Blythswood and the Block by Taina Lund-Ricard

Taina Lund-Ricard 201046888

Blythswood and the Block

321

The Role of the Plot in the Evolution of a Blythswood Urban Block over the Last Two Hundred Years

321

Abstract

Glasgow is a fine example of the British

years this area has undergone little changes at

owners that has allowed the block to continue

industrial city. Its many architectural and socio-

a macro-level. The street layout and urban form

thriving today.

economic historical peaks and troughs as

have remained largely untouched whilst other

In architectural and urban design,

well as its never ending thirst for reinvention

parts of the city have been redeveloped again

the act of creation is often considered as a

has made the city a fascinating subject of

and again. It has proven an inherent resilience

completed and final act, however it is essential

study. Much has been written about the early

in its capacity to adapt over time. The macro-

that it be considered as the starting point to

mercantile success, the urban decline of

processes which have led to this grid being

local history. The vast amount of unnamed

the post-industrial era, the often short-lived

laid out give a preliminary understanding of

authors of change which have acted over time

modernist transformations of the post war era

this area but it is at the micro-level that the real

upon said block, and allowed it to remain useful

and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s present day regeneration. It is

interest lies. One block within the Blythswood

and relevant, are just as important if not more

natural to be drawn to the dramatic changes

grid, chosen for the varying urban contexts it

than the specific and original act of creation.

that a city has undergone to understand the

addresses, has evolved from rows of Victorian

The study of the block will highlight the post-

successes and failings of a city, however there

town-houses in the late 1820s to offices, stores

design processes which have allowed a piece

is much to learn from the parts of the city that

and art centres in 2016. Breaking down that

of urban form to continuously accommodate

have changed very little in appearance since

evolution into six stages, the analysis of the

new desires and necessities over the last two

their early development and have successfully

incremental changes of one block over the

hundred years.

absorbed the ever changing needs of the city

course of its existence will teach plenty about

at a piecemeal speed.

the technical content of its ground floor which

The western part of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s town centre

has allowed it to accommodate, enhance and

was laid out in the early 19th century and forms

maintain over the last two hundred years a

Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest gridded development: The

sufficient level of informal participation. It is

Blythswood New Town. In the last two hundred

that informal participation of its many users and 5

321

Acknowledgements

In producing this dissertation, I would like to express thanks to my dissertation advisor Sergio Porta, head of the UDSU Department at Strathclyde University, as well as Gordon Barbour, PhD researcher at UDSU for their guidance and assistance. A huge thank you to the staff of the Mitchell Library Archives who indulged my gradual demand for the totality of all archived plans relating to this study. Thank you to John Brown for his insight. Thank you to my mother and father for their editorial support. Thank you to Tim Quicke for his never ending kindness.

321

Contents

Abstract

.................................. 5

Acknowledgements Contents

............... 7

................................. 9

List of Figures and Images 1.

Introduction

The Origins of the Glasgow Grid

2.1

Private Speculation

2.2

Similarities to Edinburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Town

3. 3.1

Blythswoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Structuring Elements

2.4

Aesthetic constrains

.. 37

Lessons

4.1

The Victorian Housing Unit

...... 82

4.2

Block subdivision: The plot

...... 83

4.3

The Incremental Nature of Change

....... 86

4.4

Plot-based Urbanism

................................. 81

Cartographic Study of the Evolution of the Block

......... 39

3.2

A Walk Around the Block

......... 48

3.3

In depth study of the block in Forty Year Increments

... 54

3.3.1

The Later Georgian and Early Victorian House: 1820-1859

... 54

4.5

Scottish Legislation

3.3.2

Expansion and de-residentialisation: 1860-1899

. 62

Conclusion

3.3.3

The merging of plots: 1900-1939

. 66

3.3.4

Infilling: 1940-1979

3.3.5

Amalgamation and open plan spaces: 1980-Present day

..... 11

............................ 17

2.3

Evolution of an Urban Block on the Glasgow Grid

.... 23

Bibliography

............. 88 ............... 91

............................. 93 .......................... 95

................. 24 .................. 70

.... 28

............ 31

.... 74

Extended Reading List Appendix

................. 34

.......... 97

................................ 99

321

List of Figures and Images All work by the author will be referenced as

Fix 5.

Fig 9.

such by the abbreviation TLR.

1782: Survey of Glasgow by James Barry

1768: James Craig’s prize winning plan for the

(Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982,

New Town of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing Company)

(Edinburgh World Heritage: http://www.ewht.

Fig 1.

org.uk/learning/Athens/the-new-town-plan)

Cover: Evolution of the studied block’s plots over two hundred years (TLR)

Fig 6. 1804: Denholm’s map with the eight gridded

Fig 10.

Fig 2.

blocks of Trades Town south of the Clyde

1808: Flemming’s Map of Glasgow

Present day: Aerial view of Glasgow with the

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 7.

Fig 11.

1969: Aerial photo of the construction of the

Topographic map of Blythswood’s hill

Fig 3.

inner ring road, now M8, west of Blythswood

( h t t p : / / w w w. f l o o d m a p . n e t / E l e v a t i o n /

Present day: Noli plan of Glasgow with the

(Hidden Glasgow Forum: hiddenglasgow.com)

ElevationMap/?gi=2648579)

block in red and four numbered reference

Fig 8.

Fig 12.

points (TLR)

A plan of the Campbells’ property feuing

View generated by the relationship between

records indicating numerous blocks as feued

Blythswood’s grid and topography; looking

to Mr. William Harley (Mitchell Library Archives)

south looking down Blythswood Street (TLR)

studied block in red (Google maps with annotation by TLR)

Blythswood New Town highlighted, the studied

Fig 4. 1960: Plan submitted as part of the planning permission for 193 Bath Street

Fig 13.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Blythswood New Town block with lane (TLR)

Fig 14.

Fig 18.

Fig 23.

Edinburgh New Town block with lane and

1804: Denholm’s map with Blythswood’s

Present day: Noli plan of Glasgow with the

mews (TLR)

Structuring Elements in red

Blythswood New Town highlighted, the studied

(Mitchell Library Archives, annotated by TLR)

block in red and four numbered reference points (TLR)

Fig 15. Edinburgh’s

single-family

homes:

Hillside

Fig 19.

Crescent, No. 11; and Nos. 12-14 (demolished)

1806: Map of Glasgow with the Blythswood

Fig 24.

(Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982,

Estate’s apparent orthogonal field pattern

1821: Map of Glasgow

Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing Company)

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 16.

Fig 20.

Fig 25.

Blythswood single-family homes: Douglas

1818: Map of Glasgow with initial streets laid

1820: Gridded plan with indication of land

Street’s stepped gable to gable single-family

out over the Blythswood Estate

feued to Mr. Harley with the intention of forming

houses (Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow

(Mitchell Library Archives)

a square (Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 21.

Fig 26.

Grid, 1982, Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing Company)

Facade

architectural

ensemble

onto

1822: Map of Glasgow

Blythswood Square (TLR)

(Mitchell Library Archives)

(Urban Glasgow Archives:

Fig 22.

Fig 27.

h t t p : / / u r b a n g l a s g o w. c o . u k / a r c h i v e / t h e -

Architectural results of the grid placed on

1825: Map of Glasgow

glasgow-tenement__o_t__t_1481.html)

Blythswood’s steep hill (TLR)

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 17. The Glasgow tenement: Queens Park

Fig 28. 1826: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives) 12

Fig 29.

Fig 34.

Fig 41.

1828: Map of Glasgow

1847: Illustrated view NW from Blythswood

Photograph of the block’s north façade, Bath

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Square - Pagan

Street (TLR)

(Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982, Fig 30.

Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing Company)

Location of the block within Blythswood’s street

1832: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 42.

network (TLR)

Fig 35. 1860: Map of Glasgow

Fig 31.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 43. Art Nouveau inset pedimented door piece by

1833: Feuing plan indicating Mr. Harley has

Mackintosh on south elevation (TLR)

feud the land north of Blythswood Square

Fig 36.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

1896: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 44. Photo of Bath Street’s Elevation highlighting

Fig 32.

rhythmic changes (TLR)

1839: Map of Glasgow

Fig 37.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

1913: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 45. Elevations of the studied block’s south; west;

Fig 33.

north and east façades (TLR)

1844: Plan exhibiting un-feued plots of the

Fig 38.

Blythswood Estate

1934: Map of Glasgow

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Fig 46.

Fig 39. Photograph of the block’s south façade

Present day ground floor uses of the studied

looking through Blythswood Square (TLR)

block (TLR)

Fig 40.

Fig 47.

Photograph of the block’s south façade (TLR)

Photographs of Bath Lane (TLR)

Fig 48.

Fig 54.

Fig 59.

Hierarchy of urban spaces surrounding the

1820-1825: Ground Floor Plan

1860-1899: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are

block (TLR)

(In grey are indicated built area for which a

indicated built area for which a ground floor

ground floor plan was not retrievable for that

plan was not retrievable for that time period)

Fig 49.

time period)

1826: Map of Glasgow

(Information gathered from the Mitchell Library

Fig 60.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Archives and illustrated by TLR)

1860-1899: Built Footprint (TLR)

Fig 50.

Fig 55.

Fig 61.

1825: Numbered plots

1820-1825: Built Footprint (TLR)

1900-1939: Numbered plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

(with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR) Fig 56. Fig 51.

Variation of the interior layout of the Victorian

Fig 62.

1825: Built Footprint (TLR)

housing units of the block with entrances and

1900-1939: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are

vertical circulation in red (TLR)

indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that time period)

Fig 52.

(TLR)

1839: Map of Glasgow

Fig 57.

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Portrait of Madeleine Hamilton Smith (https://illuminatedlettersproject.wordpress.

Fig 63.

Fig 53.

com/archive/on-the-shelves-of-glasgow-

1900-1939: Built Footprint (TLR)

1820-1825: Numbered plots

womens-library/madeleine-hamilton-

(with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

smith-1835-1928)

Fig 64. 1940-1979: Numbered plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Fig 58. 1860-1899: Plot Definition (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR) 14

Fig 65. 1940-1979: Ground Floor Plan (TLR)

Fig 66.

Fig 73.

Fig 79.

1940-1979: Built Footprint (TLR)

Entrance of plot 15 moved to Blythswood

Photographs of the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiple entrance

Street (TLR)

points; (TLR)

1980-Present day: Numbered plots

Fig 74.

Fig 80.

(with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Stunted exit door onto Blythswood Street (TLR)

Gradual densification of the block over the last

Fig 67.

two hundred years (in 40 year increments) (TLR)

Fig 68.

Fig 75.

1980-Present day: Ground Floor Plan

Art Gallery on plot 17 (TLR) Fig 81.

(In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that

Fig 76.

1924: Le Corbusierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ville Radieuse urban

time period)

Comparative data about the transformation of

model rejecting the street (Fondation Le

the urban block (TLR)

Corbusier)

Fig 77.

Fig 82.

1820-1825 Plot Definition and 1980-Present

Plot-based street scape - Copenhagen

day Plot Definition (TLR)

(Jan Gehl)

Fig 78.

Fig 83.

Fig 69. 1980-Present day: Built Footprint

Fig 70. Bath Lane car parking area (TLR)

Fig 71.

November

Retained bay window at the rear of plot 8 (TLR)

resignation

1818-July by

1819:

Archibald

Charter

Photo by George Steinmetz of a residential

Campbell

section of Stuyvesant Heights in Brooklyn

Blythswood in favour of William Harley,

(http://www.anastasia-photo.com/george-

Fig 72.

manufacturer in Glasgow (Mitchell Library

steinmetz-new-york-air)

Entrance of plot 15 removed from Bath Street

Archives) with transcription of the hand written

(TLR)

text (TLR)

321

Introduction In the early 19th century, the Blythswood

designed and what was left undesigned.

Next, the study will hone in on one block within

estate, a large property west of Glasgow’s town

The principle aim of this dissertation

that grid to understand its evolution within its

centre, was the heart of a vast and gridded

is to understand the technical content of the

urban context. The studied block will be further

urban extension. [Fig. 2] The development

urban form which has allowed an urban block

introduced by a walk around the urban element

model of the grid finds itself between the organic

and the Blythswood New Town as a whole to

as it exists today, gathering a multitude of fine-

and mostly unplanned early city developments

accommodate a sufficient level of informal

grain information. Having laid out an overview

and the modernist Garden City and Radiant

participation to remain relevant today. Informal

of the block in its context, a detailed study of

City models of the 20th Century in that it was

participation is the gradual and piecemeal

the block’s ground floor in forty year increments

rationally planned with the street as its focus.

changes that are brought upon by different

will bring forth the elements necessary to

Over the last two centuries, many parts of the

entities, individual, collective or organisational

explain the block’s innate ability to transform

city have undergone radical transformations

on their physical environment (Bondenschatz

so successfully. The lessons drawn from this

and nearly continuous redevelopment, the

et al, 2014; 12). Starting as a purely residential

study cover the key elements of the block’s

Blythswood New Town on the other hand, has

block, it has evolved to accomodate offices,

adaptability and the importance of incremental

remained almost identical in appearance to

stores, art galleries and centres. Informal

change over vast periods of time. Plot based

when it was first developed. This traditional

participation has been key in the ability of

urbanism will be argued as key to successful

planning model has demonstrated an admirable

said block to adapt to the changing needs

urban spaces and the limitations of Scottish

capacity to accommodate incremental changes

and desires of its users whilst remaining a

legislation

brought forth by its users over the last two

successful element of the streets it fronts, the

highlighted.

centuries. Something inherent to its structure

neighbourhood it belongs to and Glasgow as a

has permitted this part of the city to transform

whole.

shaping

urbanity

will

The compilation and study of historical Glasgow maps as well as archived documents

The

The paper will start by explaining

from the Campbell family, owners of the

components responsible for this adaptability

the origins and the economic, physical and

Blythswood Estate have permitted an overview

will be underlined with a focus on what was

aesthetic constraints of the Blythswood grid.

of the macro evolution of the Blythswood New

and

thrive

seemingly

uninterrupted.

Town over the last two centuries. A more in-

element to the effective and slow transformation

depth understanding has been permitted

of the studied block. The information gathered

through the study of analytical works of the

through the ground floor study was then

Blythswood grid by Reed (2006) and Walker

paralleled to works by researchers such as

(1982).

Conzen (1960), Moudon (1986), Bondenschatz After

understanding

the

historical,

et al (2014), and Tarbatt (2012) in an attempt to

that

clarify the findings. Further works by Carmona

have shaped the layout and evolution of

(2010), Gehl (2006), Lynch (1972) and

the Blythswood New Town, an urban block

Paneira (2004) have also been referenced.

was selected for a morphological study. It

was deemed of particular interest because it

streets and buildings was used to explain the

addresses a variety of different urban contexts.

divergence from plot-based urbanism in the

[Fig. 3] Preliminary observations through

20th century. Scottish governmental urban

site visits and visual representations such as

design guidance tools such as By Design

pictures and elevational drawings were used

and Designing Streets have been looked at

to gather fine-grain information about the block in

to understand their successes and limits in

its present context. The exhaustive compilation

shaping

of every archived planning permission at the

conclusions from the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adaptability

Mitchell Library and Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online planning

and the patterns that have emerged over

portal has permitted the drafting of the ground

time is crucial to understand the elements

floor of said block in forty year increments

required for the successful design of cities.

spanning from the early 1820s when it was first

Studying its changes at a macro level (area

built up to present day. [Fig. 4] A detailed analysis

wide) and micro level (study of the ground

Opposite:

revealed a fascinating amount of information

floor of one urban block) allows an in-depth

Fig 2. Present day: Google map aerial view of the

relating to the flexibility of its built form.

understanding of the incremental nature of

The plot was found to be a crucial

change in successful urban environments.

economic

and

physical

constraints

Corbusierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

(1925;1927)

prosporous

opinion

places.

Drawing

Blythswood New Town in Glasgow. Its evolution over the last two centuries will be studied. The red rectangle surrounds the block that will be considered in detail.

Opposite: Fig 3. Present day: Noli plan of Glasgow with the Blythswood New Town highlighted, the studied block in red and four numbered reference points: 1: Blythswood Square 2: George Square 3: Central Station 4: The River Clyde Current page: Fig 4. 1960: Plan submitted as part of a planning permission request for 193 Bath Street - The narrowness of the structure is characteristic of the original planning. (Mitchell Library Archives)

Top: Fix 5. 1782: Survey of Glasgow by James Barry (Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982, Edinburgh, Mainstream Publishing Company) Bottom: Fig 6. 1804: Denholmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s map with the eight gridded blocks of Trades Town south of the Clyde (Mitchel Library Archives)

321

The Origins of the Glasgow Grid

Up until the later part of the 18th century, Glasgow had evolved more or less organically, developing along its main axes: High Street and Argyle Street. In 1782, a survey [Fig. 5] of the city by James Barry shows evidence of a new orthogonal organisation north of the city with the layout of George Square. Barry “creates the open space of George Square at the centre of the new residential quarter, clearly envisages later expansion north and west, and seems to anticipate the possibility of a regularised relation back east to the medieval city.” This move radically alters the “sociospatial ordering of the city fabric” and opens the possibility for greater gridded developments (Reed, 2006; 33). By 1791, on the southern bank of the Clyde, along the existing rectilineal field patterns of the old village of Gorbals, a gridded development of eight blocks emerged under the name of Trades Town [Fig. 6]. The grid was now apparent on opposite fringe locations of the city and was quick to spread to 23

the west and south of the city. In

the

early

19th

2.1 Century,

Private Speculation

the

Blythswood Estate (west of Glasgow’s centre)

In the early 1800s, the Glasgow City

was divided into a crisscross of roads and lanes

Magistrates, having acquired the lands of

and became the largest example of a gridded

Meadowflat which sat between the existing

development in the city. This strict urban form,

town and the Blythswood Estate, began to

applied to the area’s undulating landscape, has

extend westward the grid lines established by

changed very little on the macro scale during

George Square’s New Town. It was west of the

the last two centuries. Unlike vast expanses

Meadowflat lands, on the 470 acre Blythswood

of the southern grid, it was spared during the

Estate, that Glasgow’s second new town, the

Comprehensive Redevelopment Act of 1957;

counterpart of Edinburgh’s much celebrated

all but its western edge which was entirely

New Town, was to be erected.

demolished and radically altered to allow the

This large development was not led

introduction of the inner ring road project, now

by the city as a civic enterprise but as private

known as the M8 motorway [Fig. 7] (Scott et al,

speculation by Major Archibald Campbell and

1965). Because of its permanence it has been

his family and trustees. Being the outright

selected as a logical place in which to study

owner, the decision was taken by him to freely

incremental urban changes in Glasgow.

feu off the Blythswood Annexation lands quickly making increasingly profitable transactions. Feus were the most common form of land tenure in Scotland and consisted of divided ownership where both vassal and superior(s) were regarded as owners of the same piece of land. Superiors had power to enforce “burdens” Fig 7. 1969: Aerial photo of the construction of the inner ring road, now M8, west of Blythswood (Hidden Glasgow Forum: hiddenglasgow.com) 24

or restrictions as to how the land was used. One piece of land multiplied its superiors with every

new sale. Scots law remained dominated by

street plan. Indeed, feus granted in March and

feudalism until the Abolition of Feudal Tenure

April 1803, some three months or so before

was passed in the year 2000 (Steven, 2004).

Harley’s first record of property purchase,

By 1849 and in only fifty years the Campbell’s

already define rectangular plots on the north

annual rental income had risen by more than

and south of the property effectively indicating

11,000% (Walker, 1982; 177).

prior implementation of an urban grid (Walker,

The

Campbells

flourished

and

1982; 176).

developments went ahead. William Harley, a

To understand the origin of the grid,

merchant in Glasgow, is recorded again and

it is the legal provisions and prohibitions of

again in the Campbell’s earliest records of

entail that need to be studied. In 1738, Colin

property feuing in 1800, right up to 1910 [Fig.8].

Campbell of Blythswood had entailed the family

He quickly became the dominant proprietor

estate, limiting the inheritance of property over

of a majority of the available plots, including

a number of generations so that ownership

those forming the block chosen for study in the

would remain within the core family lineage,

second part of this essay. Harley was greatly

that way ensuring that it could not be divided

admired for this enterprise and often credited

and sold off after his death. Just over half a

for the quality of the Blythswood development.

century later, these restrictions had become

A generation later, an article by the journalist

unbearable for the heirs. To allow the feuing of

Senex in The Glasgow Herald wrote:

the Blythswood estate located within Glasgow’s

“…he hastily laid off and improved the whole

desired expansion and finally exploit its

of the grounds which he had feued. In short,

financial potential, the Campbells succeeded

Mr Harley may be considered as the founder

in implementing a private Act of Parliament in

of the present New Town of Glasgow upon the

1792 which annulled the restrictions of entail.

Annexation lands” (Walker, 1982; 176). Fig 8. A plan of the Campbells’ property feuing records

However it is doubtful that Harvey

indicating numerous blocks as feued to Mr. William

participated or influenced the lay out of the

Harley, the dominant proprietor. (Mitchell Library Archives) 25

That same year, a brief entry is found in the

first new town [Fig. 9] between 1766-1767

John Campbell of Blythswood that same year

Council Act Book Minutes authorising

(Walker, 1982; 176). Unfortunately no plans of

as well as the logistics of having to deal with

the Blythswood New Town have been found

the large family mansion located in the east of

employ Mr Craig, architect in Edinburgh, to

signed by his name and no records prior to

the property (Reed, 2006; 34).

make a plan of the ground of Meadowflat for

1800 are available. Indeed all of the available

Flemming’s 1808 map [Fig. 10] clearly

building ground, as Mr Craig is employed

plans were drawn at a subsequent time by the

indicates the very strict and regular grid form

by the Colonel Campbell of Blythswood to

estate surveyor William Kyle. Although the

laid out over the Blythswood estate. This was a

make a plan of his building ground in the

scale of the defined plan is radically reduced

far more expansive and thorough organisation

neighbourhood of Meadowflat, and it will be

within the context of Glasgow, similarities

of land than anything that had previously

attended with considerable advantage to have

between Craig’s Edinburgh plan and the street

been established in Glasgow. Although the

the streets upon the two grounds uniform and

network of Blythswood are evident.

dimensions of the blocks are similar to those

“…the

lord

provost

and

magistrates

James Craig passed away in 1795,

pre-existing near George Square and Trades

As Walker points out, this must surely

some ten years before the layout of the

Town (approximately 250 feet by 200 feet),

be referencing James Craig (1744-95) the

Blythswood estate. This divergence in time is

important differences hint strongly at an

architect responsible for the plan of Edinburgh’s

most likely explained by the death of Colonel

influence from Edinburgh and its new town

corresponding to each other” (Walker, op cit).

architect James Craig.

Opposite: Fig 9. 1768: James Craig’s prize winning plan for the New Town of Edinburgh - The same architect has likely planned Glasgow’s Blythswood New Town (Edinburgh World Heritage: http://www.ewht.org.uk/learning/Athens/the-new-townplan) Above: Fig 10. 1808: Flemming’s Map of Glasgow depicting the large scale geometric planning of the new city, west and south of Glasgow’s historical center (Mitchell Library Archives) 27

2.2

Similarities to Edinburgh’s New Town

First of all, as Walker points out, the Blythswood estate finds itself on a dramatic hill [Fig.11] with the grid drawn through it, seemingly oblivious to these changes in altitude (Walker, 1982; 179). Upon further inspection, a response to this geographical constraint is clear in the width of the streets. In the eastwest direction, where the slope is gentler, the streets are generally wider. In the north-south direction, where the slope becomes more drastic, the streets become narrower. The steeper streets are shorter, the more gradual slopes longer and more leisured. This creates a more enjoyable and accessible street layout for carriages and pedestrians whilst also opening up views through the city [Fig. 12]. Blythswood Square is at the highest point. Although Edinburgh’s new town has much larger blocks and a more dominant axis of movement, it is also placed on a hill with a precise orthogonal layout over it (Reed, 2006; 37). Fig 11. Topographic map of Blythswood’s hill overlooking the historical center by more than 50 meters. (Floodmap: http://www.floodmap.net/Elevation/ ElevationMap/?gi=2648579) 28

importantly,

the

Blythswood

N development draws a series of parallel service

lanes through almost every block [Fig. 13]. The lanes differentiate this area from the rest

of Glasgow and echo Edinburgh’s new town. N

Although the blocks in Craig’s Edinburgh

plan are some four times larger and allow the addition of sophisticated mews arrangements [Fig. 14], the blocks on the Blythswood estate offer a similar but reduced complexity of block (Walker, 1982; 180). Center: Fig 13. Blythswood New Town block with lane reproducing at smaller scale the pattern of Edinburgh New town (see Fig 14) (Googlemaps and TLR)

Above: Fig 12: Looking south down Blythswood Street

Above:

View generated by the relationship between Blythswood’s

Fig 14. Edinburgh New Town block with lane and mews

grid and topography

(Googlemaps and TLR) 29

The streets were feued in phases to

have successfully evolved from predominantly

found [Fig. 15; 16; 17]. The relationship of street

ensure completion of blocks and definition

upper-class residential suburbs to mixed-use

network to the hill with the predominating south

of public space. The plots fronting Charlotte

town cores (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 97).

and north facing terraces and service lanes and

Square in Edinburgh and Blythswood Square

Finally and perhaps most noticeably,

the architectural organisational pattern of the

in Glasgow were developed first to ensure a

the block and court arrangement of the flatted

stepped gable to gable aggregations of single-

coherent city expansion. Today Edinburgh’s New

tenement which would in due course become

family homes are all evocative to some degree

Town and Glasgow’s Blythswood New Town

Glasgow’s archetypal building is scarcely to be

of James Craig’s plan (Walker, 1982;184).

Fig

15.

Edinburgh’s

single-family

homes:

Hillside

Fig 16. Blythswood single-family homes: Douglas Street’s

Fig 17. The Glasgow tenement: Queens Park

Crescent, No. 11; and Nos. 12-14 (demolished)

stepped gable to gable single-family houses

(Urban Glasgow Archives: http://urbanglasgow.co.uk/

(Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982, Edinburgh,

Mainstream Publishing Company)

Mainstream Publishing Company) 30

archive/the-glasgow-tenement__o_t__t_1481.html)

2.3

Blythswood Structuring Elements

Blythswood’s layout was constrained by some existing structuring elements, defined by Moudon as those “recurring physical elements that define a place” (Moudon, 1986; 89). “Two long, roughly parallel but widely separated routes crossed the estate from east to west: In the north Sauchyhall [sic.] Road and in the south Anderson Walk or Argyle Street. At right angles to these running south to north was Buchanan Street in the city’s Meadowflat land on the eastern edge of the Blythswood estate, extending the south and north limits of George Square, the beginning of St Vincent Street and West George Street (then Camperdown Place)

had

been

planned”

[Fig.

18]

(Walker, 1982; 177).

Fig 18. 1804: Denholm’s map with Blythswood’s Structuring Elements in red (Mitchell Library Archives) 31

In a 1806 map of Glasgow [Fig. 19], the existing field pattern of the estate land also indicates a preexisting orthogonal layout oriented in a north-south/east-west manner which would have readily adapted to a new street grid. That this alignment coincided with the co-ordinates of the urban form already established in the expanding city around George Square was perhaps fortuitous; at any rate, all of these pre-existing constraints would have influenced the final layout of the grid. Ultimately, this layout would have also been the most efficient way to feu land. By 1818, existing streets including St Vincent Street, West George Street, West Regent Street, Bath Street and Sauchiehall

Fig 19. 1806: Map of Glasgow with the Blythswood Estateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apparent orthogonal field pattern (Mitchell Library Archives) 32

Street had been extended westward and new unnamed streets laid out parallel to Buchanan Street to form a grid [Fig. 20]. Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and the rectilinear George Square contain and structure the grid. This initial map draws large blocks, often twice as long as they are wide. These will later be subdivided by new north/south running streets. Interestingly,

two

diagonal

streets

have been drawn in the lower portion of the Blythswood Estate. The dramatic angle portrayed does not exist today. Later plans indicate a much softer angle in an effort to retain to rigidity of the grid. One can assume the strong diagonals were an artistic liberty of the surveyor in direct response to the hilly topography of the area.

Fig 20. 1818: Map of Glasgow with initial streets laid out over the Blythswood Estate (Mitchell Library Archives) 33

of greater architectural discipline. Individual

for “a superior who has been heir of entail in

terrace house feus were considered as an

possession retains the right to enforce building

coherent

ensemble with an overriding palace-front

restrictions after he has become fee simple

townscape in the Blythswood New Town

formula. Blythswood Square is contained

proprietor” (Walker, 1982; 183). A compatibility

developed along the parallel streets of Bath

by continuous housing with porched end-

between the new extension and the existing

Street, West Regent Street, West George

row houses on the corners to assert pavilion

city was that way retained. The wideness

Street and St Vincent Street. On the eastern

terminations to the terraced block [Fig. 21]. On

of streets, the materiality of pavements,

edge of the development, along the slowly

Bath Street, this approach was elaborated to

the heights of buildings were all controlled

rising hill slope, step “two or three-storey-

include centre emphasis. Its most successful

to allow a continuity between old and new.

and-basement terrace houses”. Each block

expression was at Adelaide Place where “the

is divided into more or less regular feues

addition of pilasters and pediment cast a

built up with rather grave Georgian façades

grander mansion-house mantle over terraced

in blond sandstone forming a harmonious

living” (Reed, 2006; 39). The terraced house

and continuous streetscape. “Legal strictures

remained the preferred residential building

written into the property titles exerted sufficient

types of Glasgow’s middle class until the middle

limitations on the nature of such development

of the 19th century where increased density in

to ensure a controlling but not crippling

development of the west end was required and

uniformity.” Such strictures controlled width of

tenements became the dominant urban form.

2.4

Aesthetic Constrains

Architecturally,

the

most

feus, changing levels of string courses, sills,

These variations in form were due both to

lintels and eaves, variations in the design of

the changing topography and the varying talents

porches or decorative mouldings (Reed, 2006;

of the architects assigned to the task [Fig. 22].

38).

However “results were also strictly controlled On the upper slope, without the

through legally binding feuing conditions”

necessary stepping of buildings, a more

(Walker, 1982; 183). Archibald Campbell and his

linear and formal language could be adopted.

trustees had every right to determine the planning

Blythswood Square and Bath Street are areas

and architectural constraints of the development 34

Above: Fig 21. Facade as architectural ensemble onto Blythswood Square (TLR) Left: Fig 22. Architectural results of the grid placed on Blythswoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s steep hill (TLR) 35

321

Evolution of an Urban Block on that Grid that

block within the Blythswood New Town. Then,

shape ordinary urban environments, a block

a detailed study of the block’s ground floor in

in Glasgow’s early grid was selected for an

forty year increments will be carried out.

Interested

the

processes

Fig 23. Present day: Noli plan of Glasgow with the Blythswood New Town highlighted, the studied block in red and four numbered reference points 1: Blythswood Square

analysis of its permanence and change [Fig.23].

2: George Square

An urban block is defined by Bondenschatz

4: The River Clyde

3: Central Station

et al as “a mainly built-up urban area defined on its borders by streets, whose components are street fronts” (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 91). They go on defining the block as a complex rather than uniform element which responds and varies to its local context. The selected block responds to a main street opening up onto a square, secondary and tertiary streets,

as well as a lane, and for this first reason was deemed of particular interest. It also belongs to the more architecturally coherent

part of the Blythswood New Town and the relationship between a strong aesthetic identity and

adaptability

was

deemed

important.

First, a series of maps covering a century of Blythswood’s evolution, starting in the early 1820s will allow an overall understanding

of the location and evolution of the studied 37

3.1

Cartographic Study of the Evolution of

Campbell of Blythswood dated of 1820 shows

by an urban block. Although the final layout of

the Block

a very rectilinear grid layout with the indication

the Blythswood Estate seems to have already

that Mr Harley had feued the land and planned

been clear to its owner, the grid is the only

to create Blythswood square (not yet named)

element retained by the drafter at the time.

In 1821, the area is covered in a grid with hypothesised urban blocks drawn as large

By 1825, the grid has been laid out

[Fig. 25]. is

with some land west of the studied block left

streets missing from the 1818 map have

clearly indicated in a map from 1822 [Fig.

undeveloped [Fig. 27]. Blythswood Square is

been laid out. Lanes running west/east divide

26]. However the typology shown is that of

drawn and buildings have sprung on the west,

the majority of the blocks in half. In this map,

tenements with large central courtyards. The

east and southern side of the square. The

Blythswood Square has not yet been drawn out

lanes that were previously drawn are here not

studied block is double its final size, spanning

but a plan found in the belongings of Archibald

indicated and Blythswood Square is occupied

from Blythswood Square to Sauchiehall Street,

dark squares [Fig. 24]. North/south running

A gridded

westward

1821 38

extension

Bath Street has not yet extended through the

(Reed, 2006; 39).

block to divide it in half. The map indicates that

The 1826 map is very similar to that

buildings have started occupying the edges of

of 1825. However, construction surrounding

the blocks in the central and southern section

Blythswood Square has now been completed

of the estate and dotting central parts of the

[Fig. 28]. The first buildings on the studied block

northern blocks. Although the grid was just as

are finally erected. This is a clear indication of

relentless in the northern part of the estate,

the importance of this new square. Development

small detached mansions dominated those

usually occurs first on main streets and then

hills. This is perhaps due to the more rural

branches out to secondary and tertiary streets

nature of the area and its weaker integration

as space runs out. The block delineation still

with the earlier George Square expansion

spans from the square to Sauchiehall Street.

Opposite: Fig 24. 1821: Map of Glasgow with hypothesised oversized urban blocks (Mitchell Library Archives) Left: Fig 25. 1820: Gridded plan with indication of land feued to Mr. Harley with the intention of forming a square (Mitchell Library Archives) 39

The lack of planned development on the

the block. The creates a reliable access route

to also address the tertiary streets. An 1833

western side of it is probably the reason Bath

at the back of the plots where the housesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

feuing plan indicates Mr Harley has feud the

Lane, Bath Street and Sauchiehall Lane have

gardens, stables and outdoor services are

land north of the square which contains the

not yet extended through the block.

located.

chosen site. Now that the land has been feud, it can be subdivided and built upon [Fig. 31].

By 1828, the building on the plot at the

The land west of the studied block seems

corner of Blythswood Square and Blythswood

to have finally been set up for development in

By 1839, the gridded development

Street has extended over its plot and is now

this 1832 map with new roads running through

along Bath Street has continued west of the

addressing both streets [Fig. 29]. Although the

it [Fig. 30]. Bath lane has not been indicated

studied block, finally giving it its present day

block still spans from the square to Sauchiehall

here but both corner buildings fronting the

definition [Fig. 32]. Residential units front both

Street, Bath lane has been extended through

square have started extended along their plots

Blythswood Square and Bath Street, their plots

1822 40

1825

extending towards the central lane. Bath Lane

1934 illustrate the rapid densification of the

divides the block in two and services stables

Blythswood New Town [Fig. 35; 36; 37 & 38].

and sheds. An 1844 plan exhibiting un-feued

As the city around further densifies, so does

plots of the Blythswood Estate shows the great

the studied block. Space at the rear of the

majority of the Blythswood land has been

plots, previously occupied by gardens, stables

Opposite:

handed over for development [Fig. 33]. An

and sheds are rapidly taken over by full scale

Fig 26. 1822: Map of Glasgow with gridded extension

1847 illustration of the north-western view from

building extensions.

showing tenemental typology (Mitchell Library Archives)

Blythswood Square shows vast green pastures

Left:

of yet-undeveloped land [Fig. 34].

Fig 27. 1825: Map of Glasgow showing buildings starting

Maps

1860,

1896,

1913

to appear on the edge of Blythswood Square

and

(Mitchell Library Archives) 41

1826 Above: Fig 28. 1826: Map of Glasgow showing half of the studied block completed (Mitchell Library Archives) Below: Fig 29. 1828: Map of Glasgow showing the westward extention of Bath Lane (Mitchell Library Archives)

1828 42

1832 Above: Fig 30. 1832: Map of Glasgow showing the block has started to address its side streets (Mitchell Library Archives) Below: Fig 32. 1839: Map of Glasgow showing the block completed, now also adressing Bath Street (Mitchell Library Archives)

1839 43

Right: Fig 33. 1844: Plan exhibiting un-feued plots of the Estate (Mitchell Library Archives)

Above:

1833

Left:

Fig 34. 1847: Illustration by Pagan of the north-western

Fig 31. 1833: Feuing plan indicating Mr. Harley has feud

view from Blythswood Square

the land north of Blythswood Square

(Frank Arneil Walker, The Glasgow Grid, 1982, Edinburgh,

(Mitchell Library Archives)

Mainstream Publishing Company) 44

1844 45

1860

Four maps showing the rapid densification of Blythswood Top: Fig 35. 1860: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives) Bottom: Fig 36. 1896: Map of Glasgow - the built up of the blocks west of Blythswood Square have been completed

1896

(Mitchell Library Archives) 46

1913

Top: Fig 37. 1913: Map of Glasgow showing Blythswood New Town reaching more or less its present density (Mitchell Library Archives) Bottom: Fig 38. 1934: Map of Glasgow showing minimal change

1934

(Mitchell Library Archives) 47

3.2

A Walk around the Block A preliminary understanding of the

block’s evolution has been obtained through the compilation of maps spanning from the creation of the block to present day. Going on site, fine grain information can be gathered simply by walking and observing the block’s outer skin. The selected block is contained by West Regent Street separating it from Blythswood Square [Fig. 39 & 40] as well as Bath Street [Fig. 41], Blythswood Street (previously known as Mains Street) and Douglas Street. The service lane Bath Lane runs parallel to the square and divides the block in half. A walk around the block identifies West Regent Street and Bath Street as the block’s two main streets. The blond sandstone Georgian façades that face onto them are three-storey and basement terrace blocks. The ground floor on both main streets is reached by stairs oversailing the basement areas. The entrances are for the most part pedimented and supported by columns. The differences in facade treatments between the two streets tell us much on the original hierarchy of the spaces they front. The

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public facade facing onto Blythswood square is

The faĂ§ades or street fronts are an

of high quality sandstone forming a unified and

essential component of the urban block and its

classically detailed ensemble. The roof line is

relation to streets. In this case, the street fronts

continuous and a symmetry is evident with a

are varied and have adapted to the different

higher emphasis placed on the entrances of the

characters of the spaces they address [Fig.

corner houses. The arched entries however are

45]. If they had been linked to the block as a

individually decorated with one being a stylised

whole, making a continuous ensemble, they

Art Nouveau inset pedimented door piece by

would have lost their versatility and capacity

Mackintosh [Fig. 43].

On Bath Street the elevation loses the sense of an ensemble. Although the architectural

language

the

adapting

changing

circumstances

(Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 15). The block is clearly formed of independent buildings.

same,

Today, the buildings fronting Blythswood

discontinued roof lines and facade breaks

Square are predominantly used as offices.

reinforce the sense of division [Fig. 44]. Each

Those fronting Bath Street have a more varied

entrance is emphasised with a pediment

collection of uses with independent stores and

supported by columns. A single bay window

private art clubs [Fig. 46]. Although Bath street

interrupts the continuation of the facade and

is today considered a slightly more important

variations in decoration are visible throughout

street than West Regent Street due to its

the elevation. An attic floor has been added to

destination status (restaurants, bars, clubs, a

some of the buildings; apparent at street level

variety of shops), when the streets were first

by dormer windows piercing their roofs. The

laid out, Blythswood Square would have been

differences indicate that although structural

considered a much more formal and important

and decorative limitations were imposed, the

space. For historical clarity, West Regent Street

integrity of the overall finish was not of the

will be designated as the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main street

same importance on Bath Street. It is likely the

and Bath Street as a its secondary street.

houses on this side were not built all at once.

Bath lane, running parallel to the main 50

Blythswood Square West Regent Street

Blythswood Street

Bath Street

Douglas Street

Opposite-top: Fig 43. Art Nouveau inset pedimented door piece by Mackintosh on south elevation (TLR) Opposite-bottom: Fig 44. Photo of Bath Street’s Elevation highlighting rhythmic changes (TLR) Present page: Fig 45. Elevations of the studied block’s south; east; north and west façades (TLR) 51

and secondary streets, divides the block in half

rougher finishes such as brick, rubble and simple white render. Gutters, plumbing, AC units and other services are located at this end [Fig. 47]. The two final streets defining the block are Blythswood Street and Douglas Street. On these tertiary streets [Fig. 48], the basement rises in response to the slope of the land

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and permits direct access to the buildings. Blythswood Street and Douglas Street both have one entrance respectively.

Above: Fig 46. Present day ground floor uses of the studied block; Financial Advisor; Solicitors; Offices; TV Film and Video Production Company; Wedding Dresses; Art Club; Marketing Firm; Art Galleries; Printing & Design; (TLR) Left: Fig 47. Photographs of Bath Lane leading to the service accesses of the buildings facing Blythswood Square and Bath street (TLR) Right: Fig 48. Hierarchy of urban spaces surrounding the block (TLR) 52

3.3

In Depth Study of the Block in Forty

3.3.1

Later Georgian and Early Victorian

Year Increments

Housing: 1820-1859

A lot of information can be gathered by

The earliest drawn indication of housing

walking around the present day block. Through

on the block is from 1826. Blythswood square

the compilation of plans found archived at the

was laid out and construction happened

Mitchell Library and Building Control, a detailed

first on its perimeter [Fig. 49]. The land

study of the evolution of the ground floor of the

feued by Mr. Harley from Colin Campbell of

block through time will be conducted, looking

Blythswood was then subsequently divided

specifically at the form and footprint of the

into long and narrow plots, built upon and let

buildings, the construction characteristics, the

to tenants. A plot is defined by Bondenschatz

internal uses and layouts and the details of

et al as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a fenced portion of land that is entirely

the land subdivision. The amount of data that

accessible from the public space. Though plot

was gathered allowed the drafting of a different

and property may coincide, and very often do,

ground floor in forty year increments. Although

what defines a plot is accessibility, not property

a study of the upper floors would allow an

(Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 90). As is usually

understanding of plot ratio and overall masse

the case, development started along the main

changes over time, the amount of information

axes, for that reason the plots facing the square

redeemable through the ground floor study is

were the first to be developed [Fig. 50 & 51]. By

deemed sufficient for this project. Analysing

1839, the block edge facing Bath Street was

the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different components in forty year

similarly built up [Fig. 52].

increments since its creation in the mid 1820s

The block was divided in two by Bath

allows a very simple and clear understanding

Lane. Running from Blythswood Square to

of the patterns emerging and reveals the

Bath Lane, it was subdivided into seven plots,

adaptability of this urban structure.

of approximate dimensions 9.9 x 29.9m with the narrow edge facing onto Blythswood Square. 54

Top: Fig 49. 1826: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives)

Sauchiehall Street

Left: Fig 50. 1826: Plot Definition The Block is oversized at this point because Bath Lane, Bath Street and Sauchiehall Lane have not yet been extended westward. (TLR) Right: Fig 51. 1826: Built Footprint (TLR) Opposite-bottom:

D o u g l a s

B l y t h s w o o d

S t r e e t

Fig 52. 1839: Map of Glasgow (Mitchell Library Archives)

S t r e e t

Bath Lane

Blythswood Square 55

These have been numbered from 1 to 7 for ease

related to the size of the plot on which it stands,

public character, while isolation from the street

of future reference. Running from Bath Street to

specifically its width. Limited plot width usually

indicated relative privacy” (Moudon, 1986; 65).

Bath Lane, the block was subdivided into eight

lead to the rooms being only articulated on

In this case, the large communal rooms were

plots, of approximate dimensions 8.7x29.4m

one side of the circulation. The bearing walls

indeed found at the front of the house and the

with the narrow edge facing onto Bath Street,

always spanned the long side of the house,

smaller rooms at the back [Fig. 56].

numbered from 8 till 15 [Fig. 53]. Each plot was

thus the width was fixed but the length could

The hall served multiple functions

occupied by Later Georgian and Early Victorian

vary in time. The attached housing tended to

besides separating the circulation from the

three-storey and basement terrace blocks that

divide itself along its centre to allow natural

rooms and maintaining their formal character.

faced the main and secondary streets and

light from the front and the rear of the building

The average width of the hall in each of these

stretched over half of their long and narrow

into every room. Only corner houses offered

houses was 3.5m wide; due to its generous

plots. Due to the homogenous character and

access to light and air throughout the length of

size it could accommodate many other

continuity of planned development between

the building and could therefore be subdivided

functions such as bathrooms and storage.

1750 and 1850, the aggregation of Later

into more rooms [Fig. 54 & 55].

The main interior stairs were usually brought

Georgian and Early Victorian seems justified.

The houses found on the site at

to the front of the hall, near the entrance, to

The quasi Georgian character of much of the

the

organisation.

accentuate the grandeur of the hall. Smaller

Early Victorian buildings also reflects a certain

Single family houses, aggregated in a row,

rooms could then be accommodated behind

time-lag in building fashions reaching the North

they were separated from the street by the

the stairs, with access to light. “The hall […]

of Britain (Conzen, 1969; 9).

basement level and accessed by over-sailing

becomes the support core that relieves the rest

The Victorian house usually had a

stairs. These middle class villas would have

of the [house] of clutter. The generous width of

predetermined form onto which many additions

contained twelve rooms or more with high

the hall is also a major reason for the inherent

and adornments could be grafted to suit

ceilings, elaborate moulded plaster cornices

flexibility” of this housing type (Moudon, 1986;

individual tastes and needs. “It consists of

and marble fireplaces. The service area

65).

a series of rooms of approximately identical

occupied the basement with kitchen, scullery,

At the corner of blythswood square

size, strung along a circulation path or hallway”

pantry and larder. The functions of the rooms

and Blythswood street, the building covered

(Moudon, 1986; 56). As Mondon explains, the

were usually a direct response to their location,

the entirety of the plot and addressed both

organisation of the house tended to be closely

“proximity to the street indicated formality and

streets [Fig 59]. This is the first building to do

time

this

same

Fig 53. 1820-1825: Numbered Plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Fig 54. 1820-1825: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable in that time period) (TLR)

Bath Street

D o u g l a s Bath Lane

S t r e e t

B l y t h s w o o d S t r e e t

West Regent Street Blythswood Square

Fig 55. 1820-1825: Built Footprint (TLR) 59

so on the studied block. Historically, Georgian

believed to be guilty (Gomme, 1968; 75-8).

townhouses had two distinctive approaches

An entrance from Blythswood street,

for corners. If they met a street of secondary

perhaps a domestic access, serviced the

status, such as a mews or access lane, they

upper floors. This is the only entrance found

ignored it or provided “a composition of blind

on the tertiary streets at the time. Gardens

windows (or in some cases oriel windows)”.

were located at the back of the houses and

If both streets were judged of equal status,

occasionally hidden by auxiliary buildings such

“a common approach was to squeeze two

as stables, sheds for coal storage or wash

square-shapped units (…) often with no yard

houses fronting the lane.

or windows to the rear” (Tarbatt, 2012; 111).

A residential cell is inherently connected

It seems that in the case of the studied block,

to its neighbourhood and the city as a whole.

the original intention was to ignore the tertiary

The houses originally built on the site have

streets. However, the aesthetic and functional

proven very capable in transforming over

needs to address those side streets led to

time in order to cater for the changing needs

the development of new façades; starting at

and uses of its residents. Today’s designers

the south eastern corner of the studied block,

recurrently fail to create an urban frame which

perhaps due to its prominent location both

is capable of being modified over time. They

on the square and in relationship to the town

must learn to show “a willingness to relinquish

centre.

control, to let things happen, and to play - a

Opposite: Fig 56. Variation of the interior layout of the Victorian housing units of the block with entrances and vertical

It is at this corner that Madeleine

vulnerability” (Ellin, 2006; 121). The continued

Hamilton Smith (1835-1928) [Fig. 57], a 19th

study of this block will lead to a more thorough

Century socialite, was accused of murdering

understanding of those qualities that allow

Above:

her lover with a poisoned drink she handed him

a residential cell to evolve so successfully in

Century socialite, accused of murdering her lover with a

from the basement where her apartment was

time.

circulation in red (TLR)

Fig 57. Portrait of Madeleine Hamilton Smith, a 19th poisoned drink from the basement of the studied block. (https://illuminatedlettersproject.wordpress.com/archive/

located. After a long trial, the jury reached the

on-the-shelves-of-glasgow-womens-library/madeleine-

verdict of “not proven” although she was widely

hamilton-smith-1835-1928) 60

3.3.2

Expansion and De-Residentialisation:

A Picture Gallery, The Glasgow Society of

1860-1899

Lady Artists, the West of Scotland Agricultural College and the British Legal Life insurance

[Fig. 58; 59 & 60] From the studied

have moved into plot 4 to 7 respectively. Plot

plans, plot 3 seems to have been divided in

number 8, facing Bath Street is now home to

two to create a new plot accessible via the

an undefined store with show room. These

lane. However Moudon indicates that single

changes

family houses were rarely subdivided into front

development

and back dwellings in the nineteenth century

spatial

(Moudon, 1986; 63). Although Bath Lane

small plots to developmental paths that

creates a relatively easy access to the space,

are autonomous from each other, though

it is likely that the rear part was rented as

possibly under a shared agreement on basic

opposed to sold off. For this reason it will be

principlesâ&#x20AC;? (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 29).

indicated as plot 3bis.

Although some of the plots were designed

are

the

result

defined

structure

creation

of â&#x20AC;&#x153;a

disjointed process

that

subjects

By this time, the buildings fronting the

as a coherent whole during the design phase

square have started expanding towards the

(see the faĂ§ade onto Blythswood Square), in

lane and covering the entirety of their plot (see

the post-design phase, due to the diversity

plots 4, 5, 6 and 7). New uses have led to the

of owners and developers, plot by plot

extension of the built fabric over the rest of the

autonomous changes have been able to start

plot but the interior organisation of the buildings

and keep happening. This has allowed the

has changed very little. Light and air wells have

block as whole to reinvent itself and remain in

been accommodated to cater for the rooms

use right up to present day.

which have now found themselves at the centre of the plot with no wall to the exterior. Their ground floor uses have changed and cater to a variety of different functions. 62

CJT

Fig 58. 1860-1899: Numbered Plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Fig 59. 1860-1899: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that time period) (TLR)

Bath Street

D o u g l a s Bath Lane

S t r e e t

B l y t h s w o o d S t r e e t

West Regent Street Blythswood Square

Fig 60. 1860-1899: Built Footprint 65

3.3.3

The Merging of Plots: 1900-1939

story store with direct access onto Douglas Street. This new plot (plot 17) remains

[Fig. 61; 62 & 63] The most striking

independent

and

dissociated

from

the

change is the merging of multiple plots within

building on plot 8 by its size and style up to

the block. New uses required larger spaces.

present day. On the rest of the northern

The Imperial Chemical Industries LTD merged

edge, the buildings fronting Bath Street

plots 2, 3 and 4. The West of Scotland

extended over the entirety of their plots. As the

Agricultural College, previously occupying plot

building foot print augmented, access to

6, extended into plot 7. The Glasgow Art Club

light and air diminished. Small gardens and

purchased both properties on plot 12 and 13

light wells were retained and punctured the

to form a unique building and extended onto

building fabric bringing light to the inner spaces.

the remainder of the plots with the addition a

Jane Jacobs warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;All city

large gallery room. The merging was signalled

building that retains staying powerâ&#x20AC;Ś requires

through the solidification of a unique entrance

that its locality be able to adapt, keep up-to-date,

point and the removal of unnecessary outdoor

keep interesting, keep convenient, and this

staircases. Aside from some simple partition

in turn requires a myriad of gradual constant,

alterations (a large room merges with a now

close-grained changesâ&#x20AC;? (Jacobs, 1961; 307).

secondary hallway in the Art Club and rooms

This adaptability is apparent throughout the

were subdivided to cater for the needs of the

studied block.

Imperial Chemical Industries LTD) the existing interior layout changed minimaly. Another key change during these 40 years was the division of plot 8 into two. The auxiliary building which was originally a stable accessed through the garden or from Bath Lane was converted into a single 66

CJT

Fig 61. 1900-1939: Numbered Plots (with entrance points indicated in red)

Fig 62. 1900-1939: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that time period)

Bath Street

D o u g l a s Bath Lane

S t r e e t

B l y t h s w o o d S t r e e t

West Regent Street Blythswood Square

Fig 63. 1900-1939: Built Footprint 69

3.3.4

Infilling: 1940-1979

[Fig. 64; 65 & 66] During this time frame, Plot 2 (previously merged with plot 3 and 4) was extended onto plot 3 bis and therfore solidified its presence as the largest plot on the block. The building on plot 3bis, with its entrance onto Bath Lane, has been torn down. Similarly, by the end of the 1940s, all of the stables have been torn down and amalgamated into the main building of the plot. The plots running from Bath Street to Bath Lane have entirely filled in, save a light well separating plot 8 from plot 17. The same process is well on its way on the rest of the block which is at its densest yet. In December 1970, the 1-7 Blythswood Square and 112 Douglas Street as well as 182200 Bath street were designated as listed in category B by the Glasgow Planning Authority which explains the minimal alterations to the envelope of the public front of these buildings after this date.

Fig 64. 1940-1979: Numbered plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Fig 65. 1940-1979: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that time period) (TLR)

Bath Street

D o u g l a s

Bath Lane

S t r e e t

B l y t h s w o o d S t r e e t

West Regent Street Blythswood Square

Fig 66. 1940-1979: Built Footprint (TLR) 73

3.3.5

Amalgamation and Open Plan Spaces:

the outdoor staircases have all been retained.

of the block by decisively fronting its tertiary

1980-Present day

A more mysterious enterprise named Creative

street with a one storey art gallery [Fig. 75].

Hub occupies the corner of Bath Street and [Fig. 67; 68 & 69] In the last phase of this study, plots 8, 9, 10 and 11 have been

Douglas Street and is accessed by a single door bell and a dark door.

When open planned offices as we know

opposed to merged as their interior layouts

them today became the norm, interior layouts

have been radically transformed and are barely

had to be adapted to suit. The ground floors

recognisable. Not only have the buildings been

facing Blythswood Street have now entirely

reworked to form one large open plan space,

been converted to offices. The merging and

but the rears of plots 9, 10 and 11 have been

amalgamation of plots have allowed large and

stripped of their built form with extensions

flexible spaces. Small offices are wrapped

and garages removed to return to the original

around the building edges to take advantage of

Victorian footprint. This was most probably

the natural light whilst the centre of the rooms

an answer to the increasing demand for car

consist of larger open plan spaces with no

parking spaces for the businesses present in

partitions, dependent on artificial light.

amalgamated. Amalgamated

used

the block [Fig. 70]. Only a few elements such

Interestingly, the entrance of plot

as a retained bay window at the centre of the

15, previously on Bath Street [Fig. 72],

plot previously known as 9 hint at the previous

has shifted to Blythswood Street [Fig. 73],

layout [Fig. 71].

perhaps to capitalise on its street presence

Although the buildings and their plots

by placing emphasise on the long edge of

have amalgamated into one, the interior

its plot. The entrance is one of only two on

spaces are rented to smaller companies such

Blythswood Street. A small door which seems

as a print & design shop, marketing support,

to be an emergency exit for plot 6 has been

and an art gallery, all for which a direct access

accommodated at the north/eastern corner of

to the street is beneficial and for that reason

the building [Fig. 74]. Plot 17 breaks the unity 74

Fig 67. 1980-Present day: Numbered Plots (with entrance points indicated in red) (TLR)

Fig 68. 1980-Present day: Ground Floor Plan (In grey are indicated built area for which a ground floor plan was not retrievable for that time period) (TLR)

Bath Street

D o u g l a s

Bath Lane

S t r e e t

B l y t h s w o o d S t r e e t

West Regent Street Blythswood Square

Fig 69. 1980-Present day: Built Footprint (TLR) 77

Left: Fig 70. Bath Lane car parking area (TLR) Centre: Fig 71. Retained bay window at the rear of plot 8 (TLR) Right: Fig 72. Entrance of plot 15 removed from Bath Street (TLR) 78

Left: Fig 73. Entrance of plot 15 moved to Blythswood Street (TLR) Centre: Fig 74. Stunted exit door onto Blythswood Street (TLR) Right: Fig 75. Art Gallery on plot 17 (TLR) 79

321 Lessons The

small

scale

and

incremental

changes as well as the more dramatic amalgamation of plots all teach us about the organic evolution of a city. The following table

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highlights the evolution of the block: increase by 30% of plot surfaces shown by the reduction of the number of plots and entrances, dramatic densification of the built foot print reaching almost maximum land coverage and drastic change of the ground floor use of the block from residential to commercial [Fig.76]. The evolution of the block has been impacted both by the designs and regulations developed over the past two centuries and the residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own desires to transform their habitats. This analysis brings forth two components essential to the versatility and adaptability of the studied block during the last two centuries: the Victorian residential unit and, more importantly, its subdivision into multiple plots. Fig 76. Comparative data about the transformation of the urban block: merging of plots and removal of entrances, densification of block and gradual change in uses from residential to commercial. (TLR) 81

changing needs of Glasgow’s inhabitants.

arrangement pattern unlike what is usually the

Urban settings serve generations of users,

case today. Façades and interior spaces can

“The spatial organisation of buildings

usually over centuries as has the site of

range from ordinary to elaborate, depending on

can either reinforce or prohibit changes in the

interest, however the needs and values of the

the means of the inhabitants. If those means

way they are inhabited and used” (Moudon,

users change much faster, over years or even

were to change, so could the aesthetics of the

1986; 176). Modern residential buildings

months. “If the spatial structure is rigid and does

building. Resilience is a characteristic of the

should be designed to have a life expectancy

not welcome change, it will not accommodate

entire Victorian housing unit.

of multiple generations if they truly aim to

the needs and values of newcomers and

This is all fundamentally different

be sustainable. The inevitable change in

therefore will shortly end up in a profoundly anti

from the way housing is designed in present

requirements which they will undergo in that

-human, unsustainable and anti-democratic

day. Indeed, it is often designed as a static

time should be applicable with the least amount

spatial system” (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 87).

and stylised art piece which does not foresee

of transformation. This is fully apparent in the

The Victorian housing unit was built as

changes in users needs and does not permit

successful way the studied block has taken on

a simple and customisable box. Its structure

radical changes in uses from residential, to

new uses with minimal changes. This resilience

consisting of retaining walls along its long

commercial, industrial or entertainment as

is fundamental not only because of the

edges not only allows the extension of the

it has done so successfully in the block of

expensive cost of new builds but also because

house in time but also creates a flexible interior

interest.

of the collective memory of history and place

layout capable of extensive change. The

which is acquired over time (Moudon, 1986;

spaces within are generous and regular in size.

178).

There is usually a zone of ambiguity which may

4.1

Resilience of the Victorian Housing Unit

The Victorian form has persisted in

belong to one room or another allowing great

this block and in the greater Blythswood

functional interchangeability: “without losing the

New Town during the last two centuries. The

integrity of their physical space, the rooms can

Victorian houses first built on site have proven

assume different functions” (Moudon, 1986;

to be a form capable of extreme flexibility and

179). This is possible because the shapes and

have transformed in small increments and on

sizes of the rooms are not governed by a tight

occasion quite dramatically to cater for the

functional fit based on typical furniture size and 82

4.2

Block Subdivision: the Plot

The site was first defined by a gridded layout of streets, seven plots facing Blythswood Square were feued and developed, Bath Lane was extended to access the rear of the plots, finally eight plots facing Bath Street were feued and developed, completing the block. It was originally parcelled into fifteen different plots, today there remains only nine [Fig. 77]. The nine plots vary tremendously in size and are the results of the gradual merging and amalgamation of plots and buildings over the last two centuries. The ease in which this block has been capable to cater for the diverse needs of its users directly stems from the preliminary parcelling of the land. Today, spaces available on the block span from half an original plot (110 m2), one plot (approximately 283 m2), two plots (522-597 m2), three plots (908 m2) and four and half plots (932 m2). Mouton points out â&#x20AC;&#x153;that smaller parcels are likely to be cheaper and hence more accessible to a greater number of peopleâ&#x20AC;? (Moudon, 1986; 141). Today the block is available to both small and large scale operations ensuring economic diversity.

Fig 77. 1820-1825 Plot Definition and 1980-Present day Plot Definition (TLR) 83

As opposed to more contemporary block layouts, the traditional city block is smaller and formed of multiple smaller units, the plots. For the purpose of this study, the plots have been defined by the maximum land the buildings are capable of occupying. In reality, the original plot boundaries as feued in the early 19th century extend to the mid point of the streets they front and encompass both built form and street life [Fig. 78]. The plots have a direct relation with the streets they front. The plot alignments within the studied block highlights the importance of a direct access to the main streets. The short end of the plot face onto the main streets, extending away to reach maximum capacity at the lane. For that reason they “have a direct relation to the street, with a profound impact on diversity and character”. The more entrances to the block, the more activity will be generated at street level (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 93) [Fig. 79].

“all and whole that area or piece of ground lying upon the north side of the centre of St Vincent Street and containing ten thousand seven hundred and twenty two Englesh [sic.] square yards or thereby in which measurements all [could not decipher] grounded upon the south by the centre of that street called Saint Vincent Street seventy eight feet broad along which it extends three hundred and four feet [could not decipher] or thereby upon the North by the centre of that street called George Street sixty feet broad along which it extends, three hundred and four feet nine inches, or thereby upon the east by the centre of that street called Mains Street [now Blythswood Street] sixty feet broad along which

Fig 78. November 1818-July 1819: Charter of resignation

it extends three hundred and seventeen feet three inches or there by and upon that street called Douglas Street sixty feet

by Archibald Campbell of Blythswood in favour of Mr.

broad along it extends three hundred and nineteen feet or thereby stem [sic.] that other lot of ground lying on the north side

William Harley, manufacturer in Glasgow

of Georges Street and containing nine thousand and one hundred and twenty on english square yards or thereby in which

Hand written text transcribed below (TLR)

[could not decipher] all concerned also herby…..” 84

Fig 79. Photographs of the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiple entrance points (TLR) 85

that can respond to every need of their

and if required by the next generation of users.

population” (Moudon, 1986; 133). With this

It is important however to point out that

“Our richest urban environments are

logic, any alterations happening after the hand-

the amalgamation of plots into larger parcels

also the oldest, meaning that their wealth is

over of the project is proof of its failure. The

usually produces “the opposite of diversity: a

rooted largely in the layers of history buried in

studied block which has been able to take on

monoculture of land uses, monolithic building

them. The quality of the environment depends

many forms over the last two centuries and

forms and segregated communities” (Tarbatt,

not only on its age, but also, importantly, on the

continues to successfully cater for changing

2012; 40). The studied block may be suffering

fact that it has changed continuously over time”

user needs illustrates how wrong this train of

from macro-processes such as commercial

(Moudon, 1986; xix). The amount of data that

thought usually is.

property speculation which seems to be the

4.3

The Incremental Nature of Change

was gathered allowed the drafting of a different

Generally, the speed of change is directly

case in plot 8 which is now catering for multiple

ground floor in forty year increments. Every

correlated to the scale of what is changing.

businesses in one building. The block’s

fourty years is the average in which new plans

“The smaller the scale, the more continuous

beneficial street presence may have been in

were submitted to the planning authority, it is

and imperceptible the change. And the larger

part retained by the B-listed definition of its

also the average duration for which the existing

the scale, the slower - and more radical - the

outer shell which has maintained existing street

condition of the ground floor was deemed

pace of change” (Moudon, 1986; 133). The

frontages and access points. However, the

suitable by its users.

most striking feature of the Blythswood New

benefits of achieving close-grain developments

It is essential to understand as a

Town is the permanence of the grid. It has,

must be “tempered with an economically viable

designer the importance of incremental change

for the most part, survived two hundred years

mix of uses, forms and tenures” (Tarbatt, 2012;

in shaping successful urban spaces. There is

of often radical changes in Glasgow’s urban

102). The studied block has successfully

often a wish for posterity on the designer’s

fabric. The next structural element which has

maintained a close-grain street impact whilst

part expressed through unique and definitive

remained until today is the definition of plots.

allowing diverse uses and economic viability.

design. Habraken defines incremental change

Although many have merged, their street

As Moudon explains, the subdivision of land

as organic multi-authored change, often with

presence remains the same and the flexibility

is key in shaping city form and controlling the

the identity of particular authors, lost over time

of the spaces within lend themselves to the

nature and extent of the changes over time

(Habraken, 2000). For many, “good planning

idea that smaller plots will keep on merging

(Moudon, 1986; xix).

and design must yield finished environments

and larger plots will subdivide with ease when 86

The relative permanence of an urban

space helps establish its quality as a meaningful

years of successive additions. Hopefully the

fallow” prior to the initiation of a redevelopment

place. Its physicality allows a tangible record of

listing category successfully balances design

cycle (Conzen, 1960; 42). The burgage cycle

the passage of time, embodying “social memory”

freedom with conservative control and allows

is a particular variant of a more general

(Carmona,

the block to continue transforming and catering

phenomenon of building repletion which has

future generations’ changing needs.

been observed in the studied Blythswood

2010;

247).

The

Blythswood

New Town is an integral part of Glasgow’s social memory, its Georgian-Victorian town

Conzen divided urban form or “town

block. Plots on said block were subject of

into

houses are, behind the tenement, the every-

plan”

three

categories:

the

ground

increasing pressure, associated with changing

day architectural symbol of the city. Lynch

plan which comprises streets and their

functional requirement, in a growing urban

advocates revealing successive eras of history

arrangements in street systems; plots and their

area which led to their incremental in-filling

by inserting new material that strengthens the

aggregation in street-blocks; and the block-

[Fig. 80]. Over the last 80 years they seem to

past by “allusion and contrast with the aim

plans of buildings (Conzen, 1960; 5). He coined

have reached maximum capacity with near

of creating a setting more and more densely

the concept of the burgage cycle. A burgage

no light wells and a need for lane accessed

packed with references to the stream of time

is the landholding of an enfranchised member

parking spaces moving south to north. Urban

rather than a setting that never changed”

of a medieval borough and the cycle consists

fallow, or building repletion is perhaps to

(Lynch, 1972; 236). The B-listed definition of the

of the progressive in-filling of the backland

come in the next phases of the studied block.

studied block forty five years ago has allowed

of burgages with buildings, followed by the

the retaining of the previous hundred and fifty

clearing of buildings in a period called “urban Fig 80. Gradual densification of the block over the last two hundred years (In 40 year increments) (TLR)

4.4

Plot-Based Urbanism

This is where the plot becomes so

and perpetuated in one form or another in most architectural schools today, essentially places

crucial.

“Plot

based

urbanism

owes

its

Although the urban block has returned

the building as the unique point of interest [Fig.

denomination to the acknowledgment of the

to the foreground of urban design, it is apparent

81] where its impact on the street it fronts, the

fundamental importance of the plot in the

in the above study that the block is not the

neighbourhood it is part of and the city as a

spatial structure of ordinary urban fabrics.

essential component of urbanity. Taking on a

whole, is what is truly important if great cities

How the plot is shaped, its size and geometry,

traditional block form, whether large or small,

are to be. Urban blocks must be understood

its relationship with the street and the street

will be insufficient if composed of one building.

as systems composed of internal sub-divisions

hierarchy, how it forms up street fronts and

Its effect will be similar to that of an object-

as opposed to an a priori form “showing

eventually urban blocks, how all this informs

building with a unique entrance point and a

the outward appearance of urbanity without

human activities and urban functions, and

monotonous façade in its sheer repetitive

ensuring the conditions to allow it to happen”

finally how the plot finds a correspondence

length. An object-building is freestanding and

(Paneira et al, 2004; 164).

with property, usage and control, all that

according to functionalist ideas of design, its

is fundamentally the matter of plot based

external form should be an immediate reflection

urbanism” (Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 90). “By design”, a government urban

of its interior organisation. Le Corbusier likened a building to a soap bubble “This bubble is perfect and harmonious if the breath has been evenly distributed and

Fig 81. 1924: Le Corbusier’s Ville Radieuse urban model

design guidance tool, defines seven mutually

rejecting the street as a place of life

reinforcing key qualities of successful urban

(Fondation Le Corbusier)

places: “character, continuity and enclosure,

regulated from the inside. The exterior is the

quality of the public realm, ease of movement,

result of the interior” (Corbusier, 1927; 167)

legibility, adaptability and diversity” (Cabe,

and the street to “no more than a trench, a

2000; 15). These qualities are all reinforced

deep cleft, a narrow passage. And although

or hindered by the size and existence of a

we have been accustomed to it for more

repetitive and essential urban component: the

than a thousand years, our hearts are always

plot. A successful combination of these leads to

oppressed by the constriction of the enclosing

the creation of a sustainable city. Sustainability

walls” (Corbusier; 1925). This ideal, taken on

is defined as meeting the needs of the present 88

without compromising the ability of future

than the horizontal and the upward field of

generations to meet their own needs. In this

vision is narrower still” (Gehl, 2011; 63). For

context, sustainability does not only include

those reasons, Gehl explains, the pedestrian’s

the capability of the physical environment to

experience of the street is limited to little more

endure through the use of resistant materials

than the ground floor of buildings, the pavement

and successful design, it also encompasses

and the activities occurring on the street space

the feeling of place, the sense of community

itself [Fig. 82].

and the economy (Tarbatt, 2012; 32).

Due to the limitations of our field of

It is useful to think of the plot as

sight and the speed at which we travel through

the “basic cell of the neighbourhood fabric”

space, the relationship between distances and

(Moudon, 1986; 144). As Moudon goes on, it

diversity is key. The generally agreed upon

establishes the pattern of the grain of the city

acceptable walking distance for ordinary daily

and determines the scale of the city. Grain and

activities by abled pedestrians is between 400

scale are inherent in the experience of the city.

and 500 m. However, it is not so much the

Indeed, the pedestrian experience is greatly

physical distance as the experienced distance

improved when the city grain is fine. Human

which ultimately matters (Gehl, 2011; 137). The

movement is by nature limited to predominantly

experienced distance will be greatly extended

horizontal motion at a speed of approximately

if the ground floor of the surrounded buildings

five kilometres per hour. Man’s sensory

are monotonous in that they have little building

Above:

apparatus has finely adapted to this type of

details or their scale implies repetition of

Fig 82. Plot-based street scape - Copenhagen

movement from the early days of humanity. The

identical details or that they do not offer a variety

sense of sight, one of Man’s most developed

of uses, each with their own street access. The

and useful senses has a considerable impact on

scale of Man and his senses should always be

the experience of place. “The horizontal visual

linked to the scale of the plots, of the blocks

streetscape - Residential section of Stuyvesant Heights

field is considerably wider than the vertical. (…)

they form and of the streets they front [Fig. 83].

in Brooklyn

The downward field of vision is much narrower

(Jan Gehl, 2006, Life between buildings: Using public space, 2013, Island Press) Following page: Fig 83. Photo by George Steinmetz of a plot-based

(http://www.anastasia-photo.com/george-steinmetz-newyork-air)

4.5

Scottish Legislations

determined by the type and size of urban blocks appropriate for development. Block size should

Present day developments tend to be

be based on the need for permeability and

designed block by block when they should be

generally tend to become smaller as density

designed street by street. Two centuries ago,

and pedestrian activity increases” (WSP, 2010;

the latter happened in the Blythswood New

37).

Town, plots facing Blythswood Square were

Block size is a fundamental aspect

built upon first whilst the blocks they were part of

in creating a walkable and attractive street

were slowly completed at a later time. Although

environment but diversity within the block is

present day guiding codes and parameters

crucial if one wishes to build a resilient sense

are setting conditions for blocks and asking for

of place. Promoting multiple entrance points

more diversity at street level, they are failing

is a start, however the legislation fails to point

to signal the essential role of the plot in said

out that for a realistic multitude of entrance

diversity.

points, the block itself must be divided into a

The new legislation “Designing Streets”

series of plots, each with individual activities,

produced by the Scottish Government on

specifically at the ground floor. Although these

placing the focus back on streets by creating

new legislations are a huge step in the right

a safer and more enjoyable environment for

direction, they are arguably naive in their

all pedestrians and cyclists is a positive start

understanding of the drivers behind a diverse

at regenerating successful urban places.

and succesful city.

Unfortunately the only specific instructions on promoting diversity on the ground floor level are as follows: “frontage development and multiple access points on busier streets add to activity intensity and traffic calming as well as place” (WSP, 2010; 23) and “spacing of junctions 91

321

streets. Small plots are essential to a diverse

body of work currently done by the University of

and attractive city scape. Naturally they can

Strathclyde Urban Design Studies Unit (UDSU)

and should vary in size and form but they

which in turn could directly inform the set of rules

Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

should remain smaller than a traditional block

to follow for the successful design of new urban

largest gridded development was a logical place

size. Except for specific uses such as large

places. These rules named Local Urban Code

to study due to its remarkable conservation

entertainment venues which require greater

are a set of quantitative norms meant to be of

over the last two centuries. The studied block

space, large plots are destructive to ordinary

reference in regenerating or developing an area

was selected because of its interesting location

urban spaces. Not only do they restrict change

(Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 105). Studying and

on the grid, addressing a square, secondary

in time, they lead to rigid patterns of use and

understanding the measurement of key spatial

street, tertiary streets and lane. It belongs to an

prevent an active and diverse street frontage

features of cities is of the utmost importance

urban fabric which was planned two hundred

(Bondenschatz et al, 2014; 103).

if architects, designers, planners, city officials,

Conclusion Blythswood

New Town,

years ago and which successfully adapted

The

to the changing requirements and desires

understood

of its users and greater context. Whilst not

accessible and recognisable streets and has

consciously planned to change, the Blythswood

put forward beneficial legislations and design

Studying existing urban environments

New Town has been laid out in such a way that

guidelines that go in that direction. However,

to break them down into tangible and

it has allowed change to happen on all scales

these guidelines lack a thorough understanding

comparable data is essential to allow a full and

without any central coordination. Individuals,

of the technical components which allow

realistic awareness of the social and physical

companies, planning authorities and other

and encourage incremental change. This

consequences of those environments. With that

organisations have all influenced both formally

preliminary study of an urban block within

information, educated decisions about planning

and informally those continuous changes.

the Blythswood grid could lead to a more

are possible. Good planning is the precondition

The key components to the adaptability

complete morphometric analysis combining

for self-organisation and informal participation

of the studied block is the easily manipulated

two analytical techniques, one that focuses

to happen and continue happening in time; it is

original residential unit and more importantly its

on street networks and one that targets the

those incremental changes that lead to happy,

subdivision into multiple 30 m long plots with

spatial structure of street fronts and blocks.

successful places.

the narrow ends facing the main and secondary

This research could then be added to the large

Scottish the

importance

has

etc, wish to create urban environments which

attractive,

will thrive on their own thanks to the formal and

Government of

informal changes brought on by their users.

321

Bibliography Bodenschatz, Hebbert,

Bolgar,

Mäkler,

Carmona,

Porta,

Garrick,

Romice,

Sonne,

2014, Plot Based Urbanism: Towards Time Consciousness in Place Making, Wolfgang Sonne, Deutsches Institut für Stadtbaukunst

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Publishing

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Walker, FA (1982) ‘The Glasgow Grid’ in

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Architectural Form and Content in the Scottish

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321

Extended Reading List

Charles

Montgomery,

2013,

Happy

City,

Canada, Penguin Books Le Corbusier, Groupe CIAM France, 1943, La Charte d’Athènes, France, Kraus Reprint

Ellin, N (2006) Integral Urbanism, Routledge, London

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Jan Gehl, 2013, Cities for People, Island Press

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James E. Vance, The Continuing City, 1990, Baltimore and London, The Johns Hopkins University Press

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Windsor, Berks, England: Andreas Papadakis. Print. 97

Scotland.

321

Appendix

Relevant

List of the documents retrieved at the Mitchell Library Archive in the effort of drafting a complete ground floor of the studied block from 1820 to present-day.

This information has been compiled to ease future research on Blythswood and the chosen block. A lot of the older documentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; descriptions state a street name but no number, which is the reason why there are so many retrieved irrelevant.

documents

which

later

proved

Relevant to the block but irrelevant to the ground floor study OR irrelevant to the block.

EGM 34 EGM 37 EGM 42 EGM 45 EGM 47 EGM 48 EGM 49 EGM 50 EGM 51 EGM 52 EGM 60 EGM 63 EGM 68A EGM 69 EGM 70 EGM 73A EGM 80A TD 234/43/18 (p.16) TD 234/43/20 TD 234/43/21 TD 234/48/2 TD 234/48/12 2/804 1/7106 1/4463 1/7779 2/256 1/8198 1/8871 1/8715 1/8173 2/577 1916/201 1928/389 99

1913/560 1911/88 1919/145 TD1309/A/305 1947/475 1951/239 1981/1956 1960/86 1973/573 1979/2525 1969/337 1974/834 1950/535 1969/311 1952/124 1937/152 1976/395 1980/341 1981/1245 1968/190 1986/2682 1984/2123 1983/1126 1982/1254 1983/827 1983/1348 86/2682A 88/3484 88/3707 88/3996 89/2841 21/95/0772 88/0359 90/0365

TD66.5/98 TD66.5/97 1/6775 1/8557 1/9562 GDC4/2/93 TD1309/A/430 1913/560 1920/336 1924/361 1920/106 1917/11 1924/205 1928/402 1912/17 1967/418 1971/919 1970/768

1977/1962 1951/428 1965/106 1965/107 1974/99 1931/149 1952/422 1968/189 GDC4/2/48 1983-2770 1983/2770/A 1986/1413 1985/1702 6/93/2637 88/0839 85/0860B 6/92/1813

321

Declaration

AB 420 Dissertation 2015/16

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hereby declare that this dissertation submission is my own work and has been composed by

BSc Honours Architectural Studies

myself. It contains no unacknowledged text and has not been submitted in any previous context.

BSc Honours Architectural Studies with

All quotations have been distinguished by quotation marks and all sources of information, text,

International Study

illustration, tables, images etc. have been specifically acknowledged.

MArch/Pg Dip Advanced Architectural Design MArch Architectural Design International

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;?

Department of Architecture Level 3, James Weir Building 75 Montrose Street

Name: ............................... Taina Lund-Ricard

Glasgow G1 1XJ Signed: t: +44 (0) 141 548 3023/3097/4219 e: architecture@strath.ac.uk

Head of Department: Professor Ashraf Salama

The place of useful learning The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263

Date: ............................................ 10/03/2016