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The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland: Report on the Public Consultation

16.0 MEDIA AND CRITICISM

16.1 The majority of respondents agreed that positive coverage of architecture by the media has an important role to play in raising awareness of building design and generating a favourable climate in which good design can flourish. It was suggested that good media coverage helps to demystify the processes of design and to encourage debate. This, in turn, leads to a better informed public and clients more likely to demand good design standards. Several respondents noted that the publication of the framework document itself had raised the profile of architecture and stimulated debate.

16.2 Respondents, however, expressed considerable concern over the current level and standard of coverage of architecture by the media. Many respondents felt that the treatment of architecture in the press, even amongst the broadsheets, was poor. Respondents noted that the UK national broadsheets tended to have better coverage of architecture with dedicated correspondents writing regular columns. Respondents were disappointed that the Scottish broadsheets failed to cover architecture in a similar way. It was suggested that when the press did cover architecture it was to report conflict and to portray construction projects as expensive, over budget and rarely completed on time. It was felt that this only served to present a negative image of architecture and the design professions. Other respondents felt that press coverage often reinforced an elitist perception of architecture and architects. Despite this, several respondents felt that there was an increased interest in architecture and design in the media and that this should be capitalised on. The popularity of television programmes such as Changing Rooms was seen as evidence of a latent demand amongst the public for coverage of design. Some respondents were, however, concerned about the superficial handling of design within this type of programme and were unconvinced that they represented a step forward. There was a welcome for more informed, accessible coverage such as the Building a Nation series of programmes.

16.3 Respondents expressed concern about the limited range of books and publications being produced which dealt specifically with Scottish architecture. It was suggested that funding should be made available to remedy this and provide support for specialist publications. The recent launch of the journal ARCA¹² which focuses on contemporary Scottish architecture and the publication of the book Clone City¹³ were cited by respondents as examples of publishing initiatives to be welcomed.

16.4 There was discussion amongst respondents on the role of criticism in the media. It was suggested that much of what passes for criticism was more akin to promotion than dispassionate and objective analysis. One of the reasons for this, it was suggested, was that the architectural community in Scotland was relatively small and commentators were reluctant to adopt what might be regarded as controversial positions. It was suggested that the architectural profession itself could do more to communicate effectively in the media although it was acknowledged that the profession had an understandable reluctance to engage in critical and potentially controversial commentary in public.

16.5 Respondents noted that the programme of events organised under Glasgow’s year as City of Architecture and Design had helped stimulate media interest in architecture. Specific projects such as Homes for the Future and The Lighthouse were cited as initiatives that had helped build a new audience for architecture. Respondents felt that The Lighthouse in particular had a key role to play in encouraging and maintaining media interest.

16.6 Respondents suggested a number of ways by which media coverage of, and interest in, architecture might be improved. These included: more extensive publicity for architectural competition entries and demonstration projects; more critical reviews of new projects; the publication of a yearbook of Scottish architecture; greater use of the Internet as a means of promulgating information on architecture; and the creation of national and local architecture centres.

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