News, Competition Success and Awards
STUDENT SUCCESS
March 2010
RSA New Contemporaries 2010
Two students, Greig Penny and Sara Russell have been chosen for inclusion in the forthcoming 2010 exhibition of RSA New Contemporaries.
STUDENT NEWS
February 2010
Town Master Plan Unveiled
A project to create a masterplan for Banchory will be shown to members of the public for the first time his week. Final-year students from the Scott Sutherland School have been tasked with exploring ideas for development of the Deeside town.
STUDENT NEWS
February 2010
Architecture Graduates Unveil City Square Vision
A trio from the Scott Sutherland School have come up with eight designs for Aberdeen's civic heart. The recent graduates, Graham Edgar, Elaine Lourdes and Linzhi Lau, also appeared on STV News North on 26 February when they were interviewed about their designs.
STAFF NEWS
February 2010
Visiting Professor confirmed as the 2010 Mahlum Endowed Lecturer
Alan Dunlop has been confirmed as the 2010 Mahlum Endowed Lecturer at the University of Washington, Department of Architecture in the College of the Built Environments in Seattle. The College aims to provide leadership in contemporary issues of design, through innovative research, teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration. It champions architecture as a critical urban and cultural practice that integrates a complex array of social, ethical and ecological concerns.
The Mahlum Endowed Lecture is an annual event to stimulate excellence in architecture and aims to build on Seattle's reputation in teaching. Professor Dunlop has a growing international reputation as architect, artist and educator and it is this mix of skill and passion that he will bring to the school.
Anne Schopf, Design Partner of Mahlum, an internationally recognised firm in Seattle and Portland says, "our intention with the Mahlum Endowed Lecture is to get great people with great ideas to talk about their work." The Mahlum Lecturer in 2009 was Lene Tranberg of Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitektfirma.
Peter Cohan, Assistant Professor adds, "we are very excited about Alan's visit." The Mahlum lecturer delivers a public lecture at the University of Washington, makes a more informal talk at Mahlum's office and engages with the students by participating in an architecture studio review. The Mahlum lecture is scheduled for the evening of April 13th.
Alan Dunlop says " I am looking forward to meeting the students and faculty and am excited to be addressing the architectural community at Mahlum. I have long been an admirer of their work"
This invitation sits well with Professor Dunlop's expanding architectural interests, which this year include his continuing commitment to the Scott Sutherland School, The Victor L Regnier Chair of Architecture at Kansas State University and a public lecture at the prestigious Bauhaus School in Dessau, scheduled for July 2010.
STAFF LECTURE SERIES
March 2010
Lecture Series to Cover Old Aberdeen
The architectural treasures of Old Aberdeen will be among conservation projects highlighted in a new lecture series at RGU led by the Scott Sutherland School's Professor Richard Laing.
STAFF SUCCESS
February 2010
Sustainable and affordable – Dunoon development is first in Scotland
Professor Gokay Deveci, from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, has applied his world-renowned expertise in sustainable housing to design the first certified Passivhaus in Scotland, demonstrating that cutting-edge design and affordability are not mutually exclusive.
Professor Deveci has designed ‘Bethania’ – an affordable housing scheme comprising 10 semi-detached houses on the island of Dunoon. The scheme is the first in Scotland to be officially accredited by the Passivhaus Institut in Germany. This voluntary construction standard is only awarded to buildings meeting rigorous energy efficiency criteria. A passivhaus house is an energy-efficient building that has year-round comfort and a good indoor climate, without the use of active space heating or cooling systems. The heating requirement is reduced by means of passive measures to the point that there is no longer any need for a conventional heating system.
Professor Deveci, who is also a senior member of the University’s Institute for Innovation, DEsign and Sustainability (IDEAS), said, “Over 40% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from houses, yet by 2016, the Government has decreed that all new houses must be zero-carbon. Consequently it is of the utmost importance that we apply our knowledge of building design, and the technology that is currently available, to producing houses with a minimal carbon footprint.
“I am absolutely delighted that the Bethania houses are the first in Scotland to be awarded Passivhaus status, as it proves that sustainable, energy efficient design is possible on a restricted budget. Affordability has not been achieved at the expense of architectural design or construction quality, and the design solutions we arrived at meet the requirements of best practice in environmental sustainability.
“The success of this project is down to excellent team-work, and I am very grateful to the Scottish Passivhaus Centre (SPHC), which played a key role in providing energy efficiency consultancy, and supplying vital Passivhaus components.”
Gary Smollett worked with Gokay on the project.
VISITING PROFESSOR NEWS
January 2010
Reiach and Hall appointed for Major New National Archive
Award-winning Edinburgh architecture practice Reiach and Hall has been commissioned for the development of the national nuclear archive, a new £15 million facility in Wick. Reiach and Hall will start work in January 2010 and the proposed completion date for the project is for the summer of 2013.
Scott Sutherland School Visiting Professor Neil Gillespie, Director of the practice, commented; 'We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as architects for the National Nuclear Archive and the Caithness Archive in Wick. There are relatively few projects of this quality at present. We are aware how fortunate we are. The project has everything - a really interesting and demanding brief and it is located in the North, one of the most inspirational areas of Scotland.'
Reiach and Hall won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award in 2007 for the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness.
STAFF CPD EVENTS
January 2010 and ongoing
Construction Industry Development Forum (CIDF)
The Scott Sutherland School for Architecture and the Built Environment at RGU, in conjunction with Aberdeen City Council and the RICS is currently running quarterly CPD events, as a part of the Construction Industry Development Forum. These events are aimed at creating an environment for knowledge exchange and mutual learning for forum members. The events are accredited for RICS CPD requirements and would also provide a good opportunity for networking amongst local construction companies. If you need further information about the CIDF quarterly events or if you want to suggest topics for future events, then please contact: Dr Mohamed Abdel-Wahab ( m.s.abdel-wahab@rgu.ac.uk, 01224 263708) or Dr David Moore ( d.m.moore@rgu.ac.uk, 01224 263521).
The next event is going to be held at RGU on 25 January 2010 and it will be around the theme of energy efficiency in construction. This event will be sponsored by Aberdeen City Council.
Venue: RGU – Faculty of Health and Social Care Building, Conference Suite (H230), Garthdee Road.
Construction Industry Development Forum (CIDF)
STAFF NEWS
November 2009
Scott Sutherland School Professor Chairs annual Build with Care conference
Professor Richard Laing from the Scott Sutherland School/IDEAS recently chaired part of the ‘Build with Care’ annual conference in Bremen. The conference focussed on the relationship between climate change and housing, and included presentations from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Energy Research Centre in the Netherlands. Professor Laing’s involvement stemmed from his participation in a previous meeting hosted by project partner Aberdeen City Council, and has also included the compilation of a ‘Baseline Study’ document.
Build with Care is partly funded by the Interreg IVB programme, and includes eighteen partners from five countries. The University will host a further event during 2010, to discuss policy and strategy emerging from the study.
Further details of the project can be found via www.buildwithcare.net
STUDENT SUCCESS
November 2009
Building his own Future
Mark Cunningham, a graduate of the Scott Sutherland School, has accepted the Sandy Menzies achievement award from the University in recognition of his outstanding academic performance and contribution to student life.
STUDENT SUCCESS
October 2009
Scottish Student Awards for Architecture 2009
Congratulations to Jonathan Mennie who has won the The Lighthouse Award for Best 3rd Year Student for his Luthiers Workshop, St Andrews.
Jonathan said “it’s been a great year for me to date with three academic awards, and starting my placement year with McColl Architects in Aberdeen. I was particularly pleased about this at the time as I hold Colin McColl’s work in high regard, McColl’s therefore being my first choice “ Jonathan also added “I am really excited about one particular design of mine which I began during my second year for a local project which could possibly be moving to further discussions in some form.”
Judges comments: This student’s work demonstrates a well developed understanding of how historic and contemporary architectural forms can be combined, a care and understanding in the use of materials and an impressive command of the process of creating new buildings within the city.
Jonathan Mennie and Gordon Smith, President of the Aberdeen Society of Architects
STUDENT WORK
October 2009
Pumpkin Carving for Halloween
First year Architecture and Built Environment students were set the challenge of pumpkin carving as a Halloween cross-subject ice breaker.
STAFF RECOGNITION
October 2009
First Passive House in Scotland
Professor Gokay Deveci from the Scott Sutherland School has planned the house as architect and wants to showcase that highly energy efficient dwellings can also be built for affordable housing. Overlooking the beautiful River Clyde an unusual project is being completed on the island of Dunoon: In a row of ten semi-detached houses, the UK’s first Affordable Housing Passivhaus is being built. The finishing touches are being put on ’Bethania’ in Dunoon. It was quite a task to get the semi-detached house to reach Passive House levels, since many points according to the chief planners had to be fulfilled which are unfavourable for energy efficiency.
Professor Gokay Deveci's Passivhaus 'Bethania' in Dunoon
STUDENT SUCCESS
October 2009
Building the future – awards ceremony recognises local students' talent
The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment played host to its stars of the future, as well as many leading figures from industry, at its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday 7 October.
STAFF NEWS
September 2009
University Professor Emeritus appointed Patron of Largs Viking Festival
Magnus Fladmark, Professor Emeritus at the Scott Sutherland School and Built Environment, has succeeded the late Magnus Magnusson KBE as Patron of the Largs Viking Festival. The Festival, which takes place annually during the first week of September, has been going for the last 29 years and dressed in his Norwegian national costume, the new patron is here seen in the company of the Largs Viking, Bob Low.
The then Consul General of Norway, Mr Hovdkinn, who opened the festival in 2007, said, “The historical links across the North Sea represent a rich legacy shared by our two countries. Having seen how this legacy is celebrated at Largs, I am delighted that Magnus is willing to become Festival Patron and as a guru on these cross-cultural links, he is the perfect choice”.
The Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Pittilo, said, “Magnus was made an Honorary Fellow by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland for his key role in many Scottish heritage initiatives before coming to the University. After joining our staff, he has contributed significantly to the marketing of the university with six major international heritage conventions and associated books. He is now continuing to fly the University flag when dealing with festival affairs.”
Expressing admiration for the contribution made by local volunteers, Professor Fladmark said, “Our challenge now is to make the festival a highlight in the cultural calendar of Scotland. The Minister of Culture in the Scottish Government, Michael Russell MSP, did the formal opening this year, and I am delighted that Sally, the daughter of Magnus Magnusson, has agreed to do the same in 2010 when we celebrate the festival’s 30th anniversary”.
SUMMER SCHOOL
August 2009
Centre to Edge: An urban design summer school
An Urban Design Summer School entitled ‘Centre to Edge’ took place at the end of August, delivered in conjunction with The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment and the University, in association with Aberdeen City Council.
The Summer School was attended by students, architects and landscape architects, planners and urban designers from the public and private sectors, planning and property consultants and private developers and house-builders.
The event was held over three days at the University’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment. It gave delegates the tools needed for a leadership role in meeting some of the key urban challenges of the coming decade.
The enduringly successful principles of traditional town-building were considered in relation to current issues of climate change, traffic and transport, integrated land uses and new building typologies. In addition to a strong academic component, the Summer School employed a model of ‘teaching through practice’ to address two different contexts within the City of Aberdeen boundary using a condensed version of The Prince’s Foundation’s widely recognised Enquiry by Design process.
The delegates were first welcomed by Professor John Watson, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Technology. Additional speakers included Dr William Brogden, an architectural historian, author and an authority on the history of Aberdeen. The Summer School finished with an evening Civic Reception at the Town House, Aberdeen.
Urban Design Summer School August 2009
COMPETITION SUCCESS
August 2009
APS Scottish Student Design Award 2009
APS and the HSE have awarded first prize in the APS Scottish Student Design Award 2009 to Claire Bonner, a recent MArch graduate.
Claire scooped the prestigious accolade in recognition of her design for a permanent grandstand facility for Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. Called ‘Dun Eiden’ it would hold the Military Tattoo, as well as other events throughout the year.
The award centred around the issues of project health and safety, and how through careful design, risks can be minimised at early design stages. Claire explains, “As my site is so prominent and accessed by thousands of tourists, my submission focussed on site access and construction whilst still enabling the public to access the site at all times. The stands were actually made up of prefabricated elements which could be put together on site in a relatively short space of time, thus minimising disruption.
“Given the location, and the volume of tourists visiting this site, access was always of paramount importance, both at early design feasibility stages, and also at construction phases. The Construction Design and Management Regulations enable constructions to be carried out efficiently and safely through early elimination of any potential risks at the design phase, as well as control any residual risks which may occur on site."
STUDENT SUCCESS
August 2009
The Aberdeen Society of Architects: Silver Medal
Congratulation to the following students, recipients of the ASA Silver Medal:
Silver Medal
Winner
CIARAN GARRICK
RNLI Training Centre Buckie
Commendation
ANNA GIBB
Detox Centre Cannongate Edinburgh
Commendation
MATTHEW JOHNSTONE
Cultural Centre Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh
STAFF SUCCESS
August 2009
Technology Strategy Board Competition
Bruce Newlands, a lecturer at The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Director of Kraft Architecture has been successful in a national competition being managed by The Technology Strategy Board to carry out research & a feasibility design into a low carbon retrofit project.
Bruce is working with the Margaret Blackwood Housing Association, CCG (Scotland) Ltd, Napier University's Scottish Energy Centre and the BRE to deliver and monitor the project following this initial feasibility stage.
The Technology Strategy Board launched the £10m competition for innovative solutions to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of the UK's housing stock. The competition, labelled Retrofit for the Future, invited bids for contracts to work with social housing providers, refurbishing exemplar regional building typologies and evaluating their environmental performance.
Bruce Newlands, said
'Scotland has a target of 80% reduction in carbon emissions from buildings by 2050 - yet well over 50% of the homes that we will be living in by then already exist today. Our demonstration project will help to develop an innovative carbon positive solution which can dramatically increase the environmental performance of some of our existing homes.'
Bruce has been successful previously in a national competition for similar proposals to sensitively regenerate and improve the energy efficiency of Peter & Alison Smithson's seminal Robin Hood Gardens Development.
Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive, said
'In the current difficult economic climate, innovation is more important than ever. This competition is part of our drive to help business meet the major challenges of our day and build new markets through innovative technology.'
The competition and demonstration programme will deliver a over 50 demonstration prototypes all over the UK and will be managed by the Technology Strategy Board in collaboration with social landlords.
STAFF NEWS
July 2009
Aberdeen Project Awarded Funding
Polluting lorries could be banned from the centre of Aberdeen under radical proposals to be examined by transport chiefs. North-east regional transport partnership, Nestrans, has won more than £85,000 in European Union funding to examine the potential for creating a low emission zone (LEZ). The three-year project is being carried out by Aberdeen City Council, Nestrans and RGU. RGU is represented by Professor Richard Laing in the project.
STUDENT SUCCESS
July 2009
Building Design Magazine's Class of 2009
Each year, BD asks every architecture school in the country to nominate its best graduating diploma student for consideration in its annual awards. They received 20 submissions this year, which the jury whittled down to six, including Greig Penny.
Greig said, 'I am overjoyed to have been featured in Building Design's 'Class of 2009' top six graduating students. A lot of time and effort goes into producing final year projects and it is rewarding to have received such recognition, both on a personal level and for all involved in the Masters year programme at Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment.’
Course Leader Graham Paterson commented 'This is a tremendous achievement for Greig and his tutor Louise Hunter of Acanthus Douglas Forrest Architects in Huntly. Four from the six students selected were from London schools of architecture, the fifth from Sheffield, making Greig the sole representative from the five Scottish schools for this prestigious award.'
STAFF NEWS
June 2009
Bid Success
The City Legacy Bid has been successful in winning the competition for the Athletes Village for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.
Bruce Newlands, a lecturer and practioner at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, has been working closely with one of the lead City Legacy developer's CCG (Scotland) Ltd. on the design of new modular housing typologies for the social housing market. These were a key component of the successful bid.
Bruce Newlands, who is also Director of the Architecture and Built Environment Research Practice Kraft Architecture, also carried out energy performance calculations to demonstrate an anticipated 60% reduction in Co2 emissions that will be achieved by the Athlete Village in 2014.
The 600+ homes will feature a very high thermal performance envelope, carbon sequesterisation materials, solar thermal and PV and all homes will be connected to a wider CHP Plant to be installed by Scottish & Southern Energy which will use waste biomass.
Kraft is playing a key consultancy role in the design development of CCG OSM's recently launched iQ Timber Frame System, a new build off site closed panel system which will over time demonstrate a shift towards low carbon, low embodied energy and homegrown materials to create healthy sustainable environments.
The flexible iQ system incorporates a multitude of specification options for varying budgets and sustainable objectives. A phased enhancement programme over the next seven years will ensure that the system is 'future proofed', cost effective and designed to meet building standards challenges all the way through to 2016.
The off site manufacture process offers better build quality, safer site operations, faster build programmes and better performance, helping aid RSL's in Scotland move towards mass procurement of cost effective low carbon housing stock, reducing bills and helping to tackle fuel poverty.
STAFF RECOGNITION
JUNE 2009
Scott Sutherland lecturers play role in community events
Professor Richard Laing and Dr Amar Bennadji of The Scott Sutherland School recently participated in an awareness-raising event led by the Aberdeen Research Consortium. The event was designed to share knowledge on climate change research taking place in Aberdeen, and featured a series of presentations and posters. Professor Laing spoke on the topic of climate change and European research policy, including forthcoming opportunities for funding. Dr Bennadji presented a poster on the subject of improving the energy performance of existing granite buildings.
In addition Professor Laing gave an invited talk to the AGM of Aberdeen Play Forum during May. The play forum was established ten years ago to share information and influence policy developments in relation to the quality of play environments in Aberdeen. Professor Laing’s talk was on the subject of ‘Creating public space for everybody’, which drew on work in School regarding community involvement in design, and the application of results within urban design.
SCHOOLS LIAISON
June 2009
Buckie High School Design Workshop
Organised by Bruce Newlands, MArch Studio Tutor and Lecturer, a design workshop was held on 30 June with the final year students from the Buckie & Edinburgh Groups (Greig Penny, Fiona Good, Mat Johnston and Neil Duff) at Buckie Community High School.
The students presented some of their work and the morning was spent designing canopy structures with the pupils. Bruce commented 'It's something that I'm aiming to build on with the support of Scott Sutherland to create an 'outreach programme' for the schools in the NE.'
The idea is to expose school pupils to concepts of spatial awareness, structure, surface, materiality and modeling/visualisation techniques.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
June 2009
It's Show Time!
The annual celebration of student work is all set to take place this summer. Masters student, Greig Lewis Penny from The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, will be showcasing his year’s work on ‘Shifting Pedagogies’ in Buckie, Scotland.
- Read more about this and see some of Greig's images in the ribajournal.com article - The magazine of the Royal Institute of British Architects
STUDENT SUCCESS
June 2009
Inverness Architectural Award 2009
Jim Alexander and Scott Donald from the Inverness Architectural Association came to the Scott Sutherland School to judge the Stage 5 work on 18 June and as a result they have awarded two prizes.
First prize is awarded to Desmond Bernie for his design of a Hotel in Copenhagen.
A Commendation is awarded to Ultan Foley for his work, which is also of a Hotel in Copenhagen.
Both students will be presented with their prizes at the School Awards Ceremony in October 2009.
A selection of their winning work is displayed below.
OFFICIAL TOUR
June 2009
School represented at in an official tour of Prince's Foundation development
Dr Quazi Zaman, lecturer at the Scott Sutherland School, along with students Ultan Foley and Nasir Zihni Abdul of Stage 5, received Scottish government funding to visit Poundbury Neigbourhood Development in Dorchester - an initiative of the Prince's Foundation.
Dr Zaman represented the University along with other Scottish schools of architecture, planning and urban design.
Poundbury Development is regarded as one of the finest compact neigbourhood schemes and was designed by Leon Krier on the site of the Duchy of Cornwall.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
May 2009
Student work on display
A final year Architecture studio group has had its website featured in Scottish Architecture.com.
Click the link below for the website to see work from this group.
STUDENT SUCCESS
May 2009
Grand designs presented to distinguished panel on 'Big Crit' Day
The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment recently gave members of the public a unique opportunity to witness reviews of a number of student projects by high-profile members of the profession.
'The Brig Crit', which took place on 14 May, had the theme of 'architecture and identity'. Eighteen students who were chosen for their excellence were critiqued by Alan Pert of NORD Architects, Isi Metzstein formally of Gillespie, Kidd & Coia Architects, Rab Bennetts of Bennetts Associates and Neil Gilespie of Reiach and Hall Architects.
Neil Lamb, Senior Lecturer at the School, said, “A wide range of student work was critiqued and it was a great opportunity to see the review process in action, something which is normally done behind closed doors.”
Kingskettle student Sara Russell had her designs on revamping The Adelphi in Aberdeen’s city centre judged ‘exemplary’ by the panel.
Sara proposed to revitalise the city’s run-down Adelphi by constructing a new museum to house a celebration of granite there. A seven storey tower would take advantage of the striking views and showcase new styles of granite construction, with a collection of traditionally built granite buildings to hold the main exhibition spaces.
“There is an opportunity here for The Adelphi to become the core attraction of this area with strong links to the harbour, shopping area and the cultural and tourist centre as identified in the Aberdeen masterplan. The area holds visual and historical importance and is a key element in uniting Union Street and the harbour and providing the city with an exciting new asset,” outlined Sara.
Final year student, Cian O’Riordan, looked further afield for his inspiration and devised plans to breathe new life into historic, but underused, Buckie harbour.
Cian proposed re-using the existing industrial structures of the harbour, most significantly the Ice Tower (which has now been demolished), with its location and form dominating the skyline. This adaptation would become a symbol of regeneration and would also accommodate the harbourmaster’s office and a digital media gallery. At night, the building would transform into a giant exhibit, lit by projections designed by visiting artists.
Cian explained, “The aim of the project is to transform the way in which the harbour is perceived and inevitably used by the public. I would hope the development would act as a catalyst for the revival of the harbour and encourage future growth and activity, making the harbour an asset to the town once again.”
Cian worked with Bruce Newlands, a former Buckie High student and tutor at the University, at various stages of this project. Along with other final year students, he is looking for the opportunity to apply some of his work to regenerate the town.
STUDENT SUCCESS
May 2009
RSA John Kinross Scholarship To Florence
Anna Gibb, a final year Architecture student, was one of ten successful students who have been awarded RSA John Kinross Scholarship in 2009. The scholarships consist of a monetary award of £2000 per person to fund a stay of up to three months in Florence, with a work being accessioned into the prestigious RSA collection upon their return.
STAFF RECOGNITION
May 2009
Victor L Regnier Visiting Chair
Kansas State University has invited Visiting Professor Alan Dunlop to hold the Victor L Regnier Visiting Chair for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Established in 2002, this position has been held by the following distinguished architects: Hiroshi Hara of Japan, Alberto Campo Baeza of Spain, Mikko Heikkinen of Finland, Miguel Angel Roca of Argentina and Alfred Jacoby of Germany.
Responsibilities of the Chair are to co-teach a 5th year architecture graduate studio. The Chair is also encouraged to contribute to the theory segment of the curriculum through seminar presentations devoted to topics decided between the chair and faculty and students of the 5th year studio program. Exposure to all levels of students will be possible through involvement in reviews, projects or events. It is expected that at least two formal lectures be presented. One lecture would be delivered on-campus for the Kansas State students, faculty, local professionals and local community. The other lecture would be delivered in the Kansas City metropolitan area, providing exposure to alumni, practicing professionals and the greater Kansas City community with special linkages to the arts.
The Victor L. Regnier Visiting Faculty Chair in Architecture is funded by the Victor and Helen Regnier Family Foundation of Mission, Kansas and was established through the extraordinary generosity of his children, Victor A. Regnier, Robert D. Regnier, and Catherine M. Regnier, who sought to enrich the educational experience of Kansas State University architecture students by exposing them to the finest architects from around the world.
Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning and Design has four programs ranked within the top ten schools of architecture in the United States and the invite follows Dunlop's presentation of the work of the practice for the Oscar Ekdahl Memorial Lecture in April 2009
" Architecture in Scotland and particularly Glasgow, is achieving greater international recognition" says Alan Dunlop " To be offered the Regnier Chair is recognition of our work and a great honour for the practice and for me. I will be delighted to accept."
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2009
Rob Hunter Prize
Awarded to Jonathan Mennie for his design of a Violin Makers Workshop in St Andrews.
The Rob Hunter Prize commemorates the life and work of the eponymous architect who had an architectural practice in Edinburgh and who taught for many years at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment as a studio tutor, principally in Stage 3 of the MArch/BSc Hons Architecture course. This prize is awarded annually to a Stage 3 student.
Jonathan's project involved creating a work and retail space for a three person collaboration of violin-makers from a Grade-C listed sandstone coach house and back garden in St Andrews, Fife. The inner floors and walls were stripped to leave a double-height space into which a timber insert was placed to provide an upper minstrel's gallery and retail space beneath. The building has been designed to be sensitive to the surroundings, portraying a natural facade to counteract the visual impact of a new build.
Jonathan was presented with a certificate and £300 worth of book tokens by Rob's wife, Alison Hunter.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2009
Civic Medal
The City of Aberdeen Architectural Medal for Civic Design 2009 has been awarded to Jonathan Mennie for his design for a regional passenger/commuter station to serve Aberdeen, freeing up the main station for longer-distance trains and creating a new, positive arrival to the city. Jonathan incorporated some features of Union Terrace Gardens into his building design, restoring these to create a strong sense of identity.
He said, "The structure I designed is a precast concrete column and beam system that is covered in a special stainless steel mesh, with Union Street connected to the platform via a series of intersecting escalators. The roof of the building would act as a new public plaza, and would be raised to be nearer the level of Union Street."
Samuel Chapuis-Breyton and Fan Goon were awarded Commendations.
The prestigious City of Aberdeen Architectural Medal for Civic Design, popularly known as the 'Civic Medal' is awarded annually to a student in the architectural design competition in Stage 3 of the MArch course.
STUDENT SUCCESS
May 2009
Students secure scholarships with Technip
Two students from RGU have been awarded with prestigious scholarships by subsea engineering and construction contractor, Technip. Stuart Thomson who is studying for a degree in surveying at The Scott Sutherland School and Ross Mason, a mechanical and offshore engineering student, were selected based upon academic merit and personal qualities.
As part of the scholarships, both students will receive financial assistance of £2,000 per year during their degree course, supported by a mentor from Technip, and have the opportunity to apply for a paid industrial placement in the company.
Katrine Sharp, HR Director, Technip said: “We are looking for high achieving students with a strong commitment to a career in the energy industry, and after the interview process we decided to choose Stuart and Ross because we strongly believe that they have these qualities.”
Pictured from left to right: Graham Castle, Undergraduate Programme Leader at the Scott Sutherland School, Stuart Thomson, Katrine Sharp, Ross Mason and Grant Maxwell, Associate Head of the School of Engineering.
AWARD NOMINATION
May 2009
WAN Education Award 2009
Hazelwood School, designed by Visiting Professor Alan Dunlop's practice Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects, has been awarded a high commendation and second placing.
The judges commented "Receiving a high commendation from the jury was Hazelwood school in Glasgow, Scotland. Already the recipient of numerous awards, this special needs school was commended for its tactile and innovative use of materials and proved a tough contender to the Technical College."
The school was shortlisted as one of six "World Class Education Projects" and selected from a long list of twenty seven internationally recognised schools, colleges and other educational buildings from some of the world's leading architects.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
April 2009
RGU Student Society Scarlet and Gold Awards
The Scarlet and Gold Awards Ball was held at the Hilton Treetops on 10 April, celebrating student achievement in volunteering, student societies and student representation throughout the year.
The highly contended Society of the Year accolade was closely fought out and dual winners were decided upon as the 57°10 Architecture Society and Voice Debating Society.
Shona Cormack, Vice-Principal (Student Experience and External Relations) presented the awards and explained: “I am delighted to have taken part in such a professionally organised and enjoyable evening. Well done to all involved! It was tremendous to launch the student representative awards in addition to the various volunteering and society recognition awards, enabling the University to recognise those who make a significant contribution to improving the student learning experience. It was also great to see a number of colleagues from faculties and departments there in support of students and their achievements.”
Pictured above celebrating their success on the night of the ball are from L-R: Sara Russell, Cian O'Riordan, Anna Gibb, Gerard Ellis, Ewan Ogilvie, Claire Bonner, Colin Robertson, Jolie Ho, Jessica Wang and Fiona Good
STUDENT SUCCESS
April 2009
IAESTE Placement
Nadia Calder, a student in Stage 3 of the Master of Architecture course at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, has been awarded a placement in Hungary from June-August 2009 by IAESTE UK administered by the British Council.
STUDENT SUCCESS
March 2009
Association for Public Service Excellence local authority apprentice and trainee awards scheme
Congratulations to Louise Nicol, the winner of this year’s APSE national highways and street lighting apprentice/trainee awards which was kindly sponsored by Volker Highways MEWS Ltd.
Louise, a trainee construction engineer at Aberdeenshire Council who is also studying for a degree at the Scott Sutherland School on a part-time basis, saw off competition from across the UK to be named ‘Trainee of the Year’ at a national awards ceremony recently. She is currently in her fourth year of a five year degree in Construction, Design and Management (Civil Engineering) and won the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Local Authority Apprentice/Trainee of the Year 2009 for Highways and Street Lighting.
Louise started working at Aberdeenshire Council in July 2007 and carries out bridge maintenance work in Banff, Buchan and Formartine. The award-winning trainee is responsible for pricing and supervising minor construction works and also provides assistance to engineers on larger construction projects.
She said: “I didn’t expect to win. I was pleased and have put in a lot of work into University so the award made it all worth it! I get a lot of support from the Council and it helps that I can study and do my degree too.”
STUDENT SUCESS
March 2009
Women in Property
Women in Property support women in an industry sector historically viewed as a male domain. The association aims to make a difference for women in the industry and get local organisations involved in their initiatives. One way of doing this is the Women in Property National Student Awards in Scotland which is used as a way to highlight outstanding young female students. The winner of the North-east award, Niamh Treacy, an architecture student at RGU, has had the opportunity to visit Houston as part of her prize and is currently on a placement in New York.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR SCOTS ARCHITECT
March 2009
Oscar Ekdahl Memorial Lecture
Alan Dunlop, partner in Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects has been invited to give this year’s Oscar Ekdahl Memorial Lecture at Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning and Design. Alan is currently Visiting Professor at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School.
COLLEGE STUDENTS VISIT
March 2009
Angus College Students Explore RGU’s Degree Courses
A group of 14 students from Angus College visited the Scott Sutherland School for a tailor-made tour.
The students are the first cohort of ONC in Construction at Angus College, who hope to continue their studies with a degree in the Built Environment following the completion of their college course. In the course of their one-day visit, the students were given a talk by Philip Hunt, course leader for the BSc (Hons) Construction Design and Management about the courses offered at the School, as well as a tour the University's campus facilities.
In the back row Angus College Course Leader Craig Reilly join’s Philip Hunt from the Scott Sutherland School as they show the students around.
STUDENT SUCCESS
February 2009
Technip Sports Scholarship
Gary Sweeney, a budding student athlete supported by Technip as part of the RGU: SPORT Scholarship Programme, was aiming high in February as he embarked on the Scottish Universities’ Indoor Track and Field Championships in Glasgow. He finished in second place with an impressive throw of 12.17m.
Gary, whose main events are shot putt and discuss, has also been Scottish under-20 decathlon champion twice and still competes in various decathlon disciplines as well as hammer and triple jump. He is also in his fourth year of a degree in Architectural Technology at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment and caught the eye of the scholarship programme selectors after a successful 2008, winning gold in shot putt and silver in discus at the Universities’ event last year.
Gary said, "This is the first time that I have been part of the scholarship programme, which has given me a structured winter training schedule and nutrition and physiotherapy advice. Being part of the programme is giving me the extra drive to train harder and achieve more in competitions."
Katrine Sharp, HR Director at Technip, said, " We are avid supporters of nurturing future talent and are extremely pleased to once again have the opportunity to support both sporting and academic excellence."
STAFF EXHIBITION
February 2009
Urbanism In Asia Explored Through Scott Sutherland Exhibition
The Scott Sutherland School hosted an exhibition entitled 'Vertical Urbanism in Asia - Imagination + Pragmatism' from 2 - 13 February. Consisting of 32 panels depicting a collection of visionary and real projects in Asian mega-cities such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai, the exhibition also included a running slide show.
Dr Quazi Mahtab Zaman, organiser of the exhibition who is a lecturer at the Scott Sutherland School, said, “Unlike European cities, Asian demography is shifting very rapidly with increasing amounts of suburban and rural areas being built on, and this is resulting in an increasing environmental footprint.
“To maintain sustainability in these developments and give them an identity, architects and urban designers from various parts of the world use these cities as a testing ground to explore possibilities, visions and definition for future urbanism. These changing notions deserve examining as they raise technological, social and environmental sustainability issues.”
STAFF RECOGNITION
February 2009
Staff Exchange Scheme
The Scott Sutherland School has received £4,000 in funding from the Centre for Education in the Built Environment (CEBE) to carry out staff exchanges with other institutions. The purpose of the CEBE scheme is to share best practice in teaching architecture in a studio environment by encouraging members of staff to gain first hand experience of teaching within another school.
Samuel Penn will visit Sheffield Hallam University and Jeremie McGowan is set to visit the University of Westminster. Each exchange supports three visits to each University, and RGU will welcome staff to participate in activities in Aberdeen. The Sheffield Hallam exchange concentrates on second and third year architectural technology programmes and the Westminster exchange is focussed on final year students in Architecture. Both projects are due to be complete by June 2009.
STAFF RECOGNITION
February 2009
Pigeon-holing Aberdeenshire
Professor Richard Laing and Dr Jonathan Scott of RGU’s Faculty of Design have teamed up with North-east conservation architect Dr Nick Brown to help record and document all the historic doocots of Scotland. The survey is an opportunity to explore the potential of a high-definition 3D scanner to improve the efficiency of architectural recording in existing environments. RGU’s Scott Sutherland School recently purchased the state-of-the-art technology which can scan structures in detail.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
February 2009
Global Scope For Scott Sutherland Staff
Staff from the Scott Sutherland School recently participated in a conference entitled ‘Architectural Technology in a European and Global perspective’ in Denmark. Organised by Niels Barrett of Copenhagen Technical Academy, the event involved over 50 academics and practitioners from Denmark, Ireland, Holland, Spain and the UK.
The morning session comprised of a series of papers providing an overview of the situation in constituent countries, and Graham Paterson provided a focussed summary of the proceedings and discussion. The afternoon session involved two workshops on the subjects of ‘technology’ and ‘education’, chaired respectively by Tahar Kouider and Professor Richard Laing.
STAFF RECOGNITION
February 2009
Lecturer Promotes Conversation On Conservation
Professor Richard Laing of the Scott Sutherland School recently gave an invited lecture to the inaugural St Andrew Conservation Conference, hosted by the University of Dundee. The main theme for the conference was ‘Ensuring excellence in conservation through working with specialists’ and speakers included representatives from academia and architecture, as well as practising skilled craftspeople.
Professor Laing gave a presentation on working with specialists in building contracts, drawing on the work he has undertaken through the ESF and on his collaborative projects with KTS Copenhagen. Organised by Ian Davidson of the National Trust for Scotland, it is intended that the conference will be come an annual event.
STAFF RECOGNITION
January 2009
Award for garden wall design
The design of a garden wall in Cults has led to an award for two university lecturers. David Vila Domini and Conrad Wiedermann, lecturers at The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at RGU were awarded a Commendation for Craftsmanship in last year’s Aberdeen Civic Society Award Ceremony.
The wall, over 100m in length, was constructed using natural stone found on site, capped with traditional recycled triangular coping-stones typical of the area.
David and Conrad recently set up their architect’s practice EIGHTYSEVEN in order to pursue architecture design of the highest quality. David said, “We have always felt that this geographical area deserves the marrying of the best of building traditions with a contemporary and sustainable approach. It is rather wonderful to receive this recognition for what is in effect our first completed project since we set up in practice together.”
SCHOOL RESEARCH SUCCESS
December 2008
RAE 2008
The Scott Sutherland School has been recognised for world-leading research. Results from the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise have classed 10% of the School's research as 'world leading' with a further 60% 'internationally excellent' or 'internationally recognised'.
For more information about RAE 2008 click below.
STUDENT EXHIBITION
November 2008
Students Exhibit Stonehaven Projects In Village Library
In the course of the last year, architecture students from the Scott Sutherland School have set many of their design projects in Stonehaven and some of these were showcased in the town’s library during November 2008.
One of the projects exhibited proposed a new headquarters for the Maritime Rescue Institute (MRI) at its existing site on the harbour. The students’ Lecturer, Gillian Wishart, explained, “The students have used some of the schemes and models to develop positive discussion with Aberdeenshire Council to promote the idea of a new flagship building. The MRI project is a good example of how we can play a role in encouraging imaginative responses to real projects within the community.”
COMPETITION SUCCESS
November 2008
Roses Design Awards 2008
Congratulations to two alumni whose work collected silver awards at the award ceremony celebrating the best in contemporary architecture.
Ronan Sheridan from Lee Boyd Architects for their work Restoration of Garrison House and Grounds in the Best Re-use of a Listing Building category.
Calum Duncan from Malcolm Fraser Architects for their work Berwick Workspace in the Best Regeneration category.
Congratulations to Visiting Professor Alan Dunlop's company gm+ad who scooped Bronze in the Best Residential Project category for GH20 – Phase 1 and Silver in the Best Public Building category for Hazelwood School.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
October 2008
RGU Sports Scholarship
Congratulations to Scott Sutherland School students, Pamela McNaughton (Architecture) and Gary Sweeney (Architectural Technology), who have been awarded RGU Sport Scholarships for netball and athletics respectively.
RGU: SPORT aims to assist with the development and promotion of sporting excellence in students and alumni of RGU. In order to promote this aim, RGU: SPORT offers a number of Sports Scholarships to promising sports men and women to support them in developing their talents and succeeding in their chosen sporting field whilst undertaking academic study.
EXHIBITION
October 2008 - January 2009
Architecture in Scotland 2006-2008 Building Biographies
Professor Gokay Deveci's studio for Lotte Glob is currently showing at the exhibition 'Architecture in Scotland 2006-2008 Building Biographies' at The Lighthouse, Glasgow along with 16 projects including European projects.
The latest biennial review of Scottish architecture presents recent Scottish projects alongside European examples from Austria, Switzerland and Norway.
This exhibition seeks to place Scottish buildings in an international context exploring issues such as the culture of place, regional identity and globalisation, to discover the story of each building.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
October 2008
Stirling Prize
Congratulations to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/MacCreanor Lavington who have won the RIBA Stirling Prize for their Accordia housing project.
The RIBA Stirling Prize is given for the RIBA Building of the Year. It is run in association with The Architects' Journal and is presented to the architects of the building which has been the most significant for the evolution of architecture in the past year.
AWARD OF HONORARY PROFESSOR
October 2008
The Scott Sutherland School
RGU has appointed two high profile honorary professors to the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment. Robert Leslie is business development director of Robertson Construction and chairman of the Grampian Construction Industry Training Group. Douglas Forrest is principal architect and director of Acanthus Architects.
AWARD NOMINATION
October 2008
The World Architecture Festival
Congratulations to Visiting Professor Alan Dunlop of Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects who have been nominated in the Learning category for their Hazelwood School for the Multiple Sensory Impaired.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
UPDATE - Atkins Inspire - recognising women in the built environment
Congratulations to Annie Kenyon for her success in the Architecture sector in the Future Star category of the Atkins Inspire Awards ceremony held in London.
Atkins Inspire is an annual event in association with everywoman to encourage, recognise and reward exceptional women working in the built environment.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CO-CHAIR
July 2008
BuiltViz08
Professor Richard Laing, Research Co-ordinator, recently co-chaired BuiltViz08, an international conference which centered upon 'Visualisation in Built and Rural Environments'.
STAFF RECOGNITION
August 2008
Aberdeen 'City Design Champions'
Professor Stuart MacDonald, Head of Gray's School of Art and David McClean, Head of The Scott Sutherland School have been invited by Aberdeen City Council to act as 'City Design Champions'.
Experts in their fields, the duo have been involved in several initiatives with the City Council recently, including a discussion on how the University could be part of major infrastructure projects in the city over the next few years.
Stuart and David will be involved in promoting design quality and advising on how to get local people involved.
AWARD NOMINATION
August 2008
IAPS 2008 Young Researchers Workshop
Many congratulations to Carlos Galan Diaz whose work was shortlisted for the ‘Young Researchers Best Paper Award’ at an international conference on environmental psychology in Rome this summer. This is a great achievement and a very positive endorsement of the work he is undertaking for PhD study.
Images from Carlos' conference in Rome
COMPETITION SUCCESS
August 2008
APS Scottish Student Award 2008
Congratulations to David Lavelle, an Honours Architecture graduate of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment who has won the 'commended' runner up medal from the Association for Project Safety, for his poster and text submission on the Rubislaw Hotel Project.
The medal reflects the considerations and application of buildability and health and safety at the design stage of a proposed Hotel Project, located at Rubislaw in Aberdeen.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2008
Women in Property Awards Ceremony
Three students from Stage 3 Architecture have been recognised at the prize-giving ceremony on 22 May. Niamh Treacy is the winner of the Northern Scotland heat and has won a work experience trip to Houston. Ashley Taylor and Morgan Stephen were awarded joint runners up.
The national winner will be announced on 23 September at Claridge’s, London at the ‘Best of the Best’ awards dinner.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2008
Civic Medal
The City of Aberdeen Architectural Medal for Civic Design 2008 has been awarded to Anna Fiejtek. Joint Runners-Up are Alison Elliott and Patrick Shannon. Ashwin, Daria Byra, Charlie and Wojciech Omiljanowski were awarded Commendations.
The prestigious City of Aberdeen Architectural Medal for Civic Design, popularly known as the 'Civic Medal' is awarded annually to a student in the architectural design competition in Stage 3 of the BSc Hons Architecture.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2008
Rob Hunter Prize
Awarded to Anna Fiejtek
The Rob Hunter Prize commemorates the life and work of the architect Rob Hunter who had an architectural practice in Edinburgh and who taught for many years at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment as a studio tutor, principally in Stage 3 of the MArch/BSc Hons Architecture course. This prize is awarded annually to a Stage 3 student.
Pictured above with winner Anna Fiejtek, far left, and Alison Hunter, Rob's widow, are fellow Trustees, architects Les Hunter, Mark Allan and Bob Malcolm.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2008
RGU Student Society Scarlet and Gold Awards
Congratulations to 57°10 who have been voted New Society of the Year.
Congratulations to Alexa Kasim who won a Half Scarlet Award and to Ian Flett and Neil McLaughlin who both won Recognition Awards.
Back row (L-R): Vedran Mijatovic, Scott Ewan, Bill Simpson and Ewen Buchan
Front row (L-R): Kim Fraser, Neil McLaughlin, Alexa Kasim, Ian Flett and Caitriona Toal
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2008
RSA Medal for Architecture
Congratulations to Visiting Professor Alan Dunlop of Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects, Glasgow which has been awarded the RSA Medal for Architecture Prize for their work entitled SWCHC Headquarters Building - Glasgow.
AWARD NOMINATION
April 2008
Atkins Inspire - recognising women in the built environment
Rachel Hyett and Annie Kenyon are among the four nominees in the Architecture sector in the Future Star category.
Atkins Inspire is an annual event in association with everywoman to encourage, recognise and reward exceptional women working in the built environment.
Rachel is an Interior Architecture student currently on work experience with DMJM Rottet in Houston.
Annie, a graduate from the School, now lectures at the School and runs Annie Keyon Architects.
AWARD NOMINATION
November 2007
Awarded by RIBA, The President's Medals Students Awards 2007
Christopher Drummond was nominated in the Part 1 category for his proposal for an addition to the Stockholm Public Library.
Widely regarded as the best student awards in the world, the aim of these prestigious awards is to promote excellence in the study of architecture, to reward talent and to encourage architectural debate world-wide.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
November 2007
The Pilkington Activ Student Awards in Association with Architecture Today
Congratulations to Rachel Watt, a winner in the 2007 Spectrum Awards for the best student projects exploiting the architectural potential of glass.
Rachel proposed a new faculty building for the School, optimising views over the surrounding landscape through full-height glazing.
COMPETITION WINNER
September 2007
Copper in Architecture Awards
Kirsten Hamilton has won the Architectural Students Design Award for design projects prepared by students studying at UK schools of architecture.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
September 2007
The Pilkington Activ Student Awards in Association with Architecture Today
Congratulations to Alice Thomson, a winner in the 2007 Spectrum Awards for the best student projects exploiting the architectural potential of glass.
UPDATE FROM WOMEN IN PROPERTY COMPETITION WINNERS
June 2007
Click here for the winning students' report from Houston
COMPETITION SUCCESS
April 2007
Recognising our Rising Stars
Women in Property - Northern Scotland Branch, hosted an evening networking event to recognise the rising stars of the property industry and announced the Northern Scotland regional winner of the National Student Awards Programme. The event was held on 17th April at RGU Garthdee Campus.
Women in Property has worked closely with The Robert Gordon University on the National Awards Programme which is designed in such a way that it will also provide ongoing mentoring and networking opportunities for students long before their courses are complete.
The non-technical programme focused on students' commercial awareness, communication skills and their ability to effectively present innovative concepts. The event provided a good opportunity for industry professionals to meet with students from RGU who have participated in the awards.
Isobel Maughan, Chairman and Director of ASM said: 'The property industry holds many career opportunities for young people and with its current skills shortages, its essential that it is recognised as an exciting sector to work in. More than ever, we need to be conscious of helping create a new generation of construction professionals and its important women are encouraged to investigate the variety of opportunities the industry offers. The Award Programme is just one way we can highlight the potential there is in the industry.'
The Northern Scotland branch has over 50 members locally and is this year partnered by Stewart Milne Homes, whose support is enabling many of their initiatives to progress.
Jacquie Forbes, Development Director of Stewart Milne Homes said 'Stewart Milne Homes is particularly pleased to be partnering Women in Property in their 20th Anniversary Year. The opportunity to contribute to the National Awards Programme and encourage young people into the industry is something we fully support'.
Pictured above (L-R) are runner-up Rachel Hyett, winner Anstice Whitehouse and Stephanie Matthew. All are Stage 3 Interior Architecture students at The Scott Sutherland School. Many congratulations girls!
RECOGNITION
April 2007
Press and Journal, Daily Mail and Sunday Mail
Dr Maureen Young, Research Fellow in the Scott Sutherland School's Masonry Conservation Research Group was interviewed on 1st May on Radio Scotland and quoted in articles in the Press and Journal, Daily Mail and Sunday Mail about the ethics of large scale imports from India of granite kitchen worktops, bathroom surfaces and stone facings. Human rights campaigners have produced evidence of poor working conditions and the use of bonded slave labourers and child workers in the Indian granite industry. Imported granite is cheap and available in a wide range of colours, but it is difficult for importers and consumers to know if it has been ethically produced. Consumer pressure on suppliers to know the source of stone, whether suppliers have an ethical purchasing policy and whether the stone ethically and sustainably produced can have a positive effect. Consumer pressure in relation to concerns about the sustainable use of tropical hardwoods has resulted in many DIY firms no longer supplying hardwoods that cannot be shown to be produced from sustainable resources. Consumer pressure could be similarly effective in relation to stone products.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
April 2007
Commonwealth Association of Architects
Congratulations to Christopher Drummond from Honours year architecture whose entry for a portable sports centre was commended by the Commonwealth Association of Architects 7th International Student Design Competition jury.
Along with the other winning entries, Christopher's scheme will be on display at Melbourne's Convention centre during the Royal Australian Institute of Architects 18th national conference from 19-21 April.
RECOGNITION
March 2007
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
RGU is celebrating ten years of continued recognition by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). The recognition demonstrates the university's commitment to delivering the highest standards of graduate progression and employability within the profession.
AWARD NOMINATION
February 2007
The RIBA International Book Awards 2007
Duncan Cartlidge, Course Leader - Surverying at The Scott Sutherland School, has had his book Public Private Partnerships in Construction longlisted in the category of Construction for this prestigious award. The awards are presented annually as marks of distinction for new books judged to be of outstanding merit in given categories.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
February 2007
ASET 2006 Essay Competition
Grant Wilson, a fourth year Construction Design and Management student, has won the national ASET 2006 Essay Competition prize. ASET is the professional body for placement and employability staff.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
2005
BIAT Award for Technical Excellence in Architectural Technology
FIRST PRIZE: £750 TO STUDENTS AND £500 TO THE SCHOOL
St Nicholas House: Design Strategies for Commercial Re-use
Diego Foster, Bruce Masson, Steven Taylor
Stage 4 BSc (HONS) ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY
Since the late 1960s St Nicholas house in the heart of Aberdeen has been the municipal headquarters for Aberdeen City Council. As with other buildings in the country of the same era, the performance and efficiency of the building in terms of services, function and aesthetics have long since been superseded by technology developments, environmental concerns and the need for improved working conditions.
Recent public releases have indicated that the entire council operations have lodged for consent to relocate 100 yards across the road to the Marshal College, former Aberdeen University faculty property. The gothic style building thought to be the second largest granite structure in the world, requires a £80million renovation and development package to make it habitable for Aberdeen's civil servants. However recent studies into the existing St Nicholas House property suggest that a complete overhaul of the services and structure to meet the demands of the 21st Century would cost £20million.
The United Nations energy and environment programme suggest that over the next 20 years, greater emphasis should be placed on refurbishing existing built stock and less on new build. Our aim for this project was to identify through investigative research the problematic issues within the property and propose environmentally responsive technology for building operation and comfort for occupants.
Our aims were to retain the existing structure, maximise passive energy technology, utilise integrated design, improve aesthetic quality and optimise user comfort.
Retain existing structure: Condition surveys indicated that the concrete structure was sound; however the infill panels were damaged and did not comply with current building regulations. Due to the huge embodied energy required from raw material to a concrete structure we felt that demolishing the building structure would be highly wasteful and create knock-on environmental problems. Our solution was to replace the existing panels with a pre-fabricated rain screen cladding system, which meets the demand of thermal conductivity and easily assembled on the restricted city centre site.
Passive Solar Design: Obviously, new build offers the greatest opportunity for incorporating passive solar design features.
Implementation of such features in this retrofit project focuses on heat control techniques, daylighting strategies, and use of passive solar cooling strategies to allow significant downsizing of the current HVAC system.
Minimising the need for mechanical technologies was a key to this project and included intelligent window design and daylighting design through a selection of appropriate window glazing and proper shading of glass, via solar shades, when heat gains are not desired. This in conjunction with airtight design allows for maximum comfort for the building's occupants.
Our design also incorporates passive stack ventilation including storey specific heat exchangers and pressure differential roof wing to create and enhance the necessary cool air change without the loss of passive heat gains.
Utilise Integrated Design: The above strategies will be undertaken in a systematic integrated design process, which collaborates various design and engineering disciplines to produce a refurbished building that costs less to operate, easier to maintain and is visually enhanced. This will also lead to better individual occupant satisfaction which results in an overall healthier working environment in St. Nicholas House.
The potential for developing St. Nicholas House as a sustainable and energy efficient property far outweighs the initial cost of the planned move to Marshal College by Aberdeen City Council.
Incorporating sustainability in such a high profile location will increase awareness for the need to invest in environmentally friendly design strategies and technologies, also engage the public's perception of how sustainable design can be aesthetically pleasing, functional and creates a focus in the heart of Aberdeen's city centre.
St Nicholas House Design Strategy 1
St Nicholas House Design Strategy 2
Click on the links below to watch the animations.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2004
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland | Burnett En Loge 2004
Commended | Jonas Nauwelaertz De Age, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Commended | Josh Ng + Sharon Ong, Stage 3 BSc Hons Interior Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Jonas Nauwelaertz De Age, with an individual submission, and Josh Ng + Sharon Ong, in partnership, were both awarded 'commended' for their entries in the Burnett En Loge 2004, a competition open to entrants from all years of the six Scottish Schools of Architecture.
This years focus was on the regeneration of Golden Square, in Aberdeen, with the removal of cars through the provision of compact underground 'trevi' carparking.
Publication:
The Press & Journal, 07 May 2004.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
May 2004
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Sketch Design 2004 | Covered City
Third Equal | Colin Henderson, Architect + Lecturer, with assistance from Julie Macrae, Architect + Lecturer
Colin Henderson, architect and part time lecturer at The Scott Sutherland Schooland, with assistance from Julie Macrae, architect and lecturer at The Scott Sutherland School, were awarded third equal prize at the RIAS Convention 2004: Inside | Outside, in recognition of their proposal for the redevelopment of The Green, in Aberdeen to include a planting scheme and winter gardens in place of Aberdeen Market and glazed canopy over the entrances to the Union Street vaults.
Publication:
The Press & Journal, 07 May 2004.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
April 2004
Phoenix Awards 2004
UK design competition for architects and landscape architects
Second Prize in the Premier Award for the 'Total Concept' design category | David Vila Domini, architect + lecturer at The Scott Sutherland School, in partnership with Jonas Nauwelaertz de Age, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Winner of the After Cremation Award| David Vila Domini, architect + lecturer at The Scott Sutherland School, in partnership with Jonas Nauwelaertz de Age, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
PRIZE WINNER
April 2004
City of Aberdeen Architectural Medal for Civic Design
Dating from 1947
First Prize | Carol Shing, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Commendations | John Lancaster, Josh Ng, Liam O'Grady, Sharon Ong, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Mentions | Andrew Lilley + Alice Thomson, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
This years award, open to students of the third year of architecture at The Scott Sutherland School, focused on the redevelopment of 196-206 Union Street, to provide office and retail space.
PRIZE WINNER
February 2004
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Year Out Award | Sponsored by Hays Montrose
First Prize | Claire Thomson, Stage 4 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School
Claire Thomson, currently undertaking her fourth year in BSc Hons Architecture at The Scott Sutherland School, has been chosen as the first winner of this new Scottish award for students of architecture. The RIAS praised Claire on the professional nature of her work, charting her year out of practical experience in architectural practice. This was further enhanced by an exceptional report which Claire received from Forgan & Stewart Ltd, in Edinburgh, with whom she was employed over 2002/2003.
Year out tutors: Marion Donald + Graham Paterson.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
December 2003
Cleopatra's Kiosk | RIBA International Design Competition
Joint First Prize | Our congratulations go out to Graham Mitchell Architects, Aberdeen who won joint first prize in the RIBA's International Design Competition to replace the Cleopatra's Kiosk on London's Embankment beside Hungerford Bridge. This local practice consists wholly of Scott Sutherland graduates; Graham Mitchell, Simon Leeman and Lee Steedman.
Publication:
Building Design, Issue 1605, 05 December 2003. Page 4
COMPETITION SUCCESS
December 2003
RIBA President's Medals Student Awards 2003
People's Choice Prize Winners | Florence Ma, Mark Simnett + Jacqueline See, RIBA Part 2, The Scott Sutherland School |'In Pursuit of Character' | Hotel + Health Spa, Torridon
EXHIBITED
November - December 2003
Peacock Visual Arts' A5 Exhibition
Sandy Anderson, John Curry + John Sorohan, Stage 5, The Scott Sutherland School, made the selection for Peacock Visual Arts annual art exhibition based on the A5 Project, and were exhibited amongst artists such as John Bellany, Joyce Cairns, Toby Patterson, etc.
Sandy Anderson proposed a changing Broad Street; John Curry explored a worm's eye view of Queens Street Police Station; and John Sorohan presented a vision for 21st Century Living.
COMPETITION SUCCESS
November 2003
Copper in Architecture: Awards 11 | Architectural Student Design
Commended | Dianna Ingram, Stage 5, The Scott Sutherland School | Conservation and adaptive re-use of Rhynie Mill
The project involves the conservation and re-use as a research centre of a listed water mill in a sensitive rural setting in Aberdeenshire. A new copper roof follows the overall pitch of the existing but introduces glazing to allow natural light without direct sunlight into the exhibition space below. This roof form is seen as analogous to trees with cascading branches and light filtering through.
Judges' comments | "This award reflects the clever use of shallow pitched copper elements to form a steeper, 'translucent' roof within a particularly sensitive design. The architect judges particularly enjoyed the high quality of presentation".
Publications:
The Architects' Journal, Vol 218, No 21, 04 December 2003. Page 8
Copper Development Association. Copper in Architecture | Awards 11, Publication 175, November 2003. Page 6
EXHIBITED
September 2003
RIBA President's Medals Student Awards 2003
Nominations for the RIBA's President's Medal Student Awards
Florence Ma, Mark Simnett + Jacqueline See, RIBA Part 2, The Scott Sutherland School |'In Pursuit of Character' | Hotel + Health Spa, Torridon
David Dalgleish, Simon Gilmour + Richard Woods, RIBA Part 2, The Scott Sutherland School | Conservation + Adaptive Re-use | Stonehaven Town Hall
Jemma Lynch, BSc Hons Interior Architecture, RIBA Part 1, The Scott Sutherland School | Re-thinking the Beach, Aberdeen
Gregor Wight, BSc Hons Architecture, RIBA Part 1, The Scott Sutherland School | Edinburgh Contemporary Architecture Centre, Edinburgh
Gregor Wight, BSc Hons Architecture, RIBA Part 1, The Scott Sutherland School | Edinburgh Contemporary Architecture Centre, Edinburgh
RESEARCH AWARD WINNER
September 2003
RGU Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarships leading to RGU Student Research Awards 2003
Awarded to Jonas Nauwelaertz d'Age, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School | Early Renaissance ideas about the classical orders; using computers to analyse textual descriptions of architecture
Research supervisor | David Vila Domini
COMPETITION SUCCESS
July 2003
Associated Scottish Schools of Architecture (ASSA) Student Energy Awards 2003
First Prize | Alan Simpson, Stage 4 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School | Tillydrone Housing
Joint Second Prize | Chris Drummond, Josh Ng, Sharon Ong + Carol Shing, Stage 2 BSc Hons Architecture + Interior Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School | Eco Boat House
Commendation | Jonathan Rees, Stage 3 BSc Hons Architectural Technology, The Scott Sutherland School | Redevelopment of former printing works, Marketgait, Dundee
COMPETITION SUCCESS
April 2003
Eric Lyons Memorial Award | 'Living in the City' | National
Housing Competition for Architectural Students 2003
First Prize | Part 1 submission | Chris Drummond, Stage 2 BSc Hons Architecture, The Scott Sutherland School | Stonehaven Waterfront Housing
