DESIGN

The block was envisaged as acontemporary
interpretation of the traditional four-storey
Glasgowtenement, where identity is derived
from control of detail, scale, proportionand
materiality.Its success, saysElder &Cannon,
is reliant upon the continued inclusionof
the primaryarchitectural elements, well
proportionedwindows,balconies, porches and
appropriate quality to the primary materials of
buildings and landscape.
In response to the proximity of the railway, the
block breaks to formtwo new entrycourtyards
and L-shaped legs of accommodationwhich
enclose alargeramenity courtyard. The northeasternleg
responds to the street and new public
space created, accommodating maisonette
homes withflats above. The south-westernleg
responds to the southerlyaspect, generates a
landscape buffer to Cumberland Street and
addresses the garden and play area to the west.
The blocks containawide mix of flats from onebed
up to six-bed arrangements to meet the mix
requirements requestedbyNew Gorbals Housing
Association, rationalising these into aunified
formthroughcareful planning.
Left
Ground- and second-floor
plans showingthe open
courtyard arrangement.
Right
Bricklends an overall
coherence to the scheme
while allowing for
individual variationof
windows and balconies.
The project has achieved
an Ecohomes ‘verygood’
andenergy use will be
monitored duringits first
twoyearsofhabitation,
with feedbackgiven to
tenants.
The courtyardterraces to the north areoccupied
by two-and three- storey homes arranged as
linear blocks addressing shared surface courts
with amenityspace to the rear.The houses are
three- and four-bed units. They adopt asimilar
materialityasthe main block and prioritise
rigour,scale and proportionasdevices to control
and order the elevation.
22 •IBSTOCK DESIGN •SPRING 2016