SCOTSTOUN REGENERATION PROJECT
The Scotstoun Development Scheme was a part of the Urban Design Studio’s initiative to make Glasgow more resilient by implementing New Localism principles. The project aimed to address the issue of limited access to essential services within a 15-minute walking distance, which became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The suburb of Scotstoun in the west of Glasgow was chosen for its potential to be transformed into a neighborhood model. The area has a fragmented urban form, with remnants of the industrial era and a lack of connectivity. The transportation infrastructure, which transformed over the last hundred years, has had a significant impact on the urban fabric of Scotstoun.
The project aimed to create a more resilient and connected neighborhood by enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The development scheme presented a unique opportunity to achieve this by transforming the area and improving its access to essential services. Ultimately, the project sought to make Scotstoun a model for other neighborhoods in Glasgow and beyond.
The industrial revolution had a significant impact on the urban fabric of Scotstoun. Within one hundred years, the area transformed from a plantation of the Viscount of Renfrew, Lord Montgomeire, to a major industrial port in the British Empire’s as a shipbuilding port, and currently a peaceful residential part of west of Glasgow.
The transportation infrastructure had the most significant impact on the area, with stagecoach routes converted to major tramways and now roads guiding the major corridors of the area. The presence of shipping companies led to a drastic increase in the population of Scotstoun, which in turn led to the development of different housing estates.
These six maps provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of Scotstoun, with a focus on the Diversity and Density of services, Street
Quality Assessment, and the Concept Map.
Through these studies, it was revealed that Dumbarton Road serves as the primary point of entry into the neighborhood, with several bus stops and a variety of services. The Street Quality Assessment highlighted a vibrant section of Dumbarton Road, which includes shops, cafes, medical facilities, and the highest concentration of residents. Interestingly, while the urban main roads have fewer services, they are all within walking distance.
Finally, the Concept Plan offers a complete picture of Scotstoun, revealing both areas of abundance and underdevelopment. The industrial zone was found to be the least developed area, with a fragmented fabric, limited services, poor street presence, and serving as a barrier to the Clyde.
The proposed strategies for the Scotstoun Development Scheme aim to create a cohesive community by connecting different areas with vibrant streets and offering a range of living, working, and recreational spaces in natural surroundings. Economic regeneration is a central focus of the proposed action strategies, which aim to create new homes, workplaces, and street characters for the large industrial zone. The proposed concept plan includes better public transit systems, traffic calming methods along Dumbarton Road, and ecological systems to support these changes.
The masterplan for the Industrial zone of Scotstoun proposes a mix of uses, including residential, cultural, social, commercial, and industrial, to address the spatial, economic, and connectivity problems within the area. Some buildings will be removed based on their appearance, relationship with the street, and economic potential, while others will be left in place and adapted for new functions based on their historic importance to the community.
The proposed development includes the creation of new local streets to improve connectivity within the zone and utilises the streets as an extension of living, with traffic calming methods employed to downgrade Dumbarton Road to an Urban Main Street and upgrade South Street to a Local Main street. The streets also aid in connecting the ecological networks, including the constructed wetland along the Clyde.
The Regulatory Plan consists of two parts, the Street and Plot Plan, and the Plot Passport. The Street and Plot Plan reproduces and details the street and plot design from the Masterplan, while the Plot Passport outlines the spatial, geometrical, and functional requirements for each plot. The Regulatory Plan creates a code index based on the Local Urban Code’s guidance and applies it to the transformation areas of the Masterplan. This enables each plot to have specific parameters and options defined, ensuring the plan’s spatial and functional requirements are met.
POLYCENTRIC HUB IN MAKINDYE
This project aims to create a new urban hub in Salama, an underprivileged area in Kampala, Uganda. By integrating polycentric hubs within the city’s peripheries, the project seeks to relieve pressure on the central business district and improve service delivery. The site and its surrounding were part of the greater Murchison Bay water catchment area of Lake Victoria, but over the past decade, it has been transformed into a place of various activities like farming, brick and craft making, commerce, and informal settlements. The project comprises a three-phase development plan that focuses on clay mining, community-based services, and housing. The aim is to create a self-sufficient community that thrives with minimum external interference and evolves over time to meet the needs of the people. This new hub is expected to be a model for new urban developments within the capital, with a design that integrates nature and the community’s needs.
The development plan for the hub comprises three phases: Phase 1 focuses on clay mining and brick making, with the factory serving as the main form of employment and raw materials for community building. The factory is designed with a permanent brick base and a temporary iron sheeting facade.
Phase 2 centers around community-based services, including a community center and expandable marketplace with a modular design. The community center provides multifunctional spaces for skill learning and enhancement.
Phase 3 involves shutting down the factory and ceasing clay mining, allowing the wetland to regenerate and converting the factory into housing.
The project aims to ignite a new urban hub that will be a model for new urban developments within Kampala, promoting a more integrated and sustainable urban structure that reduces congestion and improves service delivery.
The Govan district in Glasgow, Scotland, has a history linked to religion and industry but has experienced economic decline in recent decades resulting in high unemployment and crime rates. To regenerate the area, the Unit developed a series of masterplans that included varying typologies to create a vibrant and densified urban community. As part of this regeneration effort, the Glasgow Climbing Centre was proposed as a central activity node located further south to draw crowds through paved green walkways.
The Climbing Centre is a 10-story tower that offers different climbing activities, including bouldering, with unobstructed views of climbers in the main climbing hall. It also features fitness and conditioning spaces with a great view of the climbers.
The building’s main structural core comprises four reinforced concrete walls that form the core to which the metal truss systems tie onto, and steel latticed columns spanning 60 meters in height, which are tied together with steel beams and tension cables to resist various forces.
The Climbing Centre is expected to be a landmark in the regenerated district of Govan, drawing people and announcing its presence in the area. The project reflects the Unit’s approach to regeneration, which integrates new typologies with existing urban patterns to create a vibrant and revitalized community.
GLASGOW CLIMBING CENTRE
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ACADEMIC PROJECTDETAIL LEGEND
GARNETHILL BREAD OVEN
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT VOLUNTEER PROJECT
The Garnethill Bread Oven project is a community-led initiative that aims to promote social integration and bring people together through the construction and regular use of a communal bread oven in Garnethill Park. The project was carried out by different groups of volunteers from the local community and various organizations, including the Friends of Garnethill Greenspace (FROGGS) Glasgow City Heritage Trust, the Glasgow School of Art, and the University of Strathclyde.
The project consists of three main parts: the proposal for the construction of a communal brick oven, the trialling of pop-up bread baking events, and the construction and regular use of the permanent bread oven. The construction phase was divided into two parts, with materials for the oven’s construction being donated by the Glasgow School of Art from the restoration of an old school building. The oven itself is a double brick arch oven built on a table height concrete surface supported on gabions, with the interior brick arch being made of fire bricks to ensure efficient heat distribution and retention. The oven is also covered by a timber-framed roof structure to protect it from the elements.
The project has brought together a mix of residents and community activists, including volunteers from the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Strathclyde, to build a communal space that will attract people to the park and provide an opportunity for social interaction and integration. The bread oven is expected to become a focal point for the community, with people coming together to share bread and pizza dough and participate in communal baking events. The project is an excellent example of how volunteer-led initiatives can bring about positive change and promote social cohesion within a community.
THE YES CENTRE
The Youth Encounter the Saviour Centre is a dedicated hub for young people in the Kampala Archdiocese, serving the Kampala, Wakiso, and Mpigi districts. The center offers a wide range of organized institutional programs and activities, including physical activities such as music, dance, and academic arts like vocational skills training, crafts, and theater. Additionally, the center provides opportunities for structured sports activities, both indoor and outdoor, including badminton, volleyball, video games, football, tennis, and swimming.
THE BOX CENTRE
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ACADEMIC PROJECT
The Hospitality and Welcome Center at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, is an innovative meeting place for students and visitors alike. The center boasts versatile multipurpose halls, a fully-equipped library, and a stylish restaurant and bar. In line with the university’s values of sustainability, the design concept focuses on the principles of recycling and eco-friendliness. The building’s main structure comprises modular shipping containers, accented with other natural materials such as timber and paper, resulting in a contemporary and distinctive design that’s both functional and environmentally conscious.
DEVELOPMENT ON CIRCULAR ROAD
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WORK PROJECT
The proposed development on Circular Road is a modern, Zanzibar-inspired threestory building with a swimming pool and parking yard.
The building includes three maisonettes and a penthouse, with the maisonettes featuring common areas on the ground floor and self-contained bedrooms on the upper floor.
Each maisonette is 150m2, while the penthouse is 450m2 with breathtaking views of the lake and golf course. The swimming pool is childproofed, and the building is designed for natural ventilation and internal comfort.
RESIDENTIAL HOUSE IN AKRIGHT CITY
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WORK PROJECT
This two-storied Spanish villa was designed for luxurious living. This house boasts an impressive architectural style, featuring arches, a central courtyard, and traditional Spanish design elements.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the stunning courtyard, setting the tone for the rest of the property. The arches and intricate details throughout the villa create an air of elegance and timeless beauty, exemplifying the exceptional quality of the design.
The villa’s spacious, well-lit and airy interior provides the ultimate in comfortable living experiences. The second floor of the house is complemented by a balcony, overlooking the courtyard, affording its resident’s a peaceful and relaxing home.
The housing development in Munyonyo comprises three seven-story buildings and a guest house, designed to cater to a variety of homeowners. Each maisonette boasts modern finishes and spacious layouts, with an emphasis on maximizing natural light and indoor-outdoor flow. The building is raised on pilotis, with the ground floor dedicated to parking, providing easy access for residents. The units also feature private balconies, creating an intimate outdoor space for relaxation or entertainment. The development includes a communal garden, swimming pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center, creating a luxurious living experience.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN MUNYONYO
RESIDENTIAL HOUSE IN LUBOWA
Associated Architects were brought in mid-construction to transform an existing shell into a stunning new building. The goal was to create a modern, open-concept living space that maximised the available square footage. The floorplans were redesigned, incorporated sustainable materials, and updated the façade to give the building a fresh and contemporary look.
Large fenestrations were installed to bring in natural light and connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. We also worked on the landscaping to enhance the overall look of the property.
The project was so successful that the following year, we designed a rental annex for the property. The annexe consists of three two-bedroom duplexes on a sloped hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
The team is proud to have transformed an outdated and uninspired space into a beautiful and functional home that truly reflects the needs and style of its owners, while also providing a modern rental option for others in the community.
LOW COST HOUSING IN KAKIRI
This is a low-cost housing development in Kakiri aimed at providing affordable housing for families in need. The project includes four different housing types, including 1-bedroom houses, 2-bedroom houses (in two different designs), and 3-bedroom bungalows. Each housing unit is designed to be functional, livable, and affordable.
The development will include communal spaces and amenities in the next phase, such as green spaces, community gardens, and playgrounds for children. The project is designed to promote a sense of community and encourage social interaction among residents in the Wakiso district.
Future plans for the project include the addition of communal spaces and amenities, such as green areas, community gardens, and playgrounds for children, to promote a strong sense of community and encourage social interaction among residents in the Wakiso district. These communal spaces will be designed to enhance the residents’ quality of life and provide them with a sense of belonging to a thriving and supportive community.