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4. SUSTAINABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVE DESIGN

PROMOTING MEASURES WHICH MAINSTREAM A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO DESIGN

CONTEXT

Following the joint 'Taking it on' consultation during 2004, the Scottish Executive joined the UK Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Administration in signing up to a UK strategic framework for sustainable development, committing us to work together towards a shared purpose, principles and priorities. The framework was launched by the First Minister in Edinburgh in March 2005. The shared framework document 'One Future - Different Paths' identifies a powerful set of principles to help us achieve our goal and which underpin the approach we are taking in Scotland.

THE SCOTTISH STRATEGY

'Choosing our future: Scotland's sustainable development strategy' was published in December 2005, and sets out the actions which we will take in Scotland to take forward the shared priorities set out in 'One Future - Different Paths'. Our strategy is based on five UK-wide sustainable development principles, which can be summarised as:

Our priorities are to:

• reduce the size of Scotland's global footprint;
• protect our natural heritage and resources for the long term; and
• improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in Scotland, securing environmental justice for those who suffer the worst local environments.

We are now putting the strategy into effect through a published and quarterly updated Implementation Plan which contains more than forty pieces of work. The Plan includes:

• 'Changing our Ways, the Scottish Climate Change Programme', which commits to cutting 2.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions through devolved policies by 2010 - 1 million more than our Scottish share;
• revised indicators of Scotland's progress on sustainable development;
• action plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development;
• revised indicators of Scotland's progress on sustainable development; and
• action on architecture and the built environment.

REFLECTING THE SHARED PRIORITIES OF THE FRAMEWORK, THE SCOTTISH STRATEGY FOCUSES ON SIX AREAS IN PARTICULAR:

• SUSTAI NABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION - ACHIEVING MORE WITH LESS, REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, IMPROVING BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS AND BREAKING THE LINK BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE;
• CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY - MAKING CHANGES TO HOW WE GENERATE AND USE ENERGY AND OTHER ACTIVITIES WHICH RELEASE GREENHOUSE GASES AND DRIVE CLIMATE CHANGE;
• NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT - PROTECTING AND ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT TO ENSURE A DECENT ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE;
• SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES - CREATING COMMUNITIES WHICH EMBODY THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL;
• LEARNING TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY - DEVELOPING AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND ENGAGEMENT AND SEEKING TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS TO MAKE MORE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES; AND
• DELIVERY - TARGETS AND INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE.

SUST. THE LIGHTHOUSE ON SUSTAINABILITY

Clearly, the policy on architecture has the potential to support the Scottish strategy in many of these areas. A significant amount of work has already been carried out. From 2002 to 2006, the £1.2 million Executive funded Sust. initiative has involved an ambitious programme of projects on sustainability developed in partnership with a wide range of organisations who have benefited from the campaign. These organisations include community groups, government agencies, local authorities, professional organisations, academic institutions, architectural practices and voluntary sector groups.

One of the key objectives of the Sust. programme has been to work with building design professionals, their clients and the general public to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable design and the contribution that it can make to the delivery of a sustainable future. In addition, the programme seeks to raise expectations and aspirations of its clients, and to transfer relevant knowledge in order to raise the demand for sustainable buildings. It is clear that the programme has made good progress towards this objective. However, we have recognised that although, for the most part, Housing Associations and Local Authorities are not lacking in training and awareness of the issues, difficulties remain in translating this information and knowledge into a physical reality. Over the last two years, we have begun to explore how to address this. We believe that, in order to make a real difference, and to act as an effective catalyst for change, Sust. must engage more with clients, business and the public on 'live' projects to enable the practical application of their knowledge.

The design, construction, operation and maintenance of the built environment and the creative use of the existing environment provide significant opportunities to contribute towards a more sustainable future. However, although the creation of 'green buildings' is of extreme importance - on their own, these built 'products' are not enough.

Sustainable Development has three core elements - environmental, social, and economic factors - and all require to be balanced in order to achieve a truly sustainable outcome. And so, if the 'product' is in the wrong place, or displaces jobs, or upsets the environmental balance of the location then, however well-designed, the final outcome will not be sustainable. In energy terms, for example, the built environment consumes natural resources during construction, refurbishment and demolition but its greatest impact is the energy use in operation. Energy used for heating, providing hot water, cooling and lighting our homes in particular is a major factor in our global environmental impact, accounting for 34% of our total energy consumption and 33% of our greenhouse gas emissions. Delivering sustainable development must, therefore, be a continuing process. Everyone must accept responsibility, and we must change our ways to adopt more environmentally responsible patterns of behaviour.

The products and processes of development have not only significant implications for energy use, but also impact upon health, transport, employment and communities. The way in which our built environment is developed makes a considerable difference to how communities look, feel and function. Our early focus has, by and large, tended towards more central, technical issues of sustainability such as energy performance, material specifications, and construction issues. We are, however, also keen to improve awareness and knowledge of wider aspects of sustainable development such as the regeneration and creation of safe, secure communities; the environmental, social and economic importance of neighbourhood identity; inclusion and community engagement; and the impact of decisions in relation to location and infrastructure. We have, thus, committed funds to continuing the Sust. programme for a further two years.

The Executive will also continue to fund the installation of micro-renewables in homes across Scotland through its Scottish Community and Household Renewables Initiative ( SCHRI).

BUILDING STANDARDS

The Scottish Building Standards Agency ( SBSA) was established in 2004, and the new building standards system which came into operation in 2005 allows greater scope for innovation in design through providing more flexibility in the ways that standards can be met.

In 2006, the SBSA issued a public consultation on changes to the standards on structure, environment, accessibility and energy, which is due to come into effect in May 2007. The SBSA will be raising its energy performance standards at that time. The Agency's work on access for all allows it to play a full part in trying to close the opportunity gap and promote equality to those living in and visiting Scotland. The SBSA intends to use the system to require even higher standards, whilst increasing the opportunities for imaginative design and simplifying the requirements for small buildings and minor works. In developing the standards, the SBSA is considering how to deliver reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and developing guidance on the installation of a range of low and zero carbon technologies. Changes planned for 2009 will further increase the sustainability of new buildings, raise the standards on noise control and update the requirements on the means of escape necessary in the event of fire. The Executive will monitor progress in delivering a built environment for a sustainable future as part of the reporting arrangements for this strategy.

The SBSA is also responsible for the implementation of the 'Energy Performance of Buildings Directive'. This began in January 2006, with measures including the gradual introduction of energy performance certificates required for public buildings. By 2009, energy performance certificates will be required for every building when it is built, sold or rented.

Significant challenges for the Architecture Policy Unit are how, through policy initiatives, it can help to raise awareness of the potential of the new building standards system and how it can encourage designers to design above minimum standards. It also wishes to encourage higher aspirations for sustainability in its wider sense, as energy performance is, of course, only one aspect of sustainability.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN

An inclusive environment is one that can be used by everyone, regardless of age, gender or disability, and this is also a key aspect of sustainable development. The objective of an inclusive design approach to both buildings and places is to widen the user group for which an environment is designed. The Scottish Executive is committed to improving the provision of inclusive environments as part of our wider aim of promoting more equality in the areas where we live and work. In order to achieve this throughout Scotland's built environment, everyone involved in creating places must understand how to design for the widest user group.

There is also, now, a specific legal requirement to consider the needs of disabled people under the terms of Disability Discrimination legislation. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 introduces a new duty on public bodies, including local authorities to actively promote disability equality. The promotion of inclusive design should be seen as an important part of meeting this new duty.

Planning Advice Note 78 Inclusive Design ( PAN 78), was published in March 2006 and is targeted at a wide range of people who are involved in the development process and who have the opportunity to create and maintain inclusive environments. This includes building owners, developers, design professionals, local authority officers, access panels and, importantly, building occupiers. It encourages the consideration of inclusive design at an early stage in the design process, and seeks to ensure effective joint working between those involved to ensure that developments provide the most appropriate environments for all users. PAN 78 complements

'Designing Places' and is intended to support better awareness and understanding of context, issues, roles and responsibilities and aims to:

• explain the importance of inclusive design;
• identify the nature of the problems experienced in designing inclusive environments;
• describe the legislative context;
• outline the roles of the different stakeholders in delivering inclusive design;
• identify the particular challenges of applying inclusive design to the historic environment; and
• provide a useful reference list of more detailed or technical advice.

CO-ORDINATION

Across the Executive, there are many Divisions whose work includes issues related to sustainability. The Executive's Policy on Architecture Progress Group already brings Divisions, Agencies and NDPBs involved with sustainability in the built environment to the same table as key external built environment bodies.

Sustainability has already, naturally, come to the fore in the work of the Group. However, in our consideration of the Group's future work on the implementation of policy, we will explore ways to better co-ordinate and align Executive activity on sustainability in the built environment and to work more closely with areas of the Executive with sustainable interests which are not presently involved in the Group.

DESIRED OUTCOME OF PROGRAMME SCOTLAND AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUSTAINABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE BUILT ENVIRONMENT DESIGN
THE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THISHOUSING DEVELOPMENT ARE DESIGNED TO HELPPEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

CASE STUDY

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN/INCORPORATION OF HISTORIC ELEMENTS/HOUSING
SIGNAL STATION HOUSE, NORTH QUEENSFERRY

This Ministry of Defence signal tower, which perches around forty metres above the Firth of Forth and sits close below the Forth Rail Bridge in North Queensferry, was still in use until the mid 1990s. The octagonal tower, which had originally only a very small outbuilding attached, was bought by Euan Millar, a partner in the quite recently formed Icosis Architects, with the intention of transforming into his own family home.

The project was carried out in two phases by separate contractors, and the first of these phases was the renovation of the tower. Wherever possible, the renovation of the original building and construction of the extension used natural materials from sustainable sources. Among the many examples of this approach are that sheep's wool was used to insulate the tower and that walls in the extension use recycled newspaper as insulation.

A construction phase waste-management strategy was implemented in order to minimise the need for transporting waste to landfill over the course of the project. All untreated timber waste was retained for use in the two wood-burning stoves in the renovated tower, while brick and rubble was retained for use as fill and sub-base beneath the extension. The main roof of the extension is finished using planted turf, for which the soil excavated for the foundations was set-aside.

As the project is most frequently seen from above by travellers on the bridge, grass is used on both the roof of the extension and garden to minimise the visual impact from this viewpoint. This was considered to be the most environmentally and aesthetically sympathetic solution for the location. Icosis has aimed to create the aesthetic of a classic Modernist building, sitting as an elegant companion to the original tower. The project not only succeeds admirably in this aim, but demonstrates good, sustainable design in both the built form and the construction process.

ICOSIS HAS AIMED TO CREATE THE AESTHETIC OF A CLASSIC MODERNISTBUILDING, SITTING AS AN ELEGANT COMPANION TO THE ORIGINAL TOWER

CASE STUDY

LANDSCAPE/SUSTAINABILITY
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND WORLD HEADQUARTERS GOGARBURN, EDINBURGH

The £350 million Royal Bank of Scotland world headquarters is located on the site of the former hospital at Gogarburn, Edinburgh set in around 100 acres of woodland. Six office pavilions, providing space for 3250 staff, and an executive pavilion with entrance hall focused on a connecting internal street, sit in landscaped, campus-style grounds. The 300 metre internal street, enclosed by steel and glass, provides facilities such as a retail bank, convenience food outlets, a grocery store and restaurants. Headquarter facilities play a key role in the attraction and retention of staff, and the development at Gogarburn also provides leisure, crèche/nursery facilities as well as a new training centre.

The development is designed to minimise impact on the natural environment. An early, detailed environmental impact assessment was made which encompassed ecology, flora/fauna, hydrology, sustainable drainage, noise and pollution and traffic impact. Water and habitat strategies have been developed which will see the woodland come under careful active management.

As part of the strong commitment to sustainable design, a significant number of waste management initiatives were integrated into the construction process, including the separation and re-use of materials from the existing buildings which were demolished on the site. 50,000 tonnes of fill material were generated by crushing demolished masonry, saving £700,000 on the import of equivalent material and saving £250,000 in disposal costs and 30,000m ³ of topsoil was created from materials in the site.

The existing landscape has been sensitively managed throughout and has been enhanced to improve the vistas south. The outcome represents a very good example of development in a parkland or mature landscape setting and also highlights the importance of a good landscape maintenance strategy. The approach to sustainability in the construction process is exemplary and a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent' has been achieved.

Architect: Michael Laird Architects Landscape architects: EDAW

Further information on sustainable aspects of the design: http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/media/attachments/202895/Edinburgh-RBS-Waste-Mgt-Case-Study.pdf

CASE STUDY

ACCESS/REFURBISHMENT/ HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE EXTENSION, ABERDEEN

His Majesty's Theatre, which is grade A-listed, originally opened in 1906, and was designed by Frank Matcham who is well known for his work on a number of grand theatres across the United Kingdom. The theatre has now been imaginatively refurbished and extended in a project by Aberdeen City Council's architects, whose design makes the building fully accessible to theatre-goers with special needs, provides a range of new facilities, and brings added vitality into the building. Adapt Trust were access consultants on the project and LDN Architects, who are experienced in the creative revitalisation of important historic buildings, were also employed as consultants.

The five-storey redevelopment rejuvenates the theatre, and the auditorium has been sympathetically refurbished to retain its Edwardian colour scheme. The seats have been re-upholstered, and the leg room has been improved in the stalls by replacing the rows and offsetting the seats. The front-of-house facilities have been modernised and a restaurant, coffee shop and corporate hospitality area added. Technical and audio-visual equipment have been improved, and there is a new Green room for performers, upgraded dressing rooms and a purpose-built rehearsal and education area. The installation of two lifts has contributed to making the venue fully accessible.

A £2 million grant towards the £7.8 million refurbishment was provided through the National Lottery Fund managed by the Scottish Arts Council ( SAC). SAC Lottery Funding is conditional upon a high level of accessibility for people with disabilities.

The project is the biggest refurbishment in the theatre's history and is the largest granite construction in Aberdeen for a considerable time. His Majesty's Theatre is the only theatre in the UK to be completely built of granite and, as in the original, the new work has been carried out with granite sourced from Kemnay.

The thoughtful integration of the old and new, together with improved facilities and comfort conditions, significantly increases its attractiveness as a venue for theatregoers and performers alike. This is an excellent example of public architecture carried out by the City Council's in-house team.

CASE STUDY

AFFORDABLE HOUSING/ACCESSIBILITY/ SUSTAINABILITY/REGENERATION
TELFORD ROAD, EDINBURGH

Telford Road is a housing development designed by Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop Architects (gm+ad) for Manor Estates - a charitable Housing Association that aims to provide good quality, affordable and sustainable housing and services to meet a wide range of housing needs. Sustainable principles were adopted throughout the project, which comprises twenty units, four of which are for tenants of 'varying needs' and are fully accessible for wheelchair users.

A key intention in the project has been to encourage, through the architecture itself and through the spaces it creates, social engagement between the various groups of residents. An important design consideration has, thus, been how to maintain a balance between a sense of privacy and ownership, and opportunities for interaction with neighbours.

The housing is grouped around a number of communal landscaped spaces, which are articulated in a such a way as to delineate the public and semi-private realms. These public spaces are overlooked by terraces, balconies and enclosed spaces. Outdoor terraced gardens on the first floors form shared multipurpose spaces and provide semi-public areas between flats. The internal stairs lead onto generous glazed landings which the residents are encouraged to personalise as conservatories. Each flat has staggered projecting window seats or winter gardens which maximise the south-west aspect of the blocks and allow several visual connections with the surrounding public spaces.

The project is intended to act as a catalyst for regeneration of the strip of disused railway land behind the existing Telford Drive, and forms part of a larger masterplan presently being undertaken by gm+ad for * EDI. The site backs onto one of Edinburgh's proposed tram routes, and integration with public transport opportunities was also a strong sustainable driver for the project. It is an excellent example of the kind of sensitive, people-focused design necessary for the creation of real, working neighbourhoods. The scheme also demonstrates the quality that can be achieved on a modest budget through a rational approach to layout and the use of a limited number of good, simple materials.

*The EDI Group was established in 1988 by The City of Edinburgh Council for the development of Edinburgh Park. It has since developed as a private company which works in partnership with both public and private sectors, carrying out property projects that are not only profitable, but whose primary objective is to bring added value in respect of architectural, environmental and economic development benefits.

A KEY INTENTION IN THE PROJECT HAS BEEN TO ENCOURAGE, THROUGH THE ARCHITECTURE ITSELF AND THROUGH THE SPACES ITCREATES, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE VARIOUS GROUPS OF RESIDENTS

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