Sustainability in Architecture (SUST)
The Sustainability in Architecture project, SUST, funded by the Scottish Executive and devised by The Lighthouse, aimed to raise public awareness of sustainable design in the built environment and the contribution it can make in delivering a sustainable future. After the first phase from 2002 to 2004, the key objectives of Phase II, 2004-07 were:
e-Centre Development - a portal to the other elements of the project, with a website link;
Client Training/Guidance - providing client organisations with the right knowledge effectively to oversee the design and building process on green principles;
Green Business Strategies/ Grant Aid - enabling clients to take the first steps towards a more sustainable approach, supplemented by a grant-aid scheme for client organisations who wish to follow a more sustainable design route;
Events/Raising Awareness/Best Practice - events to disseminate information on sustainable design to client groups, local authorities, other public sector organisations and in community settings;
Tools and Techniques - developing the Green Directory and the Ecological Design Gateway established in Phase I as key elements of the proposed e-Centre;
Education Programme - opportunities for young people linking the themes of green design, sustainability and architecture.
In its second phase SUST shifted the focus from awareness raising to enabling and delivery of sustainable buildings in practice within an overall framework of sustainable communities, supported by other elements of the project such as the Green directory and the development of the over-arching 'E-Centre'. The website was fully redesigned, as was the educational tool My Sust House, in order to make the whole SUST experience more interactive and appealing on all levels, with a particular emphasis on 'If they can do it - so can we!'.
The SUST e-Centre contains an information portal which sorts information according to key search criteria, and by bioregion, and provides signposting for information and guidance for sustainable built environment projects. Information is organised according to geographical area and includes possible funding sources for sustainable design approaches. The portal is designed to provide information to client groups, communities groups, the general public and architectural professionals.
The project sought to undertake more delivery and joined-up action, and to align with the Built Environment section of Choosing our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy, while making the links with other key target areas such as travel, thriving communities, environmental justice and heritage and resources. There was greater involvement in live projects and cross- and inter- organisational activity in order to increase the number of sustainable buildings and developments delivered generally in Scotland.
SUST made inroads in mainstreaming sustainable design by working with key stakeholders in the design and delivery of the built environment on a wide range of mechanisms, events and activities. SUST began a process of change in shifting perceptions about sustainable development from an activity generally perceived as marginal and costly, to a more holistic approach and one which not only makes good business sense, but also provides healthier and safer buildings and brings enhanced social and environmental benefits.
A series of case studies highlighted the best examples of real projects demonstrating sustainable design in schools, offices, and housing in Scotland, allowing sharing of the learning experience. The types of organisations that have benefited from SUST include client groups, government organisations, local authorities across Scotland, housing associations, local community groups, primary and secondary schools, architects and other design professionals, specifiers, students of architecture and the general public.
There was cost-effective collaboration with like-minded organisations such as Architecture and Design Scotland to identify areas of 'synergy'. Most of the partner organisations indicated a commitment to the continuation of individual projects and the overall SUST campaign.
In 2005 there was support for related events such as a Construction Industry Environment Forum seminar, a Scottish Solar Energy Group Seminar on Making Renewable Energy a First Choice, and a Building Research Establishment seminar, Practical aspects of renewable energy in buildings, November 2005. SUST organised a Homes for Scotland Sustainability Seminar in September 2005.
SUST arranged a follow-on exhibition in 2005 in the Lighthouse after the RIAS Accreditation in Sustainable Building Design Launch at the Scottish Parliament, and took forward other awareness raising projects from Phase I: Sustainable Designs on You II, Six Cities II, and Design Guides for different building types - updated with new guides added. There was a workshop for Maryhill Housing Association development and maintenance staff as part of Sustainable Designs on You, January 2006.
SUST assisted with small grants a Solar Panel Project in Crathie Drive, Glasgow, for Partick Housing Assocation, an Eco Playground in Moray, a Sustainable Back Courts Project for Maryhill Housing Association, Glasgow, and a Dundee Low Energy House by Dundee City Council. SUST gave grants to other small-scale projects, including:
The Hub, Easterhouse - small scale wind turbine project - £7,000.
Craighead Primary School - small scale wind turbine project - £7,000.
Rural Stirling Housing Association - small scale renewables project - £2,000.
Clydesdale Housing Association - small scale biomass project - £1000.
RMJM Architects for Sighthill community, Glasgow - regeneration project - £1000.
SUST developed a publication "Sustainability: Building our Future - Scotland's School Estate" for the Scottish Executive Schools Division on sustainable schools for the Scottish Executive's 'Building our Future' series which was launched at the 'Learning Spaces, Building Partnerships' conference at Heriot-Watt University in December 2004. There was advice on sustainability in new school design on Islay.
There was a seminar and workshop for South Lanarkshire Schools Team on sustainability in school design, Traditional and PPP, April 2006. On design and construction of sustainable schools SUST produced two books on German and Norwegian Schools with Gaia for the Scottish Executive Education Department Schools Division. There was a Sense of Place Publication for the Education Department Schools Division. 20 schools case studies were produced for the Schools Division Website. There was support for development of a Higher Education Sustainable Procurement Toolkit.
Providing educational opportunities for young people linking the themes of green design, sustainability and architecture, the My Sust House game was revised and launched at the Lighthouse Autumn Spotlight in September 2006. It was also included as recommended/ useful material on the Learning Teaching Scotland sustainable development education website. My Sust House won a Scottish BAFTA, November 2006. There was a My Sust House Exhibition, December 2006-March 2007.
There was a field trip in August 2006 with Homes for Scotland and SFHA to see sustainable housing in Finland, Denmark and Sweden. Highlighting and celebrating achievement in sustainable design in Scotland, this drew attention to best practice internationally, with contributions to publications and international conferences.
SUST funded a study into waste minimisation using tyre bales as foundation materials. There was support for a Scottish Solar Energy Group (SSEG) Seminar, Making Renewable Energy a First Choice, June 2005. SUST co-organised and participated with a presentation at a Carbon Trust Seminar, Low Carbon Buildings, February 2006, at the Lighthouse.
The project continued in 2007-08. Further information is at www.sust.org
Contact
The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow. G1 3LX
Telephone: 0141 221 6362
E-mail: enquiries@thelighthouse.co.uk
Website: www.thelighthouse.co.uk