May 2023
The Community Consultation / Co-Design event took place on the 2nd of May 2023, in the Maryhill Hub. It was organised by the WRU (Wyndford Resident Union) and the facilitators; Eva Voulgaridou and Chico Shankland, aiming to feed into the Archifringe event organised by a group of GSA students named: Rethinking the Architect: the Fight to ‘Save the Wyndford’
As part of the Archifringe festival which takes place biannualy in Scotland, a team of students from GSA organized an exhibition event centered around the story of the Wyndford Towers, offering new perspectives while questioning the role of the Architect in response to related systemic issues.
You can read more about the event here: https://architecturefringe.com /festivals/2023/rethinkingthe-architect-the-fight-tosave-the-wyndford
WhyFour tower blocks in the Wyndford Estate in Maryhill are currently slated for demolition. In November 2021, the residents received a letter introducing the demolition plans under the guise of an exciting "transformation project." However, the letter did not provide a clear explanation of what the project entails. The residents were invited to participate in an 8-week consultation, but many of them report that no subsequent events were organized. Consequently, they have lodged an official complaint, alleging unlawful consultation.
As architects, we strongly believe in the power of engagement and participation as crucial steps before any proposals. We advocate for redefining our role as active listeners, facilitators, and supporters of the community.
The purpose of this co-design event was to demonstrate what is possible and necessary, to create a positive narrative for the future of Wyndford and, most importantly, to listen to the residents!
The sessionwas dividedin 4 separatesections.
The participants were asked to write thoughts on printed photos which were provided in advance. Once marked by the participants, the photos were pinned on the wall, allowing everyone to embrace collective thinking.
Using the photos from activity 01, we asked the residents to identify key topics that require further discussion.
The key topics were then grouped into 4 categories that we assigned to study groups for brainstorming and ideas discussion.
Open discourse regarding the Archifringe exhibition, hearing from the residents which narratives they would like showcased during the June event.
In total about 30 people participated in the session with a mix of owners, tenants and a few visitors living in the neighbourhood. The age mix was quite varied with participants from their late 20s to their 60-70s. The invitation to the event was open to all, aiming to ensure inclusivity, freedom of participation and maximum engagement.
It is worth noting that consultation processes are typically lengthy and phased, and we are aware that a few hours cannot fully capture the depth and complexity of a comprehensive consultation process. This event served as a 'teaser', offering a glimpse of the possibilities and benefits that a comprehensive and inclusive consultation process can bring.
The Hub Outdoorgreen spaces
Covered Areas
Maintenance/ Management Issues The tower blocks Children's PlayAreas & Nursery
During the session, the residents noted the following thoughts/suggestions
Outdoorgreen spaces
The Hub
H
The tower blocks Children's PlayAreas & Nursery
Covered Areas
Maintenance/ Management Issues
OOutdoorgreen spaces
• Love for the courtyards
• Wish for allotments
• Wildflowers for 'wetland'
• Football pitch next to power plant
• Wheelchair gardening
• Sensory gardens
• Improved accessibility
TThe tower blocks
• Majority wish for retrofit
• Concerns over long demolition
• Gardens in the sky
• Community grow scheme and knowledge sharing
• Demand for security and safety
• Concerns on noise and environmental impact
CChildren's PlayAreas & Nursery
• Nursery to be refurbished
• Spaces for autistic children
• Support families and provide good quality play areas
• Love for the hub
• ALL participants do not want to lose this community space
• Refurbishment required
• External space to be improved
• Requirement for more events
• Improved access to the hub
• Existing canopy spaces need to be maintained and cleaned
• More covered community spaces
• Empty spaces and buildings behind the hub to be re-used
• Concerns over costs
• Badly managed green spaces, facades and gutters, paths and bin store areas
• Demand for transparency and better communication
Wyndford Residents Union
-for helping to organiseand providing tea and snacks
ALL the participants
Eddie Carlile
-for their active engagement, openmindness and for all the photos they provided in advance
-for the lovely photographs
GSA students
-for preparing maps and providing the prints
The Maryhill Hub
-for providing us the space
Reportcreatedby Eva Voulgaridou ArchitectARB,MArchevavoulg@gmail.com
