Scottish building news 2024, Architecture photos, Scotland property images, Architects design links

Scottish Architecture News

New Architecture Developments + Buildings in Scotland – Built Environment + Architects Updates

post updated 16 November 2024

12 November 2024

Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK
Design: AtkinsRéalis

aerial photo courtesy of architects office
Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow masterplan news: design and engineering consultant AtkinsRéalis appointed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to develop a master plan for Scotland’s busiest and biggest bus station to improve transport links for the city and wider region
Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan

1 October 2024

Homes for Scotland responds to Ministerial Statement on “Delivering the Homes that Scotland Needs”

Sector body Homes for Scotland, which represents organisations together delivering the majority of new homes of all tenures, has responded to this afternoon’s statement in the Scottish Parliament by the Minister for Housing on “Delivering the Homes that Scotland Needs”. Director of Policy Fionna Kell said:

“We of course acknowledge the financial pressures facing the Scottish Government and are encouraged by a recent change of tone and more positive engagement but it is time to stop pointing to Brexit, inflation and Westminster as the root causes of the housing emergency, with policy failures stemming over decades. Given the scale and severity of the current situation, those in need of a new home deserve better than that.

“These issues have clearly been important, but they are nowhere near as pressing as the challenges posed by an underfunded and under-resourced planning system which takes over 62 weeks to process a major housing application or the overall policy and regulatory environment which currently serves to hamper the delivery of new homes rather than promote them. Both of these are entirely within the control of the Scottish Government and would clearly meet the objective that the Deputy First Minister set out at our conference last month, namely the need to identify affordable actions that can make the biggest impact.

“Speak to any home builder and they will tell you that the planning and consenting processes are the biggest inhibitors to all-tenure housing delivery. Add to this the cumulative impact of new and proposed regulation which is now estimated to be adding c£30k in additional costs to the construction of a new home and it’s clear to see the challenges involved in housing delivery.

“These two areas are completely within the control of the Scottish Government which could act immediately to make the change that is required to encourage investment and boost certainty and confidence should it wish. We’re still waiting on the blue lights to be turned on.”

10 September 2024
Online hub launches for Galloway National Park proposal
A dedicated online hub has been set up to share news, information and a space for conversation, as residents and communities in Galloway and beyond debate the Scottish Government’s proposed national park status for the area:
Dumfries & Galloway Buildings

24 August 2024
Dundee FC Stadium Building Design Video + Images

image : Holmes Miller
Dundee FC Stadium Camperdown Design
Architects Holmes Miller have created a new video – which has just been released by Dundee FC – that brings to life plans for the football club’s new stadium. Holmes Miller has been working with the Club, LJRH, and wider team of consultants to shape up the proposals in parallel with a Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) application.

22 August 202
Broch of Gurness, Orkney, northern Scotland

photo © Isabelle Lomholt
Scottish Brochs Buildings
The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village on the northeast coast of Mainland Orkney in Scotland overlooking Eynhallow Sound, about 15 miles north-west of Kirkwall. It once housed a substantial community.

19 August 2024
Celebrating 20 Years of the Scottish Parliament Building: A Landmark Anniversary

photo © Keith Hunter
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Scottish Parliament Building, a key backdrop of British politics, winner of the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize and considered by Rafael Moneo as one of the most important works of Spanish Architecture. Designed by the visionary EMBT Architects in collaboration with RMJM, the building stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of contemporary architecture, emerging from the Edinburgh landscape:
Scottish Parliament

15 August 2024
Radical retrofit of Calton Square, Edinburgh
Design: Sheppard Robson architects

image courtesy of Not Just Yellow
Calton Square Edinburgh office building renewal
Retaining 88% of the existing structural frame, the major refurbishment seeks to create a new identity for the building, through reconfiguration and enhancements, that exemplifies sustainable and wellness-centred design. Sheppard Robson has submitted plans for the significant repositioning of Calton Square, a landmark office building in Edinburgh’s city centre.

11 July 2024
Renfrew Bridge – New River Clyde Crossing
Architect: Kettle Collective

photo © PLP, courtesy Renfrewshire Council
Renfrew Bridge

8 July 2024

Homes for Scotland response to Chancellor’s speech on housing and planning

Responding to the speech given by the Chancellor today, Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“It is very encouraging to see the new UK government placing a major emphasis on housing delivery and the planning system, with the new Chancellor making announcements on these within 72 hours. But with both of these matters devolved, will the Scottish Government listen to those who are saying unequivocally “it’s not working for us” and recalibrate to change the alarming downwards trajectory on housing numbers?

Will it bravely acknowledge that the root causes lie not only in UK capital budgets but in an underinvestment in our planning regime and a regulatory environment that fails to recognise the unintended consequences of policies created with poor understanding of the costs, the impacts on consumers and, critically, on those organisations, both private and public who build the much-needed homes of all tenures that we require?

“With another 18 months before the Scottish 2026 elections, there IS time for impactful change. Together with other stakeholders, we have set out a clear action plan of what needs to happen. With collaboration, strong leadership, evidenced and informed policy making and measured consultations and collaboration, we can reverse the year-on-year decline in housing numbers (latest figures show significant falls in both starts and completions at 15% and 17% respectively) and address the shortfall of more than 100,000 homes that has accumulated since 2008.”

3 Jul 2024
Paisley Central Library – Scottish Design Awards News
Paisley Central Library

28 June 2024
HM Prison and Young Offender Institution, Stirling, central Scotland
Architects: Holmes Miller

photo : Chris Humphreys
HM Prison and Young Offender Institution, Stirling

24 June 2024

Trustees for the Scottish Historic Building Trust

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sustainable development of Scotland’s historic buildings. Our mission is to safeguard architecturally and culturally significant buildings for future generations while ensuring they contribute to the vibrant life of our communities.

Our team has specialist skills in historic building preservation, fundraising, project management and property management. We also bring expertise in event management, building interpretation and in delivering educational programmes. So far, we have restored over 30 buildings and raised more than £30 million.

Following a recent review, we are seeking to appoint four additional trustees to join our strong and committed board. We are particularly interested in inspirational and dynamic applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:

Strategy development and leadership
Finance

Heritage conservation
Marketing
Fundraising

Property development
Asset management

By joining SHBT as a Trustee, you’ll have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Scotland’s historic landscape. Your professional expertise and passion for our built heritage will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organisation and the preservation of Scotland’s history.

Trustees serve a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further three years. Successful applicants will be expected to attend four meetings a year, either at one of our own buildings or another site of interest and will have over-arching statutory duties in respect of governance.

For more information on the work of SHBT please visit our website at www.shbt.org.uk. To apply, please send a summary CV together with a covering letter outlining how you will contribute to the Board to maggie.wright@mwa.co

Registered Charity number No. SC034507

Scottish Architecture News April – May 2024 – latest additions to this page, arranged chronologically:

20 May 2024

Homes For Scotland Announces Annual Award Winners

With a focus on how its members are meeting the housing needs of everyone living (or who wishes to live) in Scotland, the winners of this year’s Homes for Scotland (HFS) awards have been announced.

The annual event, which was attended by over 900 senior representatives from across the home building sector in Edinburgh on Friday 17 May, was hosted by comedian, podcaster and writer Jen Brister.

Three of Scotland’s home builders took headline Home Builder of the Year awards on the day, with winners in six additional categories also announced, including a special recognition for McTaggart Construction’s Managing Director Janice Russell for outstanding leadership in home building.

CALA Homes was announced as large Home Builder of the Year for a second year running, with previous winners Whiteburn Projects awarded top SME and Kingdom Housing Association crowned Home Builder of the Year (Affordable Housing Provider).

The headline awards were decided by an independent judging panel following site visits and senior management interviews, with the panel probing on areas such as company ethos and approach, innovation and development, customer satisfaction, health and safety indicators and the way in which the organisation supports the key objective of positioning home building as a force for good.

Chair of the independent judging panel David Knight, former Managing Director at Avant Homes, said:

“With this representing my final year in tenure as Chair, I have been honoured to be a part of the judging process for what I believe are the most robust awards in their field, with 2024 representing another high calibre of entrants.

“This year focused on how Homes for Scotland (HFS) members are meeting the housing needs of everyone living (or who wishes to live) in Scotland and the judges kept this at the forefront of their minds throughout a rigorous judging process. We again had the honour of visiting all shortlisted sites and attending interviews with senior management representatives where we witnessed the high standards and passion of those who bring these wide-ranging developments, processes and practices to life.

“On behalf of the 2024 judging panel, I wish to acknowledge the efforts of all those who entered this year’s programme and congratulate those shortlisted and taking home awards.”

A full list of winners can be accessed here.

13 May 2024

National Monument of Scotland Reimagined

The UK is home to many famous and historic buildings, but what if alternative design plans for these structures had triumphed over what we see today?

One such reimagined landmark is The National Monument of Scotland in Edinburgh. Situated atop Calton Hill, the National Monument of Scotland is a memorial to those who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 to 1815.

Before the funding troubles, there were two architectural plans with the alternative Pantheon-style church structure designed by Archibald Elliot first chosen to be the final design. It’s now been reimagined in this grander, dome-style:

National Monument Edinburgh

4 April 2024

Work of land art regeneration in Dumfriesshire recognised as nationally important

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today added Crawick Multiverse to the inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.

The site was nominated to be considered for designation by a member of the public as part of HES’s ‘Designed Landscapes of the Recent Past’ project, an initiative to identify and champion Scotland’s remarkable modern gardens and designed landscapes:

Crawick Multiverse land art installation, Scotland

Scottish Architecture Designs – chronological list

Scottish Architecture News March 2024 – latest additions to this page, arranged chronologically:

29 March 2024

Simplifying the planning process

Updating permitted development rights in response to cost and climate challenges.

New measures to simplify the planning process for zero and low carbon technologies will help homeowners and businesses save money and reduce their emissions.

Permitted development rights grant permission for certain developments through legislation, meaning they can be undertaken without a planning application. They remove the costs associated with submitting applications and reduce administrative burdens on planning authorities. Legislation that will further update these rights has now been laid before parliament following a consultation last year.

People who live in conservation areas, including those in cities, will be able to more easily alter or replace their windows to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. They will also be able to install solar panels on certain parts of their property without a planning application for the first time.

Limits on the power output of panels on non-domestic buildings will be removed, allowing business owners to install more of them without needing to apply for planning permission. Businesses with solar canopies in their carparks will be able to use the energy they generate for purposes such as providing energy for buildings, in addition to powering electric vehicle chargers.

Planning Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:
“The Scottish Government wants to make it easier and cheaper for homeowners and businesses to respond to the challenges posed by the cost of living and climate crises, including by reforming how the planning system works.

“That was the focus of the most recent phase of our ongoing review of permitted development rights, and the package of measures brought forward reflects the responses to our public consultation and constructive engagement with partners.

“Streamlining the planning process for zero and low carbon technologies is also consistent with the strong climate focus in the National Planning Framework 4, which was adopted last year. People will save money and the environment will benefit if we make it easier to install renewable energy equipment on homes and business properties.”

Scotland Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Andrew McRae said:
“We’re delighted to see the introduction of this legislation, reflecting the campaigning FSB and others have been doing on the issue for some time. Small businesses are very much aware of the role they have to play in tackling the climate emergency. At a time when the cost of doing business crisis is making it harder for businesses to stay afloat, measures to reduce energy costs will come as a great help for smaller firms.”

Background

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024

The statutory instrument was laid in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 28 March 2024. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, the changes are expected to come into effect on Friday 24 May 2024.

Permitted Development Rights review – phase 3: consultation analysis

26 March 2024
Scottish Government Can No Longer Ignore Housing Crisis As Starts Plummet By 24 Per Cent

Scotland’s population and home building sector deserve better than same old responses week after fourth local authority declares housing emergency

New statistics published today reflect Scotland’s dire housing situation, with both completions and starts across all sectors falling significantly by 11 per cent and 24 per cent respectively in the year end to December 2023.

The figures illustrate a crisis which is engulfing all tenures, with private sector starts and completions falling by 20 per cent and 9 per cent between 2022 and 2023, and social sector starts and completions dropping by 35 per cent and 18 per cent. Housing association starts are now at their lowest number since 1988, while private sector starts have dropped to 2013 levels if discounting 2020 when COVID-19 significantly impacted homebuilding.

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members delivering the majority of the country’s new homes of all tenures, said:

“The Scottish Government can no longer ignore the country’s housing emergency and must take the urgent action required to address it. With four local authorities having already declared local housing emergencies, alongside today’s figures, what further evidence does the Scottish Government require to act?

“Frankly, Scotland’s population and the sector that provides homes for our communities deserve better than the same tired response that Brexit, cost price inflation and Westminster are the main causes of the housing crisis.

“Of course these are significant issues, but nowhere near as pressing as the challenges posed by an underfunded and under-resourced planning system which takes over 62 weeks to process a major housing application or the overall policy and regulatory environment which currently serves to hamper the delivery of new homes rather than promote them. Both of these are entirely within the control of the Scottish Government.

“Today’s figures further highlight the interconnected nature of the housing delivery in Scotland, which demonstrates the need for a healthy private sector to support the delivery of social homes.

“Rather than benchmarking a less bad completions rate against other parts of the UK, now is the time to take the bold action required to support housing delivery across all tenures. The Scottish Government must now surely take its head out of the sand, accept we are in the midst of a housing emergency and take ownership for addressing it.”

Scottish Buildings News 2024

2 March 2024

This page contains a selection of major Scottish Architecture News, with projects arranged chronologically, latest first. Each architecture news item links to an individual project page. We’ve selected what we feel are the key Scottish Building News stories.

The focus is on contemporary Scottish buildings but we do post on changes to major traditional buildings in Scotland.

2 March 2024
Scottish Buildings – RAAC Found

Aberdeen homeowners affected by potentially dangerous concrete have criticised the city council for failing to communicate with them.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found to be in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry, including 364 council properties.

Hundreds of people were alerted to the problem on Thursday.

But homeowners say they felt “frustrated” and “like an after-thought” to the local authority.

Residents criticise council after RAAC found

21 February 2024
New Director at Scottish Historic Buildings Trust

21st February 2024 – New Director, Dr Sam Gallacher joins the Trust from his role as Keeper of The Burrell Collection in Glasgow, the category A-listed modernist museum building and home to the world-famous collection of fine and decorative arts amassed by shipping merchant Sir William Burrell which was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2023 following a major refurbishment project.

Formerly Assistant Director of the Medici Archive Project in Florence, Italy, more recently he worked for the National Trust for Scotland in Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders managing a broad range of historic buildings, capital projects, natural and designed landscapes, and art collections.

– see Edinburgh Building News 2024

14 February 2024

Woeful planning statistics are unacceptable

Woeful planning statistics are unacceptable with average processing times for major housing developments now taking over a year on average.

Critical government action required against backdrop of Local Authority housing emergencies and research showing 693,000 Scottish households in some form of housing need.

New planning application statistics published today have been described as “woeful” and “unacceptable” by sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS). The figures highlight a 41 per cent drop in in the volume of applications for major housing developments (those for 50 or more homes) in the first two quarters of 2023/24 compared to the same period a year prior. This continues the decline in such applications coming forward for the fourth consecutive quarter. Despite a continuing fall in applications, the average processing time for Q1 and Q2 2023/24 was 62.1 weeks (a rise from 36.4 weeks on Q1 and Q2 2022/23) against a statutory timeframe of 16 weeks.

The number of local housing development applications has also fallen by 18 per cent across the same period, with average processing times for these being 17.8 weeks (more than double the eight week statutory timeframe).

HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“With the National Planning Improvement Champion yesterday concluding that there is no overall agreement on what successful planning looks like, I’m certain that we can all be united in the view that these woeful figures aren’t it and are simply unacceptable.

“The Scottish Government must get Scotland’s planning system sorted if we are to ensure this and future generations are able to access warm sustainable homes that meet their needs and they can afford.

“These figures highlight the scale of investment in planning services that is required at a time when the Scottish Government has announced a 43% reduction in the Planning budget from £11.7m to £6.6m.

“They also show the critical need for immediate short-term solutions. We have already submitted the urgent actions we believe need to be taken by the Scottish Government and want to work with Ministers and officials to implement meaningful change as quickly as possible so that Scotland’s people have the range and choice of homes that they both need and deserve.”

14 February 2024

Scottish Design Awards 2024 Jury

The Scottish Design Awards 2024 are pleased to present our twin judging panels for our 2024 awards, a handpicked team drawn from across the country with experience ranging from practice to academia and local government.

Scottish Architecture News in 2023

9 June 2023

Nessie search continues as reimagined Loch Ness Centre opens

Following £1.5m investment – the reimagined Nessie experience opens at the true home of the Loch Ness story

Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit, Scotland:

From today, visitors to the Highlands and wannabe monster spotters will be able to walk through 500 million years of history, delve deeper into Scottish myths and legends, and discover the scientific research behind the global phenomena that is the Nessie legend at The Loch Ness Centre.

Located at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, where, 90 years ago, Mrs Aldie Mackay hotel manageress reported seeing a ‘water beast’ in Loch Ness, Continuum Attractions has invested £1.5m in creating a modern immersive journey.

During the one-hour experience guests become part of the quest, discovering the real stories and meeting the many real and historic characters associated with the search for the truth about Loch Ness and Nessie.

Throughout eight immersive rooms guests delve deeper not just into history of the Loch Ness phenomenon but also the scientific research carried out by Adrian Shine and The Loch Ness Project (based on site), showcasing scientific methodology and real artefacts such as a real mini submarine, real underwater cameras, boats, sonar equipment all used in the quest to uncover the secrets of the 23 miles long Loch.

In ‘People and Stories’, guests will explore some of the most famous sightings and hoax’s linked to Nessie, set in the ‘bar of the old hotel’ guest meet old and young Mrs Aldie Mackay and learn how her one sighting changed history forever; and gave birth to a modern legend.

Guests’ hunt for the truth doesn’t end after the tour, tickets include an optional 12-month membership to The Loch Ness Quest, giving exclusive access to the latest Nessie sightings, events and news.

Guests can go on to explore the depths of the world’s most famous loch for themselves onboard the Centre’s vessel, Deepscan, named after the Operation Deepscan expedition carried out on the loch in 1987.

Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum, said: “It’s an honour to open the doors to the newly imagined Loch Ness Centre. This must be one of the world’s greatest stories and it deserved a more modern and immersive presentation, which I hope we have delivered. We are very aware we are only temporary guardians of this amazing legend and we want to invest in keeping the search alive.

There’s also a surprise for guests too when they hear who our narrator is!”

Pre-booked tickets are available in advance online. Adult tickets start from £13.95 online and Deepscan Cruises tickets start from £19.00.

To book your trip to The Loch Ness Centre or a cruise tour, please visit: https://lochness.com

3 June 2023
The Arbor House, Aberdeenshire, Northeast Scotland
Design: Brown & Brown Architects

photo © Jim Stephenson
The Arbor House, Aberdeen

31 May 2023
New Paisley Grammar School Community Campus

render courtesy of Renfrewshire Council
Paisley Grammar School Community Campus Design
The new school is due to be open in summer 2026 and will boast a state-of-the-art set-up for pupils and the wider community, to replace the existing Paisley Grammar School.

29 May 2023
ONE BioHub, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen, Northeast Scotland
Design: BDP

image courtesy of architects practice
ONE BioHub Aberdeen life sciences building
ONE BioHub will provide start-up, spinout and scaling life sciences businesses, tackling modern health challenges with incubator laboratories and offices, fully customisable grow-on space, commercialisation and growth programmes, and access to mentors, expert networks and investors.

31 March 2023
Scotland’s housing deficit growing as drop in the new homes starts continues

The latest Scottish Government housing statistics (released today) reveal the drop in the number of new homes that are being started to be built across all sectors is continuing to grow, with a 12 per cent decrease in the year to end September 2022 compared to the previous 12 months.

This is set to add to the housing shortfall of more than 110,000 homes that has accumulated in Scotland since 2007 when pre-financial crisis completion levels were 25,000.

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members delivering the majority of the country’s new homes, said:
“Whilst there was a much needed ten per cent increase in the number of new homes completed in the year to end September 2022 (up 2,023 to 22,905) , this positive news is again offset by the 12 per cent overall fall in the number of starts (down 2,580 to 19,227). Particularly worrying in the context of the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing ambitions is the 27 per cent drop recorded in housing association approvals.

“The appointment of the new First Minister presents the perfect opportunity to review the regulatory areas and other issues creating blockers to residential development across sectors to ensure that housing in Scotland meets the needs and aspirations of everyone living here. We and our members are committed to achieving this.”

From the Scottish Government’s Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply (published 28 March 2023)

22 March 2023
Home Builders Welcome Appointment To Housing To 2040 Strategic Board
Home building sector body Homes for Scotland has welcomed the appointment of its Chief Executive Jane Wood to the Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 Strategic Board which has its first meeting today (Wednesday 22 March 2023).

Wood is one of the housing stakeholders sitting on the Board which is to lead progress towards the delivery of the Scottish Government’s ambition that everyone has a safe, quality and affordable home that meets their needs in the place they want to be. She said:

“Housing is fundamental to Scotland’s social wellbeing and economic success. From health and education to jobs and investment, it impacts every area of our lives but we simply don’t have enough homes. This is clearly demonstrated by the shortfall of 110,000 homes that has been accumulated since 2008 yet delivery challenges have never been greater. With strong interdependencies between tenures, home builders across all segments of the housing market have a critical role to play in achieving the objectives set out by the Scottish Government and recognition of this through my appointment is very much welcomed.

“The Strategic Board is a critical body which must focus on creating effective policies which deliver both economically and socially, and I look forward to working collaboratively with my Board colleagues to do this.”

25 Jan 2023
Homes for Scotland News
Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), whose members deliver the majority of all homes built in Scotland, has announced the promotion of planning team members Liz Hamilton and Richard Lewington. Liz becomes Director of Planning and Richard Principal Planning Adviser.

Read the news in full at the Edinburgh Buildings news 2022 page.

24 Jan 2023
Glasgow School of Art rebuilding, Glasgow
The first phase of physical preparation works for the rebuild of the Mackintosh Building has been completed with massive amounts of fire-damaged material removed from the site, and a complex and meticulous evaluation of the building undertaken The Glasgow School of Art confirms:
Glasgow School of Art rebuilding

19 Jan 2023
Loch Tummel House, Perth and Kinross, central-northern Scotland
Design: WT Architecture

photo : Gillian Hayes
Loch Tummel House, Schiehallion
Loch Tummel House sits at the feet of mighty Schiehallion gazing out along one of Scotland’s most iconic lochs. WT Architecture worked alongside an exceptional client, and a team of talented designers and craftspeople to create this remarkable estate house and converted farm steading.