Architecture+DesignScotlandPlacemaking and design in rural ScotlandDiarmaid LawlorHead of Urbanism, A+DS

Format of PresentationPlace-making and the rural setting: what’s it all about? The challenge of better place-making and sustainable economic growth The role of A+DS The changing rural landscape and contexts for place-making in Scotland Practical sustainability as a way forward

Place-making and the rural setting: what’s it all about?

The challenge of better place-making and sustainable economic growth

The role of A+DS

The changing rural landscape and contexts for place-making in Scotland

Practical sustainability as a way forward

The biggest challenge we have in front of us…….

The biggest challenge we have in front of us…….…….is to do ordinary things better. We need to create a new ordinary.

+[physical setting]place =+[story of a people][contexts]

What makes a thriving community, a good place?has aspirationshas a low ecological footprinthas diversityis culturally richhas identity and is ‘lively’people want to be there and live thereis confidentis convivialis a learning community

What is the role of buildings in a Thriving Community?affordablewell builtflexible – suit changing life stylesadaptable through new technologiessecureof low eco footprintexciting and modest fit within the context of ‘thriving places’.

First Annual Report of the Scottish Council of Economic Advisors, December 2008

First Annual Report of the Scottish Council of Economic Advisors, December 2008

We need to be pragmatic for the individual and….SiteHouse

…ensure that all places need to make a contributionCountryIsland/RegionLandscapeSiteHouse

Who are A+DS?Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) are the national design champion for place-making and quality in the built environment.

Our roleTo advocate the benefits of good design and place-makingTo advise on design qualityTo inform and support the delivery of good design Supporting delivery of 5 key Government objectives

To advocate the benefits of

To advise on design quality

To inform and support the

A+DS: How we deliverCoreOur focus Advocacy and championing Managing programmes Shared projects and partnershipsOur clients‘Assist those who fund, manage and deliver the built environment in Scotland’Our processes Framework Agreements Design Review Expert advice

Advocacy and championing

Managing programmes

Shared projects and partnerships

Framework Agreements

Design Review

Expert advice

A+DS: How we deliverUrbanism + placemakingCoreDesign ReviewHealthUrban RegenerationSchools

A+DS: Partnerships and shared projectsShared projectsUrbanism + place-makingCoreDesign ReviewHealthUrban RegenerationSchools

In 1967, 98.5% of Scotland was classified as countryside82% of people in Scotland today live in settlements of 3000 or more About 30% of settlements have a population between 3-10,000

the rural environment:POETRY & PRAGMATISM

Romantic landscapesLived in landscapesWorking landscapes‘There is no natural landscape, only the landscape of people and their lives. There is no single landscape; there are landscapes,layers upon layersof them’ [Skehan, 2008]

Changing contexts for place-making in the rural settingLandscape function and quality of placeSustainable CommunitiesFull life opportunitiesSustainability and climate change

Full life Opportunities: quality, flexibility, ease of construction

Sustainability and climate change

Pragmatic SustainabilityQuality of LifeBetter budgetingContributionSustainability and community

What’s more sustainable?…this?From The Herald 27 February 2007

….or this?

Impact of Climate ChangeClimate change leading to increasedtemperature and moisture fluctuationsfloodingground subsidencebiological colonisation Impact on buildingsaccelerated decay of materialsincreased decayincreased instabilityinsect attack

Impact of Climate ChangeClimate change leading to increasedtemperature and moisture fluctuationsfloodingground subsidencebiological colonisation Impact on buildingsaccelerated decay of materialsincreased decayincreased instabilityinsect attack = increased maintenance

Full life Opportunities: Quality, choice and affordabilitySitingFormMaterialsIndividual buildingCluster eg croft, clachanLarger grouped housing egestates, urban extensions‘LOCAL’Landscape integration‘MAJOR’Urban and landscape integration

Siting

Form

Materials

Conclusions‘Green’ alone does not necessarily mean sustainabilityThriving communities are sustainable and they need green buildingsDesign of place, design of building is importantQuality is vital in the rural setting