings and projects with an emphasis on all things sustainable. This included Queens Hall, Dunoon Burgh Hall, Fyne Homes Passive House 'Tigh-na-Cladach', Benmore Botanic Gardens and Kilmun Parish Church.

The Scottish Ecological Design Association produced an Island Expeditions Tour Map for the adventures in Bute, and a similar map for Peninsula Expedition in Cowal. The Peninsula Maps are capable of being added to the Island Expeditions maps to complete the Three Ferries Cycle Route between Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, Rhubodach to Colintraive and Dunoon to Gourock.

The Island Expedition maps (sponsored by the GIA and created by Designers on the Run) can be downloaded on the links below;

https://www.seda.uk.net/architectural-tours/peninsula-expeditions-dunoon
https://www.seda.uk.net/architectural-tours/peninsula-expeditions-cowal

Director Jude Barber won ‘Creative Industries Leader of the Year’ at the Scottish Women Awards 2018 yesterday and the practice is very proud of her achievements.

Jude has worked tirelessly over the last decade to achieve so many positive benchmarks which have pushed at the boundaries of the Architecture profession.

There is no formula to the success of Jude's work; it is a result of her determined and engaging personality. Her unique combination of design ability and social awareness linked with her constant effort to pursue all forms of equality is always present, and evident in; The Empire Cafe, interrogating Scotland’s involvement in the Slave Trade, Voices of Experience, an on-going project that shines a spotlight on key female figures who have often been overlooked, and ‘The Better Days’ solo exhibition which called on politicians to recapture post-war optimism and put quality architecture and the built environment back at the heart of Scottish life. Jude has also won the inaugural National Achievement Award and has been active in several campaigns and marches to promote women in architecture.

The ethos of Collective Architecture mirrors Jude’s inclusive approach, and individuals are encouraged to develop their own architecture leading to a richness of ideas and debate within our two studios. Jude’s influence in promoting this view extends beyond our practice, from her involvement in A New Chapter, seeking reform in the RIAS, to teaching and lecturing at various Schools of Architecture across the UK.

With regards to Jude’s own (multi award winning) work it is important to highlight her ability to work collaboratively and still produce unique and distinctive architecture. This is particularly evidenced by projects that required skilful sculpting of form and material such as Centrepoint Hub, Gowkthrapple, superbly crafted housing projects across Scotland and the recently completed Glasgow Women’s Library which was shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2018 and awarded the title ‘Recognised Collections of National Significance’ by Museum Galleries Scotland.

Jude is a talent who enriches architecture and the lives of those she works with and her role within Collective Architecture is never underestimated.

We are delighted to have been nominated for 'Creative Industries Leader of the Year' at the Scottish Women's Awards 2018.

The Scottish Women’s Awards 2018 aim to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs, business women, professionals, civil servants, women in uniform, charity workers and many more that make Scotland a greater place to live in.

The awards embody the continuing strength, grit and determination of women, honouring those who continue to thrive, excelling them to the forefront of their industries.

Collective Architecture looks forward to attending the award ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, on Wednesday, 12^th September.

'Voices of Experience' talks at Glasgow Women's Library: An on-going project that shines a spotlight on key female figures who have made important, and often overlooked, contributions to architecture, design and the built environment in Scotland.

Chloe joined our Edinburgh office in August 2017 as an Architectural Assistant (Part 1). She has been involved in a wide range of projects including Meadowbank and Powderhall in Edinburgh.

Chloe has a strong interest in sustainability and enjoyed developing this during her time at the office, with frequent lectures and discussions through SEDA, GIA and the EAA. Her interest in sustainability led to an opportunity to attend the Sustainable Cities Summer School in The Hague, Netherlands.

She is now returning to the Mac to continue her studies in Architecture.

Freya joined Collective Architecture in June for a summer placement to help out on several projects.

She is now heading back to Delft in the Netherlands to continue her studies in Architecture.

A difficult time of year to stick to a diet at Collective Architecture!

Everyone had a great time taking part in the 2018 CCG ‘It’s a knock out’ charity event. A few aches and pains were felt around the office on Monday morning!

Collective Architecture came in a very respectable 4th place and most importantly we've raised over £1050 for 'Life for a Child'

More info on our selected charity here: https://lifeforachild.org/about/vision-and-mission.html

Please feel free to make a donation here (before 5pm - 24th August) :

https://www.justgiving.com/fun...

A very big thanks to all the staff that took part in this challenge and

to everyone who contributed to the charity.

Cake baking has reached a new level at Collective Architecture!

The whole office is waiting for someone to make the first cut as its far too beautiful to eat.

Thank you Dhamintha for being a fabulous Part 1 and we all wish you well for your studies in Copenhagen.

Today we say a fond farewell to Natalia who has been working as an Architectural Assistant (Part 1) in our Glasgow office. Natalia is departing Scotland for Chile tomorrow, where she will be studying for 5 months in the capital city, Santiago.

Sticking with the Collective Architecture tradition, she has baked a chocolate brownie cake in the formation of her Derby Street project in Dundee.

Adios Natalia!

Groundworks have commenced at Derby Street, Dundee with an exciting new housing development for Roberston Partnership Homes, Hillcrest Housing Association, and Dundee City Council.

The project will see 163 new homes built on a vacant urban site, close to the center of Dundee. This was previously home to Butterburn and Bucklemaker Courts, twin multistorey blocks providing around 370 homes in this historically important part of Dundee. Both were demolished in 2012 and the opportunity arose to reinstate the historic street patterns, tying into the existing fabric with a mixed development of family-sized houses, apartments, wheelchair accessible homes and supported housing.

Andrew Lee has recently completed professional photographs for the East Calder Partnership Centre which opened its doors in March 2018.

Executive Councillor for Culture and Leisure Dave King said: "The new East Calder Partnership Centre is another sign of West Lothian Council's commitment to enhancing and empowering our local communities. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the delivery of the new centre and a special thank you to local residents for their patience and support during this period.

"The completion of the centre will create a new focal point for the village, bringing together services and groups under one roof in a central location. East Calder is a growing community and it's vital we have the right facilities and services available to meet the needs of the local community.

"The building looks fantastic and I'm sure that the people of East Calder will make good use of the facilities for years to come".

Scott Hadden, Chairman of the builders Hadden Group who worked on the Partnership Centre said: "We're really proud to have delivered such a fantastic facility for the residents of East Calder and we are sure it will provide a heart to the community for many years to come."

Collective Architecture is celebrating 11 years of employee ownership today.

Our staff are really important to us and are actively engaged in the practice's development. Ownership by all brings care and commitment to every aspect of our work and that's what makes us a Collective!

A ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the £2.8m Tayport Community Hub.

The facility, which has been 24 years in the making, is scheduled to be open in June 2019 and will offer space for sports, arts and crafts, education and training.

Last Wednesday, children from Tayport Primary School planted trees in the grounds where the building will stand, located on Shanwell Road

Richard Tough, chairman of Tayport Community Trust (TCT), said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“The Tayport community has been working hard on this long-term project, which will include a cafe, an all-purpose sports hall, as well as another hall that can be used for events and fitness groups.

“The idea is that the facility will be flexible to the needs of Tayport".

“Initially the project started out with the aim of building a sports facility, but since then it has evolved to be a more holistic project to include tourism, business, arts, crafts and much more.”

Early steps to get the project underway began in 1994 with the creation of Tayport Community Sports Action Group. TCT picked up the baton in 2008 and in 2016 the Shanwell Road site was purchased with help from the Scottish Land Fund.

The following year, the Steel Fabrication Factory, which was on the site, was demolished and that paved the way for TCT’s successful application to Big Lottery Fund for £1.2 million in March 2017.

Since then, a period of fundraising activity has raised over £2.7 million to meet the costs of the project and construction work has finally commenced.

Collective Architecture are delighted to adopt the artwork, ‘Sculpture for the Lobby’ by artist Felix Welch

We would be delighted if you could join us for drinks to celebrate this adoption and help promote the work of the Sculpture Placement Group.

Time: 31st May - 18.00 - 20.00 hrs

Location: Collective Architecture, Top Floor, Mercat Building, 26 Gallowgate, Glasgow

The Sculpture Placement Project is an innovative project which helps forge relationships between local businesses and artists as a means to support and promote artists as well as finding new homes for sculptures which might otherwise be stored in a unloved space.

For more information on the Sculpture Placement Project;
www.sculptureplacementgroup.org.uk