It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Inette Austin-Smith, whom along with her husband Mike, was one of the founding Partners of Austin-Smith:Lord.  Until recent health prevented it, Inette kept in close contact with the Practice, as she has across many generations of the Partnership, and retained a keen interest in our work and in architecture generally. 

Inette truly was a remarkable lady and so very highly thought of not only over the many generations of the Partnership but within the wider architectural community. 

The current Partners and all at Austin-Smith:Lord would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Inette’s family and friends. 

A new low carbon teaching building designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, which was the first in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating under the BREEAM (2014) design and construction assessment process, has been awarded a prestigious Green Gown Award. These awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives that are being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK and Ireland.

The South Lanarkshire College Low Carbon Teaching Building was successful in the Built Environment category with Judges commenting: “It has inspired students and other users to adopt more sustainable behaviours and approaches, reflecting the College’s philosophy to “mainstream sustainability”.

In addition to Solar PVs, an energy-efficient external envelope, and a ground source heat pump, innovative features include solar chimneys; recycled paper insulation; re-used cycle racks from the Commonwealth Games and an integrated bicycle repair station.

This is a step change in design to produce a low-energy, low-carbon, low-resource building, informed by helpful lessons learned from the College’s own award-winning, low-energy, low-carbon house initiative.”

Meanwhile, pupils have started to occupy a new £30 million secondary school in Carmarthenshire designed by the firm which has been rated BREEAM excellent at design stage.

The Bro Dinefwr school at Ffairfach near Llandeilo will cater for 1,200 pupils in the area, including a 200-pupil sixth form and a 30-place specialist provision for children with additional learning needs. It was delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools programme.

Austin-Smith:Lord Partner, Iain Wylie commented: “These education projects reflect the integrated approach to sustainability that we apply to all our work across different sectors of the built environment. With each new project, we develop our knowledge and expertise in passive sustainable design, embracing and incorporating the latest technologies, where appropriate.”

Austin-Smith:Lord, in collaboration with Dutch architecture and planning practice MVRDV, has organised a lecture by MVRDV’s Winy Maas in Glasgow on Tuesday 7th February 2016 from 6pm-8.30pm.

MVRDV is the Dutch architecture and planning practice involved in the transformation of Glasgow city centre. But who are these Dutch architects and what is their philosophy?

MVRDV’s founding partner Winy Maas will explain the working methods and scope of the practice driven by the faith in technologic innovation and the warnings of the Club of Rome regarding the end of resources. How to create an intimate city, how to build a boutique made of glass bricks, how to stack Dutch landscapes and how to advance research in a nano-tech that might one day replace concrete as a construction material. In-between, parallels are drawn with Glasgow and its current development.

This lecture will take place in one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the city: The Glasgow City Free Church on St. Vincent Street. The church is an Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson masterpiece. Built in 1859 it is widely regarded as one of the finest neo-Classical churches in the world. Austin-Smith:Lord’s Glasgow studio is located on St Vincent Street, directly opposite the church.

On the night we would invite attendees to make a donation to the Glasgow City Free Church, to cover their costs for hosting the event and for the upkeep of the famous church.

Prof. Winy Maas’s lecture will commence at 18.30.

REGISTER HERE

MVRDV and Austin-Smith:Lord, supported by a multidisciplinary team, have recently been commissioned by Glasgow City Council to develop with stakeholders and local communities, Regeneration Frameworks for four districts within the City Centre. Entitled (Y)our City Centre this project is progressing throughout 2017. This exciting opportunity will focus on districts of Broomielaw, Blythswood, St Enoch and Central as detailed in the Glasgow City Centre Strategy and Action Plan 2014-2019. Further information is available at www.yourcitycentre.com

Austin-Smith:Lord has been appointed to design two new buildings for the award-winning Bridgwater & Taunton College in Somerset, as part of the College’s strategy to deliver world class facilities and curricula to address the need for higher level skills regionally, nationally and internationally.

One of the new buildings will form the southern hub of the Government’s flagship National College for Nuclear (NCfN), which was announced earlier this year and is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with additional finance coming from the Heart of the South West LEP.

Due to open in November 2017, the NCfN building will revolutionise the way in which higher level professional and technical training for the nuclear sector is delivered, utilising innovative technology and virtual reality simulators to replicate a nuclear working environment, whether in nuclear new build/operation/decommissioning, defence or medicine.

Austin-Smith:Lord has also designed the College’s Advanced Engineering Centre (currently under construction), which is based at its Bridgwater Centre and planned for completion in the summer of 2017. The number of engineering students at the College has seen a five-fold increase in the past five years, and it is now widely recognised as a centre of excellence for the sector, with clients that include EDF Energy, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence.

Both facilities will be set up with industry-standard equipment and resources to replicate, as far as possible, a ‘live’ working environment. By enabling learners to see and understand workplace safety, cultures and behaviours alongside job-specific skills, the College is able to deliver work-ready graduates who are fully inducted in the requirements of a licensed site and fully understand the expectations of the world of work.

Lead architect, Rob Firman of Austin-Smith:Lord commented: “This has been an exciting and innovative project. The NCfN is destined to play a critical part in the Government’s workforce strategy for nuclear, and as such does not conform to traditional educational designs, which have changed little for centuries. With wi-fi throughout, and advanced simulator technology, this College will completely transform the way in which professional and technical training is delivered.”

Our appointment follows our recent completion of the College’s Performing Arts Centre, Agriculture Innovation Centre and Biosecurity Centre.

A regeneration project, designed by Austin-Smith:Lord on behalf of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council, to enhance Saltcoats Town Centre, North Ayrshire, and help boost the town’s economy is now underway.

Austin-Smith:Lord is leading the design team on the Saltcoats Town Centre Public Realm project which will create a new, improved public realm on Countess Street, the strategic artery which links the town’s main railway station on Vernon Street with a key retail area on Dockhead Street.

As well as linking the railway station, retail area and seafront, the enhancements to this ‘gateway’ street will create an improved environment for the Town Hall.

A feature of Countess Street since the 1890’s, the Town Hall reopened in early 2016 as a vibrant new community and civic hub following a £3.7m redevelopment.

The Saltcoats Town Centre Public Realm project is part of the Saltcoats Town Regeneration Plan, which is, in turn, part of the visionary masterplan for the five towns making up the Irvine Bay area.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, local member for the Saltcoats and Stevenston ward and Cabinet Member for Place, said: “These public realm works mark another major milestone in a vitally-important regeneration project for the town of Saltcoats.

“The town hall and Countess Street are central to the history of the town, and their revival is something the local community has long wished to see.

“It’s been wonderful to witness the heart of the town being returned to its former glory – the town hall is once again bustling with activity and has quickly become a popular and stunning wedding venue.

“The new public realm works on Countess Street will enhance the environment outside the town hall and we all look forward to seeing these improvements progressing.”

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, added: “We are delighted this project is now underway. This kind of public realm work brings genuine improvements and significant opportunities, as evidenced by the positive impact of work in both Kilwinning and Irvine.  Irvine Bay continues to work with its partners to deliver a strong and lasting legacy of improved physical infrastructure for the five towns, along with job creation and increased business opportunities.”

Siobhan Vernon, Associate at Austin-Smith:Lord, concluded: “We are proud to be working with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council on creating this high quality public realm which will help animate Saltcoats town centre to the benefit of local citizens, businesses and visitors now and into the future.”

The new convivial urban space which will feature high quality public realm, streetscape and lighting improvements, will encourage community and civic activity, support the increased footfall to the newly refurbished Town Hall and create an attractive setting for weddings and other events set within the revitalised building.

The project, which was informed by a local consultation, will also benefit the retail, office, leisure and residential inhabitants of Countess Street.

Building upon the success of the initial phase of regeneration activity associated with the Town Hall and the refurbishment of the old station building on Vernon Street, the project will take approximately 26 weeks to construct and is expected to complete in Spring 2017.

The full team includes:

Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Harley Haddow
Civil & Structural Engineers: Harley Haddow
Cost Consultant: Neilson Partnership
Transport Consultant: Transport Planning Ltd
Art Strategy: WaveParticle
Main Contractor: Land Engineering

The (Y)our Broomielaw Emerging Ideas Stakeholder Event 02 will take place on 24th November 2016, and anyone with an interest in the Broomielaw area of Glasgow is invited to come along.

The event forms part of the work we are carrying out (along with a team including MVRDV and Space Syntax) to design District Regeneration Frameworks for four districts of Glasgow City Centre. The Regeneration Frameworks will look to create a clear urban structure to realise Glasgow’s economic, cultural and social potential.

The Emerging Ideas Stakeholder Event 02 on 24 November 2016 will allow you to review initial ideas, help refine proposals and inform a prioritised action plan for a new Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework. It follows on from Event 01 in October which helped set the project agenda.

Drop in to the Renfrew Ferry at any time from 11:00am till 21:00pm on Thursday 24 November to share your ideas and help shape the regeneration of (Y)our Broomielaw over the next 10 years. Come along to presentations and workshops at 2:00pm and 6.30pm to review and refine the Emerging Ideas. Sign up for the workshops at the link below.

https://www.glasgowcitycentrestrategy.com/your-broomielaw-emerging-ideas-stakeholder-event-02.htm

Hundreds of people took to the streets to celebrate the reopening of the much loved, B listed Gaiety in Ayr after a £2.4 million renovation and remodeling project led by Austin-Smith:Lord’s conservation team on behalf of the Ayr Gaiety Partnership concluded.

Austin-Smith:Lord delivered both the architecture and interior design of the refurbishment of The Gaiety, which is one of Scotland’s oldest theatres.

The £2.4 million makeover backed by Creative Scotland, South Ayrshire Council and Heritage Lottery Fund saw the historic Main Auditorium, which dates back to 1902, restored and transformed into a fully modernised theatre, retaining all its iconic features.

With new seating and configurations the theatre is now more accessible than ever with an increased number of wheelchair spaces available throughout the Stalls section and improved sightlines.

In addition to investment in new lighting and sound equipment, a brand-new stage has been installed and will play host to national and international performers in the coming months.

Work also included upgrading of the ticket sales area and restyling of the entrance and foyer and remodelling of the kitchen and additional back of house facilities.

As part of The Gaiety’s mission to become ‘the best wee Green Theatre in Scotland’ the Partnership also invested in a new ventilation and heating system to dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

The project to restore the theatre to her former glory took eight years of planning and raising funds, in which time the Partnership garnered national support from a wide range of funders, individuals and actors alike.

Gaiety Chief Executive Jeremy Wyatt said: “Over eight years ago, Ayr Gaiety Partnership dreamt about this day. I am overwhelmed and delighted by the response we’ve received from our local and national partners and members of the community who continue to support us as we step into our next chapter”

George Reynolds, Director at Austin-Smith:Lord, added: “We are thrilled and honoured to have played a role in the revitalisation of Ayrshire’s crown jewel. It’s wonderful to see the Grand Old Lady lift the curtain on her next chapter and we look forward to seeing her continue to engage and entertain audiences of all ages for many more years to come.”

The full team includes:

Client:  Ayr Gaiety Partnership
Main Contractor:  Worksmart Contracts
Interior Design Consultant:  Julia Grant
Structural Engineer:  Grossart Associates
M&E Engineers:  Irons Foulner Consulting
Quantity Surveyor:  Armour Construction Consultants
CDM/Principal Designer Adviser:  Armour Construction Consultants

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, today (29 August) launched the next stage of the 10-year regeneration strategy for Glasgow city centre.

This next stage of the regeneration – the Glasgow City Centre Districts Regeneration Framework – will focus on four of the city centre’s nine districts: Broomielaw, Blythswood, Central and St. Enoch. This is the first time that stakeholders in these districts have had the collective opportunity to put forward their aspirations for regeneration and physical change.

Councillor McAveety was joined at the launch by Winy Mass, founding partner and director at MVRDV, a world-leading architectural and design firm; Graham Ross, a partner at Austin-Smith:Lord; and members of business, civic, community, economic, hotel, housing, retail, investment and development organisations.

MVRDV and Austin-Smith:Lord will work with Glasgow City Council and city stakeholders and partners to deliver the Regeneration Frameworks collaborating as part of a multi-disciplinary team with an integrated approach to architecture; connectivity; delivery; economics; engineering; finance; landscape; planning; sustainability and urban design.

The first stage in the regeneration of the city centre was carried out in 2015 for the Sauchiehall and Garnethill District Regeneration Framework. After the public consultation with local stakeholders, key recommendations for the regeneration of that district include a new cycle and pedestrian bridge as well as a new urban park over part of the M8 near Charing Cross.

Other recommendations focused on attracting and improving city living, encouraging better connectivity as well as harnessing local identity and vibrancy. Alongside these recommendations, the City Deal project will create a renewed Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose bringing with it a tree lined “Avenue”.

Consultation with local stakeholders in the Broomielaw, Blythswood, Central and St. Enoch districts – to establish what all those with an interest want for them – will also take place before recommendations are made, with all four frameworks to be completed by 2019. The recommendations will be made on the strengths and opportunities unique to each of these districts: for example, the Broomielaw and St Enoch districts’ proximity to the river Clyde and the SSE Hydro and SECC complex present potential opportunities.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow City Region City Cabinet, said: “The future of Glasgow city centre is of huge important to so many of us as this area is without doubt the economic powerhouse of Scotland. This next stage of the regeneration framework for the city centre will look at four districts that play a significant role in our economic and cultural life, to identify and support and then develop the assets they have in new and innovative ways to ensure Glasgow continues to grow.  There will be an investment of £115million in the city centre from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and our engagement with the stakeholders of these areas will help decide how this investment is delivered.  At the end of this process, we can look forward to a city centre that has changed for the better to become an even more attractive place in which to live, work, study, invest and visit.”

Winy Mass, Founding Partner and Director at MVRDV, said: “It is both an incredible pleasure and a great 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 collaborate with the Glaswegians on their city. The project is titled (Y)OUR CITY CENTRE and it is an overall plan made of many elements ranging from larger scale interventions concerning liveability, the infrastructure, the meaning of the river; to the small scale in which bottom-up initiatives, street furniture and the development of small plots is considered. The outcome will be presented to the citizens for an open dialogue about the future of Glasgow.”

Graham Ross, Office Principal of Austin-Smith:Lord’s Glasgow studio, said: “We’re delighted to launch the next step in the preparation of the Regeneration Frameworks for Broomielaw, St. Enoch, Central and Blythswood. We’re starting a conversation with Glaswegians about their city centre; looking to work collaboratively and creatively to imagine how these Districts can be in the future. We’re keen to discuss (Y)OUR CITY CENTRE ideas. These can be shared at forthcoming on-street events and interactive workshops in the Districts, on a dedicated website, online questionnaire and via social media.”

Key priorities for the regeneration of the city centre include an improved environment, driven by the creation of Avenues to connect between and throughout districts, promoting cycling and walking; economic growth; development of vacant sites; and attracting investment to ensure Glasgow maintains its place as a top European investment location. The framework will take an integrated approach to the following issues: architecture; connectivity; delivery; economics; engineering; finance; landscape; planning; sustainability and urban design.

A dedicated website for this next stage of the city centre strategy has been established at www.yourcitycentre.com and more information on the regeneration of Glasgow City Centre is available at: https://www.glasgowcitycentrestrategy.com/news-from-the-city-centre-team.

The team also includes Douglas Wheeler Associates, WAVEparticle, Ryden, Urban Tide, Arup, Studio Grams and Gardiner + Theobald.

Image copyright: Glasgow City Council

This week tenants move into a new apartment building on the banks of the River Taff, which has added a stunning feature to the riverside vista.

Situated behind the Hamadryad Centre, on the edge of Hamadryad Park, the new building, which was commissioned by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), comprises 55 one and two bedroom apartments over four and six storeys.

The land on which the apartments are built had lain undeveloped for many years, as a succession of developers failed to unlock this challenging site, which called for a development that would do justice to its prominent position on the River Taff corridor, with panoramic views towards Cardiff Bay and the Bristol Channel and back towards Cardiff City Centre.

Lead architect Tope Balogun of Austin-Smith:Lord commented: “In collaboration with CCHA and Cardiff Council we worked hard to find creative solutions that delivered a high quality of design within a challenging budget.

“I believe that what we have achieved is a building that not only offers residents a high standard of accommodation, with spectacular outward views, but also contributes positively to the wider built environment and enhances its special setting.

“The design also took into account the development’s relationship to the existing community and environment, including a former Victorian hospital which houses a health facility and groupings of mature trees which were retained.

“The resulting design offers some of the most desirable apartments within Cardiff Bay.”

An innovative lightweight steel frame was used by construction contractors, Morganstone, which reduced construction time, meaning that the building was completed two months ahead of schedule.

This has allowed CCHA to show the apartments to prospective tenants earlier than anticipated with the first new residents getting the key to their new homes this week.

Chief Executive of CCHA, Kevin Protheroe said: “CCHA’s vision is ‘providing homes, regenerating communities’, and developing new affordable housing is a key way in which we achieve this. Our Hamadryad development has created 55 very desirable apartments with fantastic views across the city, which the new tenants are thrilled with.”

The sod cutting ceremony took place on 17^th August for a new, bespoke centre commissioned by leading charity Deafblind Scotland. The centre, located in Lenzie, was designed by Austin-Smith:Lord for Clark Contracts.

The 7,500 square foot building will be a Centre of Excellence for deafblind people with a training and development centre, a daily resource for more than 300 deafblind people in the Glasgow area, and a further resource for the 2,700 people across Scotland who are severely dual sensory impaired.

Called ‘The Field of Dreams’, the £1.5m project will offer deafblind people more opportunities to learn, to enjoy a range of subjects, and to become more familiar with IT and accessing the internet and emails, with the help of specially adapted technology and equipment.

Ruth Dorman, Chief Executive, Deafblind Scotland  said “Building our ‘field of dreams’ is the culmination of nearly a decade of fundraising, design debating and all round commitment from the board of trustees, Deafblind members and staff. I am delighted to be working with all concerned to realise this dream.”

Michael Scanlan, Director, Clark Contracts, said: “It is a great honour to be selected to deliver such a vital facility that will help improve the lives of so many deserving people. We were very happy to work with Deafblind Scotland to value engineer the project and to find a way of delivering this important building within the charity’s budget, for a cost that does not compromise on quality.”

Andrew McCafferty, Director of Austin-Smith:Lord said: “We are absolutely delighted to be assisting Clark Contracts and leading the design of  Deafblind Scotland’s new Learning & Resource Centre, creating a socially inclusive building within the local community and promoting access for all.”