June 4 2015

Austin-Smith:Lord architects have unveiled an £8.2m development of 80 affordable homes in Vineburgh, Irvine, on the site of the former John Galt primary school.

Built on homezone principles and connecting with an existing footpath network the scheme includes properties suitable for wheelchair and general needs occupiers with features such as ground floor stores suitable for conversion to accessible shower rooms, level access, adjustable height units, accessible sockets and provision for future ceiling hoists to be installed.

A number of energy efficient features are also built-in including thermal and sound insulation, water saving measures, helping the scheme attain a BREEAM ‘EcoHomes – Very Good’ accreditation.

A-S:L partner Graham Ross commented: “Having been involved in developing a Masterplan for adjacent sites in Vineburgh for North Ayrshire Council we relished the opportunity to respond to the Council’s visual brief and develop a housing design solution for the former John Galt school site. The layout applies Designing Streets principles and creates linkages that bind the site into the wider local path network.”

9 Comments

#1 Posted by james on 4 Jun 2015 at 13:12 PM

Oh Dear. Exactly.

'Can i please have some timber cladding to visually warm me up please? I promise not to be a 'potential building maintenance problem' if you'll just let me go silver-grey?'

#2 Posted by dave on 4 Jun 2015 at 15:34 PM

Grim would be a compliment

#3 Posted by Auntie Nairn on 5 Jun 2015 at 08:28 AM

Such a shame, as ASL have been responsible for a lot of rather good housing in the past. The eaves detail looks nicely thought out, but the rest of it - meh.

#4 Posted by Sir Ano on 5 Jun 2015 at 12:30 PM

Image 2 looks like a scene from shameless.

#5 Posted by Auntie Nairn on 5 Jun 2015 at 13:54 PM

Oh, alright then... since no-one else is going to jump down the rabbit hole - an "award for quality in planning" obviously doesn't translate to a pleasant scheme. {slow clap}

#6 Posted by MaxwellHouse on 5 Jun 2015 at 14:57 PM

Wait until there a loads of cars parked straddling the edge of carriageway "rumble strip" and footway - cue many, many complaints from residents.

#7 Posted by Stephen on 6 Jun 2015 at 14:16 PM

Looks like it was VE-ed to death. Might have been half decent on a drawing way-back-when.
Love that little glass porch!? : /

#8 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 6 Jun 2015 at 20:17 PM

Image 3 shows why more architects should start drawing downpipes on their scheme elevations.

#9 Posted by Auntie Nairn on 8 Jun 2015 at 14:35 PM

Bairn - firstly, get in the house and wash yer face!
Re downpipes - absolutely. But why go to the bother of white downpipes to blend with the render, that then stand out horrendously against the soffit - it's like someone can't think in 3D??!

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