Suburbia of Time, Place & Self by Finlay Geddes

Suburbia of Time, Place and Self

Suburbia of Time, Place and Self Finlay Geddes AB 964 Design Studies 5A Publication

Declaration

AB 964 Design Studies 5A Brief - Thesis Inception MArch/Pg Dip Advanced Architectural Design MArch Architectural Design International â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hereby declare that this dissertation submission is my own work and has been composed by myself. It contains no unacknowledged text and has not been submitted in any previous context. All quotations have been distinguished by quotation marks and all sources of information, text, illustration, tables, images etc. have been specifically acknowledged. I accept that if having signed this Declaration my work should be found at Examination to show evidence of academic dishonesty the work will fail and I will be liable to face the University Senate Discipline Committee.â&#x20AC;?

Name:

Finlay Geddes

Signed:

30.01.17

Date:

[1]

“Buildings speak – and on topics which can be readily discerned. They speak of democracy or aristocracy, openness or arrogance, welcome or threat, a sympathy for the future of a hankering for the past.” (De Botton, 2007: 71)

Contents

List of figures iv Abstract vi

Issue 1 Evolution 9 Problems 17 Solutions 25 Retrofit? 37 Aesthetic 45 Site 53 Conclusions 69 References 71

iii

List of figures

[1],[2]: Retrofitting parti, dystopian montage (Author’s own) [3]: Easter Pencaitland, East Lothian, Scotland - Aerial View (Source: Scran, 2017) [4]: Housing starts... line graph (Source: Gov.scot, 2017) [5], [6]: False self montage, A doctored developer brochure...(Author’s own) [7]: Poundbury (Source: Duchyofcornwall.org, 2017) [8]: The Architect’s Dream (Thomas Cole, 1840) (Source: Artinthepicture. com) [9]: Las Vegas (Source: Ballenvegas.com, 2017) [10]: Playing with the pastiche montage (Author’s own) [11]: Historic housing images [pages 10-16] (Source: Scran, 2017) [12]: Millar Homes at Robroyston (Source: Millar Homes, 2017) [13]: Glasgow map with suburbs (Source: Scran, 2017) [14]: Falkirk vs. Halifax suburb (Source: Barratt Homes and Stonewater Homes, 2016) [15]: Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010 (Scottish Government, 2010) [16]: No access to ‘true nature’ (Barratt Homes, 2016) [17]: Pastiche of streets abstract model (Author’s own) [18]: Materials as inefficient (Source: Barratt Homes, 2016) [19]: Paris Plages... (Source: The Guardian, 2016) [20]: Jagnefelt Milton project (Source: Dezeen, 2010) [21]: Findhorn Ecovillage, Scotland (Source: Findhorn.org, 2017) [22]: Svendborg Architects project (Source: Svenbord Architects) [23]: Hagen Island by MRDV (Source: Ideamsg.com, 2017) [24]: Grayson Perry project (Source: Archdaily.com, 2015) [25]: Abstract programme models (Author’s own) [26]: Abstract programme models (Author’s own) [27]: Programme collage (Author’s own) [28]: Instinctive new aesthetic sketches (Author’s own) [29]: Learning from Las Vegas style Robroyston cartoons (Author’s own) [30] Abstraction of pastiche models (Author’s own) [31]: Rachel Whiteread, ‘House’ (1993) (Source: Rachel Whiteread, 2017) [32]: Satelite view of Robroyston (Source: Google Streetview, 2016), Scotland sketch (Author’s own) [33]: Robroyston through time collage (Author’s own) [34]: Age of developments (Author’s own) [35]: Amenities (Author’s own) [36]: Public vs. private green space (Author’s own) [37]: Area given to car vs. pedestrian (Author’s own) [38]: House prices (Author’s own) [39]: House sizes (Author’s own) [40]: Gordon Matta Clark, ‘Conical Insect’(1975) (Source: Aesthetica Magazine, 2016)

[2]

Abstract The way in which the housing crisis is being addressed in Scotland throughout the suburbs of the country is not sustainable. Culturally, the houses have no sense of time or place resulting in the pastiche. Socially, trends in housing to fuel a preconceived sense of ‘self’. Physically, the houses are of poor build quality and of a typology & layout that lacks design. The thesis proposes a new approach to address the crisis which seeks to retrofit existing developments. This is done as an inherently more sustainable, contextual and informed approach as this learns from failed developments. Work focuses on retrofitting a recent housing development to become culturally and physically sustainable. An approach is taken in the design of this retrofit that acknowledges the ‘pastiche’ of the suburbs and learns from it. Addressing suburban issues on scales of ‘regional’, ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘home’, a focus is put on the symbolism inherent in the ‘pastiche’. [Authenticity, Contemporary, Context, Pastiche, Place, Progress, Retrofit, Robustness, Self, Suburbia, Sustainability, Time]

Issue

[3]

Scotland’s ‘housing crisis’ This thesis comes in the wake of a large scale ‘housing crisis’ in Scotland that is not being responded to efficiently. The ‘crisis’ has come about as house prices rise due to less houses being built than ever before in the life of the Scottish Parliament (BBC, 2016). Over the period from 2014-15, there were 17,149 homes built in Scotland. This compares to 28,481 homes in 200405, ten years earlier (BBC, 2016). The shortage makes it difficult for those looking to rent and first-time buyers to afford a home. Numerous attempts have been made by architects, planners and government to address this housing shortage through a multitude strategies but none yet have fully got to the core of the issue. The economic downturn of 2007 meant that many housebuilders went out of business. This meant that building across sectors declined, in particular by private house builders. Local authority and social housing saw a slight increase, but not enough to pick up the slack (BBC, 2016). Public sector housing being built could fill this void. The dichotomy from 2014-15 was 12,209 privately built houses compared to 3,353 public or housing association built houses (BBC, 2016). Developers blame lack of building on legislative delays and enforced contributions to local infrastructure. However these are necessary parts of development.

built in the same format - without fully questioning the validity of this format. As discussed in this thesis, this has remained unchanged for decades. However, this approach neglects the fact these houses did not tackle the issues facing the sector. The design of housing that is currently being provided, is argued in this thesis to be unsustainable. An innovative strategy is needed to address the shortage before the damage has been further done for future generations. Scottish suburban housing design is blindly following an uninformed path with no signs of changing course.

[4] - New housing starts by sector, (Scottish Government Housing Statistics)

Those in power in Scotland, and the UK as a whole, are pushing for an increased amount of houses to be 2

Housing absent of design quality and self

[5]

There is an inequality for people in Scotland unable to afford well built houses, instead opting for developer led projects. Scotland is the focus of study, where recently “66% of private sector dwellings failed [quality standards]”(Scottish Government, 2011) - quality homes are in a minority. The problem identified is that current trends in UK suburban housing embody this disparity. The majority of the housing stock is to a poor design standard. “The mass housebuilders have done such an appalling job of despoiling the countryside. So from an aesthetic point of view self-builders can’t do any worse and should be encouraged.” Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times’s architecture critic, (BBC, 2011)

Alongside and inherent in this dichotomy is the fact that many people are unable to afford architect designed homes. The majority of people in the UK are living in developer led suburbs that lack proper design. Ted Stevens, chairman of the National Self Build Association claims, “...In Austria 80% of all homes are self-built. In Germany, France and Italy the figure is 60%. In the US and Australia it is over 40%. By contrast the figure for the UK is about 10%...” (BBC, 2011)

Developers don’t appreciate the benefit of good design, only the time and cost it takes to undertake. Therefore, the same houses are rolled out across Scotland with rare design input. Inherent within this design ineptitude are monotonous housing typologies, format of the suburban housing provided and external aesthetics. RIBA research conducted in England found that only “31% of people would not consider buying a home built in the last ten years” and of those “46% said they lack style” as their reasoning (RIBA, 2011).

Poor design in Scottish suburbs are in-part an effect of a failed system in place. This is a model of housing which speaks of the an expected way of life. Focus in developments is put on the car, a commuter job and a nuclear family set-up. Housing must be provided that accommodates the reality of our diverse modern demographic and is no longer focussed on the automobile. Housing at present can be seen to foster a ‘false self’ of who we feel we should be rather than truly are. This aspect to suburban housing is broadened later in this document. “…People bought houses to bolster their image of self – both an as individual and as a person in a certain status position in society.” “A conventional house and a rigidly static concept of self are mutually supporting.” (Cooper, 1974:132, 144)

This neglect for quality, design and who the occupants truly are by house builders leads to a form of housing that is not reflective of our time, place or self. It is often the case that the style of these houses only superficially reference traditional, high quality homes and hence become a parody of our architectural heritage. The thesis describes these developments as ‘pastiche’.

[6] - A doctored developer brochure showing the true self

Defining the ‘pastiche’ The thesis focuses on the phenomenon of ‘pastiche’ within Scottish suburbs as the root to the issues currently being faced. This phenomenon is seen as leading to an absence of innovatively designed schemes that would address the core of the ‘housing crisis’. ‘Pastiche’ housing can be seen as a thoughtless imitation. “Exteriors that hark back to what no longer exists...” (De Botton, 2013)

In The Architecture of Happiness (2007), Alain de Botton places the blame for the current ‘pastiche’ condition on nostalgia. He argues that as a result of the turbulence of wartime Britain, design of housing has sought to reassure occupants of their stability and security by incorporating styles of eras embodying these characters. Nostalgia can be seen as a restorative way of coping with stress and trauma (TED-Ed, Why do we feel nostalgia?). This trend has continued by developers blindly ignoring the fact that we live in a different age from these houses of antiquity. The approach to the ‘pastiche’ throughout this thesis is based upon that of Learning from Las Vegas (Venturi, Scott Brown, Izenour, 1972). The authors discourage an architectural imperialism in disregarding the ‘pastiche’. They use the case of Las Vegas to describe how we should “...disorder an order we cannot see...”. Venturi, Scott Brown and Izenour describe Las Vegas as progressive in that it allows for a layman creativity and does not adhere to the rules dictated by an architect or other designer. In relation to suburbia, we must take on board the symbolism and language imbedded in the ‘pastiche’ rather than casting it aside. This translates into a cultural denial of this new ‘vernacular’. We must accept this symbolism as reasoned and learn from it. What then distinguishes a Palladian villa as pastiche from the contemporary pastiche (Poundbury) and the majority of suburban housing? Palladio practised the use of symmetry, perspective and values of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It can be said nonetheless that he reworked these to fit his own architectural brief and agenda. In our times, the suburbs attempt to take architectural language of eras that are nostalgic for people of a better time. They do this without an understanding of the symbolism behind the language. Hence, they appear irrelevant and uncomfortable for those who understand the language.

[7] - Poundbury

[8] - The Architect’s Dream (Thomas Cole, 1840)

[9] - Las Vegas

This work seeks to pose the question, ‘how do we tackle the cultural and physical problems of the pastiche in Scottish suburbs?’ The approach taken is that by understanding this phenomenon and relaying the symbolism in a different, more aesthetically contemporary form we may make an architecture that is more of time, place and self.

Theoretical approach I am thoroughly interested in the contemporary interpretation of Scottish vernacular and traditional architecture and admire architects who successfully achieve this. In particular, I admire when this is successful in housing projects â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as an illustrative typology in architectural practices design approach. The traditions of Scottish vernacular and tradition can become part of our new contemporary aesthetic. Pastiche in this thesis is seen as a vernacular. It is a language created by non-architects for a purpose.

The thesis aims to kill two birds with one stone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; increase the amount of housing available in Scotland, whilst making this of time, place and self. This thesis suggests that a new approach to the shortage is to go back to failed projects and make them suit the needs of current suburban dwellers rather than a forgone demographic.

[10]

Scope of thesis The unique feature to this piece of work inclusion of the pastiche as well as history to inform the new format of suburban housing. Many suburban models have been showcased in Scotland in previous years, but in my opinion none have utilised this method. The Learning from Las Vegas (Venturi, Scott Brown, Izenour: 1972) view towards that which is usually disregarded by architects becomes highly valuable in the design for this thesis. In terms of the scale of this study, Arthur M Edwards describes a ‘suburb’ as “…an area of houses. Shops, industrial estates and large blocks of flats are excluded. It is, furthermore, an area of houses which exists as the result of the activities of an estate-developer.” (Edwards, 1981: 1). By this definition we can exclude many areas of urbanity from this study. We do not include a traditional village or town scenario in this study, but focus on those developments created by individuals or organisations in a non-organic settlement pattern. The scope of this work looks at the regional, neighbourhood and home scales of suburbia. In chapter 3 the definitions and parameters of these scales are discussed. Areas of the suburban discourse that are excluded from this thesis involve the intricacies of the home layout on a small scale. Housing will only be studied at a scale of aesthetics and typologies then scales larger than this. This thesis focuses on areas that are affected by the pastiche. Though to a certain extent the negative layout of bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens is fuelled by the ‘pastiche’ – this is not to the same extent as home aesthetics or the neighbourhood.

Thesis structure Firstly, the evolution of how we got to a state of ‘pastiche’ is tracked through the history of the Scottish suburb. Lessons to be learned are summarised through this area from case studies depictive of each era. The work then looks at how this evolution has come to produce ‘pastiche’ and places the reader in contemporary Scotland. We then move to in depth analysis of the problems that exist in these contemporary suburbs through three scales: regional, neighbourhood and home. In this section, case studies that are depictive of key problems are discussed, abstracting the problems from these as well as principles from the literature. The proceeding chapter highlights how these issues can be addressed, through further ‘best practice’ case studies. The solutions are summarised on three scales and discussed further as to how they can be implemented as a retrofit of an existing suburb.

Evolution

[11]

Brief history of the Scottish suburb Inevitably entwined within this architectural evolution of the Scottish suburb are political, historical and societal events that are key to understanding the architecture. We start by briefly looking at the potential inception of Scottish suburbia. This chapter seeks to track the evolution of non-organic settlement patterns in Scotland - which can be seen to lead to the suburban developments we have today. For many authors on the subject of suburbia, defining the beginning of this phenomenon is difficult (Harris, Larkham: 1999). In the UK, the beginning of this evolution is often seen as ‘inter-war’ and the US as ‘post-war phenomenon’. However, this chapter seeks to find the root of suburbs in a Scottish context, which are seen to be long before World War times. This research is undertaken in order to going into the retrofit programme with an informed historic background. This chapter has given an overview of the story of the Scottish suburb, in order to briefly illustrate how we got to the current state and what lessons can be abstracted from each era.

New Lanark, 1785

Planned Fishertowns e.g. Footdee, 1809

Thurso, 1798

Planned Towns e.g. Bowmore, 1786

Tenement housing e.g. Gorbals, 1840s

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Domestic Revivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; e.g. Allermuir, Colinton, 1879

Estate Housing e.g. Balmoral, 1855

Glasgow, 1885

Wemyss, 1895

Mosspark, Glasgow, 1925

Garden City movement e.g. Torry, Aberdeen 1918

C.R. Mackintosh e.g. Hill House, 1904

1919 Housing Act e.g. Mosspark, 1921

Dundee, 1919

Interwar housing e.g. Carntyne, 1925 - 30

Garscube, 1950

Post-war housing e.g. Garthdee, Aberdeen 1940s

Bearsden, 1933

Wartime corrogated metal shelters e.g. Sighthill, 1940s

Longniddry, 1939

New housing schemes, e.g. Sighthill, 1956

Falkirk, 1968

New towns, e.g. Livingston, 1962

Linlithgow, 1959

Pilmur Estate, 1959

Longniddry, Edinburgh 1980

East Kilbride, 1990s

North Berwick, 1970

[12] Millar Homes at Robroyston, 2017

Problems

[13] Glasgow map with suburbs

This chapter highlights the current issues found in Scottish suburbs on three scales. These scales are regional, neighbourhood and home: Regional: Government, politics, local government policy affect, infrastructure, proximity of settlements, proximity of labour/jobs, society Neighbourhood: Layout of streets, pedestrian friendly or not, access to nature, access to play, materials, community capacity, facilities provided, density, typologies, land use, house size, sense of place. Home: The aesthetics, scale of pastiche, materials, adaptability, representation of self, layout contributing to lifestyle, of the individual dwellings, capacity for provision of positive mental/physical well-being

Regional Societal attitude to suburbs There is an issue with the societal attitude towards suburbs. This has been introduced in the first chapter. The current attitude is difficult to change as occupants of suburbia see no alternative to the current options given to them.

For decades, those looking for a new house have looked to what is available. Therefore, people have become complacent with this form of housing and not thought of the alternatives. On a societal scale, people must be given the options to explore new formats of suburban living such as that proposed in this thesis. “Our responses to distance are quite predictable. Most of us will walk to a corner store rather than climb in and out of the car if it’s less than a five-minute walk – about a quarter mile-away. We won’t walk more than five minutes to a bus stop, but we will walk ten to a light-rail or subway station, partly because most of us perceive rail service to be faster, more predictable and more comfortable.” (Montgomery, 2013: 193)

As well as the local issues (to be discussed in later chapters) associated with the convention in our society to rely upon the car, there are larger regional implications to this phenomenon. The advent of the car has meant that at a regional scale, cities are designed for commuting rather than people working and living in their local area. Whereas in the early stages of this phenomenon, there would have still been a majority of jobs available at a local scale – the increasing societal convention to use the car has driven jobs further from where the labourers reside.

“…In order to choose properly, one must know what there is to choose from.” (De Botton, 2007: 263)

Urban strategies of city peripheries Associated with and fuelling the cultural and physical reliance on the car is the urban layout of these settlements having become solely residential with other amenities only accessible by car or bus. Large swathes of a region have become seas of sprawl where residents must travel in the car to access any other amenity than their home. Additionally, there is lack of sustainable and functional infrastructure. The public transport that is provided in Scottish suburbs is sporadic and often comes in the form of a bus. Occupants are forced to use their cars to access work and amenities as the public transport currently provided is not a fully viable option. The overarching issue in relation to urban strategies of Scottish suburbs is their lack of urban definition. It is often the case that people seek to live in the suburbs as a retreat from inner city living. They venture to the suburbs in order to live the country way of life and be closer to nature. However, in the case of many suburbs and Scottish contemporary suburbs in particular this is not the case (Edwards: 1981). It can be said that the suburbs at present have neither the qualities of a village nor those of a town or city. The way of living in suburban housing is not like any other preceding urban form. Government policies and their inefficiencies On the strategic level of the Scottish Parliament and local governments, not enough is being done to counteract the problems of suburbia. This area looks to highlight the shortcomings in current policy and legislation. The policies that are being put in place to alleviate the developer dominated sector have not been addressing the issues. The solutions attempted in hindsight seem to be superficial. In this way the governments policies are pastiche. The solutions proposed in Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Housing Expo 2010 in terms of government level interventions, were to greater involve the architect. Their intention was to change the methods of procurement for housing schemes. However, this was done in the context of sector that is solely developer driven. No real solutions were shown to implement this new method of procurement. In this way, the Housing Expo can be seen as a cosmetic solution for political point-scoring. We need ideas that are actualised in terms of ousting developers from the centre of the house building sector.

[14] Falkirk vs. Halifax suburb

Losing regional architecture to globalised suburb As seen in the introductory chapters, Scottish suburbs have suffered the same fate as many other suburbs in the Western world. A globalised country cottage aesthetic has become the norm. This is an architectural language that is evident from across Northern America to former British colonies. These designs have a lack of authenticity as they do not relate to a local language. According to Lefaivre and Tzonis (2012: 109) this phenomenon began John Claudius Loudon’s The Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm, Villa Architecture (1834) which began as a superficial form of regionalism. The author would take local traditions and roll them out on an unnaturally large scale. At present this phenomenon exists – but on a global scale. Do we wish to live in a world where houses are the same from Halifax to Falkirk? The current path of design means this may soon be a reality.

[15] Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010

[16] - No access to ‘true nature’

Neighbourhood Layouts as pastiche “When designers try to maximise the number of cul-desacs in an area, they create a dendritic – or treelike – system of roads, that feeds all their traffic into a few main branches. The system makes just about every destination farther away because it eliminates the most direct routes between them. Connectivity counts: more intersections mean more walking, and more disconnected cul-de-sacs mean more driving.” (Montgomery, 2013: 191)

[17] Cul-de-sac layouts as pastiche

The roads of Scottish suburbs are poorly laid out making them inefficient. Layouts often don’t relate to the site context or contours but aimlessly meander (Montgomery, 2013). The layouts of streets seek to evoke a ‘quasi-rurality’ (Harris, Larkham, 1999) but in reality these layouts speak neither of inner city, villages nor rural areas. The winding cul-de-sacs when taken individually evoke meandering country lanes. However, when the development comes together this image is diminished to the truth of streets dominated by the car in a totally non-rural way. Focus is put on the car, with larger area being given to car traffic than anything else (see ‘Site’ chapter). Although current suburbs include efforts to partially pedestrianize some areas and slow traffic – these are superficial when such a large area is given over to the automobile.

Community spirit malnourished Associated with and alongside the issue of focus put on the car is community. As mentioned in the Region section, amenities are located far from the developments, with the developments themselves rarely including any amenities. Occupants must use a car to get to any amenity, as there are none within the neighbourhood. This leads to the problem of people living solely in their homes and in their car – there is little reason for people to occupy the street. As Jan Gehl professes (2003), we need streets that are ‘active and slow’. Further contributing to the physical deficiencies of the neighbourhood to foster community, is the lack of real public gathering spaces. There is a strong focus on the individual homes being exclusively private but the remaining land is not used for public purposes. This accentuates the lack of community spirit and a shared responsibility for the neighbourhood. No access to true humanity (nature, play etc) The lack of affordance for public space by the developers also translates to children’s play space. Often in developments there is a token play area given over to children. This is not suitable for the creativity and adaptability that a child’s play space requires. These are claustrophobic for children and don’t attend to their real needs (Hurtwood, 1968). RIBA 2011 research in England states: “The top three things people look for when moving home are outside space (49%), the size of the rooms (42%), and proximity to local services (42%).”

Equal to the issue of not reacting to a true need for play, developers do not properly address the human need to be in touch with nature. Often in Scottish suburbs a token effort is made to provide greenery and ‘nature’. However, this can be read more as decoration than an immersive experience of our natural environments. There is a superficial nature within the streetscape but nothing authentic. This is of particular interest in the suburbs, where people retreat to from inner city to be closer to rurality and nature. Gardens are small, restrictive and regressive (large boundary fences). Gardens as restrictive boxes.

Home Pastiche aesthetics and ‘false self’ It has been previously discussed how the aesthetics of the houses in Scottish suburbs are ‘pastiche’. The aesthetics of Scottish suburban houses can be seen as harking back to a bygone era. This is can be seen as to fulfil people’s nostalgic desires to return to harmonious times. “… The single family house, born out of impossible bourgeois dreams of domesticity, masqueraded as an idealised moral refuge invested with secure gendered roles, ideals of cleanliness and household order.” (Edensor, 2005: 835)

As well as fulfilling a nostalgic vision of life of antiquity, these houses are not reflective of place or context. Additionally, the aesthetics of the home speak of a certain way of life. They are symbolic of a ‘false self’. The aesthetics speak of who we feel we ‘ought’ to be and our genuine individual tastes. These buildings have no identity, simply conforming to a manufactured generic identity. The houses do not allow for individual adaptability but are rigid in their allowance for people impressing their styles. Material use is inefficient Materials which are complimentary to the aesthetics of Scottish suburban houses are used in order to conform to certain expectations. Certain materials used to conform to this pastiche. These are not necessarily the most relevant for a certain context. The materials are not responsive to climate, local resources or traditions. The most economically viable or most sustainable materials are shunned by developers in favour of those which conform to this pastiche and false aesthetic. Brick is a perfect example of this phenomenon, where it is used symbolically rather than as integral to the structure. “After being properly introduced to the true range of architecture, the prospective buyers of red-brick, Neo-Tudor house might look beyond their original wish. A few might even surprise themselves by registering an interest in a raw wabi¬-looking concrete box, to whose virtues they had, through a journey of aesthetic education, been led to feel newly sensitive.” (De Botton, 2007: 263)

As seen in the evolution of Scottish suburbs chapter, many materials have been disregarded by the people from failed modern developments. Rejection of modernist materials like concrete and steel has occurred as these are associated by people as ‘too modern’ and have association for people with failed 23

[18] - Materials as inefficient

post-war housing. However, we now have greater knowledge of these previously avant guarde materials. We are able to use these new materials in a truly innovative, sustainable and contextual way. Form of the homes is restrictive “Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky, Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes all the same. There’s a green one and a pink one, And a blue one and a yellow one, And they’re all made out of ticky tacky, And they all look just the same.” (Malvina Reynolds, 1962)

The form of the houses in Scottish suburbs reinforces this aesthetic and materials of pastiche. The typology of the homes is associated with a detached cottage or rural home. The pretension is that everyone has their own cottage in the countryside. This monotonous single house typology doesn’t allow for efficiency, in that semidetached homes or terraces do not conform to this idyllic image. This means as well as unnecessary gaps between homes, the developers are less able to aim at a mixed demographic. Single occupancy homes or small families do not take up sufficient space to fulfil the farmhouse image. In this way the house typology can be seen as driving towards a nuclear middle-class family set-up.

Solutions

[19] Paris Plages, where the motorway close every summer allowing temporary beaches and pedestrian walkways

This chapter seeks to reflect on the discussions in the previous chapter and provide solutions to these issues. This is done with reference to successful case studies and will inform the design principles for a retrofit of Scottish suburbia. The chapter is divided into the same scales as chapter 3 but briefly highlights solutions to the respective problems. The solutions are repeated however this is seen as a mothball affect where one intervention does multiple things.

Regional 1. The new suburban housing should showcase a new, exciting format of housing. This is done with the intention of enticing people to an alternative suburbia and change societal attitudes to suburbs by use of evocative precedent.

3. Government issues should be addressed by addressing the ‘housing crisis’ thinking more long term. Policy makers should think more about the quality and inevitable reduced need for ‘patching up’ later. Successful solutions that work with rather than against the established developer led industry. Solutions should be sought with the developer as an ally to the architect and attempts made to build bridges. Point 1 may help to address the developer led industry by changing people’s value towards architect designed homes. 4. Affordances should be made to the time and effort required to understand local architecture. This is a language that has existed for good reasons in particular locals so we must value it. Complimentary to this is the understanding of the pastiche, learning from the symbolism imbedded in this.

2. The design of developments should provide increased and better quality public transport. This can be done by improving the existing bus links to inner city and towns. However, a strategy of light rail or trams is seen as more strategic and thorough. Scotland’s rural areas used to have a strong network of light rail services, which were abolished with the advent of the car. These should be replaced as they worked. A further aim is to better define the urbanity of the suburbs, creating one that is a more honest mix of rurality and urbanity. This is addressed in points 2 and 3.

[20]

Architects: Jagnefalt Milton Location: Andalnes, Norway Year: Competition A proposal to renew old railway lines by using them to take amenities to rural/suburban areas. Programmes such as concert halls and bathhouses are brought seasonally or as required.

[21] - Findhorn Ecovillage, Scotland

Neighbourhood “…Work, play, domesticity and commerce could begin to intermingle again.” (Montgomery, 2007: 290)

1. The layouts of suburban streets should relate to context, landscape and use. This should be addressed rather than creating cul-de-sacs for the sake of it. 2. An integral part to transforming the community spirit of suburbs is diversifying the amenities available within the development itself. As Montgomery discusses, more reasons to walk as well as greater walkability will fuel a thriving community. Greater walkability can be achieved through proper pedestrianizing of all or parts of the suburb. Public gathering places that are meaningful and useful will drastically the community of suburbs. If people like a space, they will begin to take ownership, inviting interactions. The addition of other public programmes such as open-air theatre or public outdoor pools would encourage engagement. Point 3 discusses access to nature, community engagement in activities such as gardening and allotments would be endlessly beneficial to civic pride in the suburbs. 3. Although efforts are made by developers to incorporate nature in suburbs, we must understand that true nature in man-made environments takes planning, nurturing and time. Attempts should be made to open up the strongly private gardens of each dwelling in the suburbs. These should not necessarily be made public but less insular and private. Complimentary to this, allowing greater access to the fields beyond developments and creating paths and trails through the natural environments would create a stronger access to nature. Alongside this, play for children should be enabled throughout the suburbs – and not assigned to a specific ‘play area’. Pedestrianizing and greater community spirit will help this such as in point 2.

[22]

Architects: Svendborg Architects Location: Blovstrod, Denmark Year: Ongoing The architects sought to try and find a true understanding of the context and landscape for the project. The proposals sit lightly on the earth and encorporate real nature with a large common meadow.

[23] Hagen Island by MVRDV, contemporary aesthetic, strongly linked to context and tradition

Home 1. We must device an aesthetic for our contemporary Scottish suburbs that is derived through historic and pastiche study. Complimentary to this, diversity in the aesthetics will give people greater confidence to imprint their own tastes and take ownership of the homes. The implimentation of exciting and engaging design that is unique to an areas traditions are real ambitions for this thesis. Regionalism is seen as an aesthetic solution to failed developments. 2. Materials and technologies used in houses should be innovative and modern (of our time). This is to enhance efficiency, sustainability and bolster the aesthetic discussed in point 1. Technology has had a detrimental affect on society, but at present this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully reflected in our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pasticheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homes. 3. There must be efforts made to diversify the housing typologies. This will allow not just for families to afford and occupy the homes but a mix of single people and others. A range of housing will enable a more mixed demographic and increase affordability.

[24]

Architects: FAT/Grayson Perry Location: Essex, England Year: 2015 A testimont to how architecture can have inherent symbolism, this house tells the story of a fictional woman - imagined by Grayson Perry. As one moves through the house, they learn more details about this woman and her life through the motifs and decor of the house.

Retrofit?

[25] Abstract programme models

What is meant by retrofit? Through this thesis a retrofit is seen as a form of forensic surgery onto an existing development. The work that will be done to an existing development has the ambition to prolong the lifespan of a development that might otherwise be fall into uninhabitable disrepair or be demolished. A programme of retrofitting will be undertaken to inject the characteristics discussed in the Solutions chapter.

Why retrofit over new-build? This is done as an inherently more sustainable, contextual and informed approach as this learns from lessons learnt from failed developments. The intention throughout the thesis is to place the study of housing design within the contemporary contexts. This is to look at ways of realistically implementing this new housing typology/aesthetic in a developer led sector. Architects often produce unrealistic ways of addressing the crisis. Retrofitting is proposed as a more realistic way as it is seen as more affordable and sustainable in the long term. Retrofitting is seen as the most economical way to address the issue.

[26]

Who are we retrofitting for? The retrofit designed through this thesis for a Scottish suburb is to suit a progressive demographic. The users would be those who are forward looking as a counterpoint to the “provincial, old-fashioned” political class often stereotypical of the suburbs and rural areas (Guardian, 2016, Andy Beckett, From Trump to Brexit…). The retrofit aims to bring “cosmopolitan urban values” to the suburbs and the new demographic associated with it. “Demographers project that most homebuyers in the net couple of decades will be empty-nest baby boomers or their single adult children… Those childless buyers won’t be in the market for traditional detached suburban homes.” (Montgomery: 2013)

What is the focus of the retrofit? Producing an aesthetic that is of time, place and self. The programme is supplimentary to this and is intended to nurture the aspiration of time, place and self aesthetics.

Phasing of retrofit and strategy of implimentation Through the design section of the thesis, a programme of implimentation of the retrofit will be implimented. The staggered process of rolling out this new model of suburbia will be outlined. The initial projects is intended as a prototype for the rest of the sector and for people to be aware of an alternative to the conventional.

[1]

[27]

Aesthetic

[28] Instinctive new aesthetic sketches

[29] Learning from Las Vegas style Robroyston cartoons

Pastiche matrix Abstraction of pastiche. A matrix of the pastiche of the selected suburb will be created in a tabular format. This is in order to clearly show abstractions to learn from and the symbolism behind the aesthetic. “The dictionary would resemble the giant catalogues which provide architects with information… but, rather than focusing as those do on mechanical performance and compliance to with building codes, it would expound on the expressive implications of every element in an architectural composition.” (De Botton, 2007: 97)

[30] Abstraction of pastiche models

[30] Rachel Whiteread, ‘House’

[31]

Site

[32] Satelite view of Robroyston

Site requirements and selection The initial site selection is Robroyston on the outskirts of Glasgow. A main reason for the selection is that this area shows evolution of Scottish suburbs through 20th century up to present day (seen overleaf). Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland so problems of suburbia may be felt worst here. The housing developments cultural and physically inept as illustrative of the country as a whole. The site overall has potential for infrastructural improvement. There is a very recent development that can be used to illustrate design principles for retrofitting. This has been taken as the testing site for the analysis, in order to gather if it may be suitable for a retrofit.

[33]

[34]

[35] Amenities

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

Conclusions

[40] Gordon Matta Clarke, Conical Insect (1975)

Ways forward to 5B and plan of action

I am only on the cusp of my aesthetic approach, having defined the programme fairly well. A key element to the thesis is this aesthetic, therefore I should be focussing on this over the coming weeks. This involves developing the pastiche matrix (requiring defined site selection), abstracting from local historic aesthetic and finding ways to combine the two. All of this while using contemporary materials and languages. Alongside this I shall be refining the programme of retrofit and continuing research into best practise case studies, both as retrofits and new build suburbs.

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