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A Policy on Architecture for Scotland
PROGRESS REPORT 2005

3 FUTURE PROGRAMME

The Architecture Policy Unit provides support to Ministers on questions related to architecture and the built environment; and is responsible for taking forward the commitments of the policy on architecture. The aim of the Unit is to contribute to a better physical environment through promoting and encouraging better architecture and to provide a 'think tank' on architecture and design as a cross-cutting issue. The Unit presently undertakes the sponsorship of RCAHMS and RFACS and, from April 2005, will assume sponsorship of Architecture and Design Scotland. The future role of the Unit will involve co-ordinating the work of Architecture and Design Scotland and the National Programme and other Executive initiatives delivered by The Lighthouse. The Unit will also undertake a full review of policy in 2006 which will take into account the views on architecture of the Cultural Commission, following the publication of the report on its review of culture in Scotland in June 2005.

POLICY PROGRESS GROUP

Our strategy for the future development of the policy on architecture will also be informed by key bodies in Scotland with an interest in the built environment. The inaugural meeting of the Policy on Architecture Progress Group, which has been established to take forward this aim, was held in November 2004.

Our future considerations will reflect the work of the Group, however, the following section provides an overview of key developments in policy:

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SCOTLAND

Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) will be formally established in April 2005. The aim of A&DS is to raise the quality of new development, so that high standards of layout and design are the rule, not the exception. A&DS will also act as an enabling body to assist in delivering and promoting quality across Scotland, operating within the Executive's policy framework on architecture and design, as well as in partnership with a range of bodies (both the private and public sector) to help turn the aspirations of policy into reality. Overall, the development of well designed and attractive cities, towns and villages will support Ministers' determination to make Scotland a better place to live, work and visit.

The role of A&DS is to be proactive in promoting the qualities and benefits of good design by:

• inspiring excellence in all kinds of development from housing estates to major cultural buildings, and in all parts of the country;
• encouraging high quality public buildings (e.g. schools and hospitals) and public places;
• stimulating and supporting a demand for better design by clients and the public for better design from investors, developers and the design professions;
• working in partnership with local authorities, government agencies, professional bodies, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and, where appropriate, local communities to develop effective design policies, frameworks and guidance;
• improving skills in design of the built environment through training by working with universities and professional bodies;
• communicating and disseminating key messages, in a clear and accessible form, on architecture and design to a wide audience, including the media;
• building up evidence which demonstrates the value of investment in good design;
• considering new thinking on how the built environment needs to respond to drivers such as climate change, technological advances and demographic changes.

A&DS will be an approachable organisation able to offer informal and impartial advice to a range of stakeholders involved in the design process. Examples of the type of advice which can be sought include details on commissioning buildings, best practice in drawing up master plans and help with the wording of design policies in development plans. A&DS will confirm in writing if it is unable to offer advice.

One of the first tasks of A&DS will be to engage with the people responsible for, or with an interest in, the built environment across Scotland. This consultation exercise lead by A&DS will help to establish the nature and priority of the type of work required, as well as fine tuning some operational details.

A Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) document published in February 2005 outlines the body's role in more detail, with particular reference to how A&DS will engage with the planning system.

RCAHMS

RCAHMS compiles, maintains and curates a publicly available archive and database called The National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS); and a key element of its work is to promote an understanding of the archaeological and historical information it records by all appropriate means. The NMRS is a cultural and educational resource of great importance, and Scotland is leading the rest of the UK in the quality and size of the archive, as well as in the development of web-based access. The rapid growth of the NMRS has put considerable pressure on storage facilities for the archive, and the Executive has recently allocated capital finance of £12 million over the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 to create a new remote storage building. This will provide accommodation for the increasing quantity of collections being deposited with the Commission. It will ensure that the collections are cared for under optimal environmental conditions and it will enable the development of improved public access to these collections.

THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME

The National Programme on architecture delivered by The Lighthouse will remain a cornerstone of the policy over the next three years, building on the successful work carried out since 2001. The funding for the Programme will rise to £350,000 per annum in 2007-08. The National Programme will continue to raise public awareness of architecture and design through a series of exhibitions, events and other activities. It will continue to promote and celebrate the best in Scottish architecture through publications, and scottisharchitecture.com will remain a key strand of activity. An increasing emphasis on educational work for young people will also take place through the Building Connections initiative in the next phase of the National Programme's development.

Glencoe Visitors Centre
GAIA Architects
Photograph: Michael Wolchover

SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMME

For the second phase of the SUST programme delivered by The Lighthouse, there will be increased emphasis on raising awareness and education, targeting client groups, local authorities and others who have a responsibility for commissioning buildings. The development of an overarching 'E-Centre' for the project is a logical development of the resources available. A key objective of the programme will be to facilitate clients' consideration and adoption of a more holistic approach to the design, construction and management of the built environment. Other tools and techniques developed in Phase 1 which are supportive of this objective such as the Green Directory and the Ecological Design Gateway will be maintained. The guide to sustainable issues in schools in December 2004 was one of the first outputs of Phase 2. This is also linked to the development of further schools guidance and partnership working among stakeholders.

THE FUTURE LEARNING AND TEACHING (FLaT) PROGRAMME DESIGN FOR LEARNING: 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS

The FLaT programme delivered by The Lighthouse will provide schools with the resources and ideas to challenge orthodoxy, to explore their visions of the future and get to grips with the key drivers for change in school buildings. The programme is based on generating the right knowledge to make best use of the resources being channelled into the school estate so that design solutions can respond effectively and imaginatively to the technological, social, cultural changes in our economy and working practices. Key programme aims are:

• highlighting and disseminating good practice in the design and procurement of school buildings via a series of Scotland-wide seminars and publications;
• developing, through workshop scenarios, a number of design solutions addressing a range of issues which are considered to have a bearing on learning outcomes;
• developing the right partnerships between local authorities, service providers, designers, teachers and pupils to help deliver tangible solutions that can make a difference in practice.

PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT

In line with the Prime Minister's Better Public Buildings initiative, Building Division, in consultation with the Architecture Policy Unit, is developing a new section for the Client Pack providing guidance on achieving design quality in public sector building procurement. This Section will be completed end of March 2005.

BEST BUILDING IN SCOTLAND AWARD

The RIAS Award for Architecture for the Best Building in Scotland was established in 2002 and, over the three years since its launch, has gathered increasing publicity and prestige. Building projects of all sizes and types which demonstrate innovation, design excellence and competence are eligible for the award. From 2005, the Executive will provide £15,000 support per annum for the Award.

SIX CITIES FESTIVAL

The First Minister's St Andrew's Day speech in 2003 outlined a vision for Scotland as a creative hub, using the nation's creativity as a key national resource. Work is presently underway to explore the feasibility of a festival to help to achieve that vision. 6 Cities is a new initiative supported by the Executive and developed by The Lighthouse to celebrate, promote and develop Scotland's creative industries at an international, national and citywide level. The proposal is to initiate a nation-wide biennial festival of creative design centring on Scotland's six cities, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling. The project forms part of the programme of crosscutting bi-lateral initiatives agreed between the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.

EUROPEAN FORUM FOR ARCHITECTURAL POLICIES

In 1999, under the Finnish Presidency of the European Union, proposals to create a forum for co-operation between EU states were developed. The first formal meeting of the European Forum for Architectural Policies took place under the French Presidency in 2001, and a Resolution of the Council of the European Union on architectural quality was agreed and published in a formal document.

The Scottish Executive will host an event during the UK Presidency in the second half of 2005. The three day event will take place in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with a strong focus on the new Scottish Parliament building. The proposed theme is "Identity and Democracy".

SUMMARY

The quality of our built environment has a key role in making Scotland one of the best small countries in the world, valued as an outstanding place to visit, work and live. Through better design, a built environment can be created which future generations will enjoy and appreciate. The Executive will continue to develop its design agenda in partnership with a wide range of agencies and organisations who can contribute to making Scotland a place where the value and benefits of good architecture and design are fully appreciated.

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