Laurieston Transformational Regeneration Area, Phase 1A

Project Description

Laurieston Phase 1a provides 201 homes for people and a renewed place for Gorbals and for Glasgow. Laurieston was cleared of traditional tenements in the 1950s and 60s and re developed with four double blocks of multi storey flats. Three of these blocks have now been demolished with the last remaining block now empty and scheduled for demolition in 2015. The regeneration has followed a master plan developed by the Association, in partnership with the City Council and in consultation with the local community. Design and planning input came from Urban Initiatives and Page and Park Architects. A first phase of 201 affordable rented homes has now been completed in a new layout of streets and mews settings. A variety of public and semi-public spaces have been created in which the new residents can meet, interact and develop social capital. At its simplest, the project builds on the urban character of Glasgow, comprising clearly defined urban blocks to reinforce the grid-like quality of the city. Its character follows a contemporary tenement form, with a wide variety of housing types – apartments, maisonettes and terraced houses exploiting where possible the rich possibilities of corners, southern aspect and courtyard environments. An evolution of the Glasgow tenement, the new housing follows the traditional ‘close’ model of the city, but adopting more open arrangements for living, dining and kitchen spaces. Balconies replace the ‘bay’ window typical of many Glasgow residential blocks, creating external spaces for residents. Deep front gardens along the main roads create a barrier between residents and the bustle of city life. The project has achieved a BREEAM EcoHomes standard of ‘Very Good’, combining a very thermally efficient building envelope with heat recovery systems and low energy lighting to create warm, comfortable homes that are more affordable to run. Laurieston’s location – a mere 10-minute walk from the city centre, with a variety of public transport options and nearby amenities – means that car ownership is not essential and the project prioritises people and pedestrian over cars. The new central street (Margaret Street) cuts through this first phase, with wide pedestrian pavements and small areas of planting to punctuate the parking bays. The development starts the process of re-establishing Abbotsford Place as a broad avenue which will ultimately re connect south Laurieston to the City Centre via a public park.