Austin-Smith:Lord are delighted to be part of this year’s Architecture Fringe. Initiated by a group of architects, designers, photographers, engineers, visual artists, curators and musicians, the Architecture Fringe is an independent contributor-led series of projects and events across the arts which explores architecture and its impact.

We will be hosting ‘Past Present Possible Glasgow 2019’ on Saturday 15^th June 2019 (drop in any time between 10am and 3pm) in the Glasgow City Free Church, 265 St Vincent Street, Glasgow. Everyone is welcome!

More details at the link below:

http://architecturefringe.com/#/past-present-possible-glasgow-2019/

We are delighted to be selected by the Welsh Procurement Alliance for inclusion on their new Construction Consultancy Framework. This important new framework enables clients to access our services throughout the whole of Wales through both Direct Award and Mini-Competition.

The fully OJEU compliant, free to access, framework provides an excellent opportunity for clients to commission the high quality services that they require whilst saving on both the cost and time associated with other procurement routes.

The Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA) is a new approach for procurement in Wales, and is backed by LHC, one of the leading and most respected not-for-profit, public sector procurement organisations in the UK. Whilst established some 50 years ago to foster greater efficiencies and higher quality within the housing sector, the WPA Framework is designed for use across all public sector work and already has the backing of around 30 Client Partners including Welsh Local Authorities, Universities and Housing Associations.

The service provision offered through the Construction Consultancy Framework covers the full range of RIBA stages 0-7 to support building projects from site find, survey and feasibility through to design, project management and completion. Austin-Smith:Lord has been selected to cover all 3 regions of North, South and Mid Wales, following a rigorous competition assessing both quality and cost.

Access to the Framework is very straight forward and the WPA has a client support team on hand to assist. If the framework is of interest to you, please contact our WPA Framework Partner, Martin Roe. martin.roe@austinsmithlord.com

We are delighted to announce that Kew Gardens Great Pagoda has been ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2019 Museums & Heritage Awards (Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year’ category).

The Great Pagoda, located at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, is the most important Chinoiserie-style building in Europe. It is a ten-storey brick tower with octagonal plan form and roofs and balconies rising in diminishing stages. After five years of research and investigation it has undergone a major restoration, led by Austin-Smith:Lord on behalf of Historic Royal Palaces, with the aim of returning it to the original vision. This includes the reintroduction of eighty dragon sculptures on the roofs. It has now re-opened to the public for the first time in thirty years.

David Millar, Head of Conservation at Austin-Smith:Lord said “We are delighted that all the hard work to bring the Pagoda story to life and reinstate the dragons has been acknowledged by the Museums and Heritage judges last night. Thanks to all involved!”

Our congratulations go to all the other shortlisted projects, and of course the category winner which was the Old Royal Naval College Painted Hall project.

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You can find out more about the Kew Gardens Great Pagoda project at this link: https://www.austinsmithlord.com/projects/the-great-pagoda-kew-gardens/

Take a look at some of our other conservation projects here: https://www.austinsmithlord.com/service/conservation/

PERTH ROAD – PLACES FOR EVERYONE

West End Community Council have received funding through the Places for Everyone fund which is administered by Sustrans Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, to develop ideas to enhance a section of Perth Road, Dundee to create an accessible, quality ‘high street’ for everyone. The project focuses on Perth Road from Miller’s Wynd to Blackness Library, but considers this key route within the wider context of Dundee.

The project will encourage active travel by seeking to identify ways to improve access for all, particularly people who walk, cycle or wheel. The project will promote positive behavioural change whilst applying the town centre first principle to encourage social, economic and physical regeneration of the Perth Road area as a whole. Given Perth Road’s proximity to the city centre, the project will seek to strengthen connections to key destinations and routes in the centre of Dundee.

SHAPING FUTURE PLANS

Perth Road – Places for Everyone is the first phase of an ambitious three phase project to transform Perth Road into an area which is safe, accessible and attractive, creating a desirable destination that people will want to visit shop and spend time in. This first phase seeks to gather survey evidence, engage with both the community and stakeholders and formulate a placemaking plan which will subsequently feed into further funding applications to expand on design stages.

If successful the second phase would involve developing design ideas in collaboration with the local community, and the third phase would be the construction and implementation of these design ideas.

The West End Community Council have appointed a team comprising Austin-Smith:Lord (urban planning, landscape, architecture), WAVEparticle (community engagement, public arts), Transport Planning Ltd., and Neilson Partnership (cost consultants) to collaborate with the local community, businesses, Dundee City Council and local and national agencies to develop initial ideas for Perth Road.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS – EVENTS PROGRAMME

Throughout May and June 2019 there will be numerous events and opportunities for anyone with an interest and passion for this part of Dundee to get involved and share your ideas. If you live, have a business, work in or visit this part of Perth Road, the West End Community Council want you have your say on what works, what needs to be improved and what the priorities are.

All events are free and open to everyone.

There will be a programme of on-street, online and in-situ events to explore the priorities for action in the area.

From 29^th April 2019 there will be a dedicated Commonplace website where you can post your comments on what works, needs to be enhanced and ideas to make positive changes to improve Perth Road. This can be accessed at https://perthroaddundeemap.commonplace.is/

A Places for Everyone Charrette on 22 – 25 May as part of Dundee Design Month 2019 will feature a series of participatory planning workshops and interactive activities at Gate Church International (158 Perth Road, Dundee). In advance of the Charrette local young people will participate in design workshops in the local schools.

The Charrette events will start with an evening Launch Event on Wednesday 22 May. An open door Co-Design Studio will run on 22 – 25 May, inviting participants to drop-in and get creative by sharing, sketching and testing ideas to improve pedestrian and cycle access and enhance the quality of the environment along Perth Road to support the local resident, business and civic community in the area.

A programme of events in the Co-Design Studio will include: Walk, Wheel and Talk tours of the area to problem solve on-site; Ideas Mapping giving folk a platform to share their work; Futurewalk taking a wander along Perth Road and exploring its past, present and possible future; and Postcards from the Future inviting participants to write to themselves from 2029 confirming the positive changes they hope to see. A full programme of events will be confirmed in May 2019. Project updates are also available at https://perthroaddundeemap.commonplace.is/news and via twitter @PerthRoadPlaces.

The Perth Road – Places for Everyone team will also have a stall at West Fest on Sunday 2 June 2019. All events are free – All Welcome!

West End Community Councillor and Project Sponsor, Russell Pepper said;

“Perth Road is a great part of Dundee, but it could be much better! It should be a place for everyone in the community to enjoy and take pride in, so we’re delighted to have secured funding from Sustrans to hold a series of events to gather opinion and priorities from the local community on how they would like to see the area improved. If we’re successful in securing funds for the second phase of the project, this information will have significant input, so it’s important that as many people take part as possible – please come along if you can!”

Graham Ross, Partner at Austin-Smith;Lord said;

“Perth Road is recognised in the Local Development Plan for Dundee as one of the city’s key ‘high streets’. To face up to the challenges facing ‘high streets’ it is important to ensure that they are places that people want to be in; places where everyone feels they are welcome, have reason to be there and wish to spend time there. It is great that the West End Community Council have secured the support of Sustrans Scotland to progress this canvassing of opinion and great ideas. We look forward to exploring the possibilities and creative solutions to meet these challenges in a way which ensures Perth Road is a thriving place for everyone in the future.”

Dave Keane, Infrastructure Manager for Sustrans Scotland said;

“We are pleased to be able to support the West End Community Council through Places for Everyone, to help make Perth Road a space where people can come to meet, spend time or access other parts of the city. We look forward to seeing the ideas that the local community come up with and the results of the charrette and working with the Community Council and the City Council to help take ideas forward.”

 

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NOTE TO EDITORS

1. West End Community Council represents the interests of Dundee’s west end. The group is a constituted organisation working to develop local resources for locals and visitors alike.
2. Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey. www.sustrans.org.uk
3. Places for Everyone is funded by Scottish Government and delivered by Sustrans Scotland in partnership with local authorities, statutory bodies and educational institutions for the creation of walking and cycling infrastructure for everyday journeys.

SUMMARY PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Commonplace Website Launch: 29^th April 2019

Places for Everyone Charrette: Wednesday 22 May to Saturday 25 May 2019 @ Gate Church International

West Fest stall: Sunday 2 June 2019

We are delighted to have achieved Cyber Essentials PLUS Certification.

Cyber Essentials PLUS is a UK Government-backed, industry-supported certification scheme introduced in the UK to help organisations demonstrate operational security against common cyber-attacks.

It demonstrates the baseline controls Austin-Smith:Lord implements to mitigate the risk from common Internet-based threats, within the context of the UK Government’s 10 Steps to Cyber Security. It is backed by industry, including the Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry.

David Price, IT Manager at Austin-Smith:Lord said “Cyber Essentials PLUS accreditation clearly demonstrates Austin-Smith: Lord’s commitment to protecting its own data and that of its customers and suppliers.  Essentials PLUS encompasses a far greater number of Cyber assessments, thereby providing us with a better understanding of our organisation’s levels of Cyber risk, ensuring it is kept to a minimum for the Practice and our customers.”

Huge congratulations to Catherine Cosgrove, who has recently achieved her RIAS Conservation Accreditation.

Catherine joined Austin-Smith:Lord in 2006 and became and Associate in 2015. Her recent projects include the restoration of the Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, and the Confucius Institute for the University of Strathclyde.

David Millar, Head of Conservation at Austin-Smith:Lord said: “I am delighted to say that Austin-Smith:Lord has yet another RIAS Conservation Accredited Architect, namely Catherine Cosgrove, who obtained her certificate from the RIAS in late February. She has worked on some very high status listed buildings in the UK and her careful attention to detailing and technical understanding of traditional construction are reflected in this award. She continues to be a key member of our ever growing Conservation Team across the practice, as well as Sustainability Champion across our five studios.”

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You can view our conservation projects here

You can view Catherine’s web page here

Glasgow city centre is vital to the economic, social, environmental, cultural and civic health of the city region, and Scotland. Optimising the city centre’s future performance is pivotal if we are to benefit from the great assets Glasgow has including incredible architecture and heritage; renowned reputation for innovation, enterprise and creativity; immense knowledge capital; an urban riverfront and, of course, Glaswegians.

A multi-disciplinary team led by Glasgow-based architecture practice, Austin-Smith:Lord, working in collaboration with leading international architects and urbanists, MVRDV, were appointed by Glasgow City Council to develop regeneration frameworks for four of the nine districts identified in the City Centre Strategy.

Glasgow City Council have recently published the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework (DRF) for public consultation  between 9 February and 5 April 2019 offering all Glaswegians an opportunity to help shape the plans, after which the final Broomielaw DRF and Action Plan will be produced. The DRF area encompasses Broomielaw, parts of Anderston and the northern portion of Tradeston.

Having canvassed the opinion of thousands of Glaswegians bold plans for (Y)our City Centre are emerging. Local resident, business, civic and cultural communities, developers, investors and visitors to the city were invited to share ideas and shape a dynamic vision of what should go where and why.

Analysis and evidence confirmed the lack of activity along the city centre riverfront, severance caused by the motorway and excessively wide roads, a lack of quality green public space, too few people living in the city centre, an under-performing urban mobility network and a strong desire to make the changes necessary and capitalise on committed investment including City Deal funded projects such as the ‘Avenues’ streetscape improvement projects.

The plans include a proposal for a world-class River Park along both banks of the Clyde; an examination of the benefits and negative impacts of the M8 motorway on the area; establishing a vibrant mixed-use riverfront community featuring high-quality contemporary design; creating new public and green spaces; and instilling a collaborative approach to attracting investment and funding.

Seven strategic themes have been developed for the Broomielaw DRF and associated draft action plan:

• (Y)our River Park: this is a proposal to create a world-class linear public space along both banks of the River Clyde. This continuous urban park would transform the river, kick-start development and become a key destination and attraction in the city centre. The aim is to create a quality urban park amenity characterised by water, green and public spaces activated by events and play spaces, recreation and cultural activity for all ages in all seasons, all weather, all day, for all Glaswegians and visitors;

• (Y)our Urbanised M8: this aims to maintain the benefits of an urban motorway while reducing its negative impacts. Many consultees have highlighted the convenience and connectivity benefits of the motorway, however the majority of consultees recognised its negative impact – separating neighbourhoods, creating a physical barrier between the city centre, and its West End and North, and exacerbating the area’s pollution and traffic congestion. Anderston Cross, for instance, is currently an unpleasant experience for pedestrians and cyclists, but it should be a great gateway to the city centre.

• (Y)our Great Streets and Spaces: this theme seeks to respond to the car-dominated character of the district, with excessive spaces for motorised vehicles and address the shortage of quality green and public spaces. Broken connections need to be restored throughout the district and investment in public spaces and the physical environment is essential.

• (Y)our Great Buildings: this theme promotes actions to respect Glasgow’s historic built heritage with the highest quality contemporary design. Clear guidance about the desired qualities of new design will assist development, and the DRF promotes the development of character-specific areas with an emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist accessibility.

• (Y)our Updated Mobility: this incorporates proposals to enhance the city centre’s public transport and active travel networks to create a sustainable, walkable city, and will include a review of the City Centre Transport Strategy in the context of the DRF objectives and the recommendations of the Glasgow Connectivity Commission;

• (Y)our Vibrant Broomielaw: this theme proposes the establishment of a lively, attractive mixed-use riverfront district and a significant uplift in the residential population so that the area becomes more lively, with more convivial night-time economy, leading to more viable amenities and a sustainable, walkable and activated district;

• (Y)our Transforming Broomielaw: this focuses on the creation of agile policies and shared objectives to attract investment, secure funding and foster collaborative working in the district. Transforming this district cannot however be delivered by the council alone; this must be a truly collaborative partnership between all stakeholders. Despite the lack of public ownership, GCC confirm that they will look to work with partners to develop masterplan strategies for both sides of the river.

The Broomielaw DRF will become Supplementary Planning Guidance once it and the City Centre Strategic Development Framework is approved by the council. This will allow it to have the status of a material consideration, and it will be referenced and used to make development decisions in the district.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “These ambitious plans will help the council and our partners to bring Broomielaw to its full potential and allow the area to take its proper place in the life of the city. This is a part of Glasgow that has enormous scope to influence the future development of the city centre and the river corridor, so please take the opportunity to help shape the final plans by taking part in the consultation on the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework.”

Graham Ross, Project Partner at Austin-Smith:Lord, said, “It has been a real honour to progress the (Y)our City Centre project. We’ve been immensely grateful for the passion, energy and ideas everyone who participated in helping shape the proposed regeneration framework for Broomielaw.

Broomielaw’s regeneration is long overdue. If Glasgow city centre is to fulfil its potential in the future Broomielaw has a huge part to play. Broomielaw should be one of Glasgow’s signature 21st century urban destinations; a revitalised, mixed-use waterfront districts that secures Glasgow’s position as a leading European city.

Revitalising the River Clyde and ensuring Glasgow city centre thrives are projects of national importance. Broomielaw’s renaissance should supercharge the city region’s inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, cultural opportunities and city centre living for Glaswegians new and old.

Broomielaw is highly accessible with excellent connections become a clean, green, walkable city centre district adjacent to the Scottish Event Campus. Broomielaw should redefine Glasgow city centre’s relationship to the Clyde becoming the centrepiece of a great city centre River Park with a beautiful and continuous riverside promenade.

We look forward to finalising the plans for the Broomielaw DRF in response to the ongoing public consultation.”

 Winy Maas of MVRDV, said “It has been a great privilege and big responsibility to work on the transformation of Glasgow’s heart because it touches people’s lives and the identity of their city. For this reason we have collaborated with Glaswegians on the (Y)our City Centre project. Glasgow has an amazing historical inner city that can be transformed into vibrant, unique neighbourhoods. Glasgow has a strong character and that should be used, preserved and strengthened through fantastic new developments. The River Clyde should become the best place in Glasgow’s city centre to create some wonderful, vibrant public outdoor space; creating an amazing River Park for all.”

The draft Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework can be found at: https://www.glasgowcitycentrestrategy.com/broomielaw-district-regeneration-framework-public-consultation.htm.

The public consultation, which will take the form of an online survey, or comments by email or post, can be found at the city council’s Consultation Hub at: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17317 from 8 February.

We are delighted to be selected by EHDC – RegenCo for inclusion on their Suppliers Framework to provide Architectural Services.

EHDC -RegenCo is a public sector based consultancy and advisory service helping public and private sector partners accelerate the delivery of large scale regeneration projects and maximize financial and social returns. Part of East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), it is the first local authority team to be appointed to the Homes England Multidisciplinary Framework.

RegenCo, alongside 19 other housing specialists, have been appointed to the Homes England’s new Multidisciplinary Framework, which will run from 2019 – 2023 to provide technical advice, services and design input to help Homes England prepare brownfield and surplus public sector land for residential development. This will help increase the pace, scale and quality of development and accelerate delivery of new homes in areas of greatest demand.

The Framework, which was launched on 2 February, 2019, will also be available to other public sector bodies and will form part of the suite of Homes England Frameworks.

Austin-Smith:Lord’s inclusion on the framework, as part of the EHDC- RegenCo supply chain, reflects our own expanding portfolio of housing-led regeneration projects and our approach to mixed use urban regeneration.

Austin-Smith:Lord is delighted to be supporting the London Stand at MIPIM 2019, the world’s leading property market, being held in Cannes from 12-15 March. 

Tope Balogun, Associate at Austin-Smith:Lord, said “Austin-Smith:Lord is looking forward to joining the London Club at MIPIM 2019. We are particularly delighted that this year’s attendance coincides with our 70^th anniversary; a celebrated history with humble beginnings in London. Our recent work in London includes the restoration of the Grade I listed Pagoda at Kew Gardens and ongoing collaboration with Diller Scofidio+Renfro on the V&A East Collection & Research Centre. We are also at the early stages of very exciting regeneration schemes.

“London at MIPIM provides a great opportunity to reinforce relationships with our existing collaborators, meet new contacts, discuss potential opportunities, share best practice and be part of the debate in shaping the future of this exciting city.”

If you would like to meet up with the Austin-Smith:Lord team at MIPIM please get in touch with:

Martin Roe, Partner
Martin.Roe@austinsmithlord.com
+44 (0)7879 402639

 

Graham Ross, Partner
Graham.Ross@austinsmithlord.com
+44 (0) 7795 608575

 

Tope Balogun, Associate
Tope Balogun@austinsmithlord.com
+44 (0) 7795 445032

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

To see the events planned at the MIPIM London Stand, click here.