Fairfield Housing Co-operative, Perth
www.fbnarchitects.co.uk
www.gaiagroup.org
www.bshf.org/en/to.php/about/whawards
In 1981, Hunter Crescent,as it was known then, suffered the highest level of multiple deprivation in Scotland. There was a lack of belief that the area could be turned around. In 1984 the Scottish Development Agency asked Gaia Architects to run a series of community consultations and assess the concensus for regeneration and the way forward. This exercise led to a radical action plan to be implemented by a new residents-run housing co-operative.
Since then, regeneration of the area has taken a phase by phase approach led by the residents in partnership with Gaia Architects and Fraser Brown Newman Architects. This long-term approach has been one of the key factors in the community's transformation. The whole design and specification of each project phase has been geared to a green agenda. Housing was renovated rather than demolished, using healthy and energy efficient materials. In addition to prioritising energy saving measures, measures to create healthy indoor climates have been fundamental to housing projects.
As a result there has been a reduction in fuel poverty and repiratory-related illnesses and an increase in employment levels. This has been matched in a reduction in crime and the stigma of the estate has been lost, making it a desirable place to live.
The key ingredients in this transformation are time and community involvement. This combination created work opportunities and training fro residents during the construction period with ongoing management being led by the Fairfield Housing Co-operative. Today, the latest phase of the project has been completed. Tollhouse Gardens was developed to strict low-allergy specifications, the estate now enjoys worldwide recognition and was recently been short-listed for a 'World Habitat Award'( http://www.bshf.org/en/to.php/about/whawards/).