April 23 2021

MAST Architects have unveiled their latest project to be delivered on behalf of Elderpark Housing Association, a mix of apartments, cottage flats and houses adjacent to the organisations recently completed Govan HQ.

Built by CCG on a prominent corner plot bounded by Nethan Street, Golspie Street and Harmony Row, which had lain vacant since the 1960s, the homes introduce a dramatic sweeping crescent to the street in a civic statement and to shield terraced housing to the rear.

The architects explained: "Through a process of testing, refinement and analysis, we worked to develop a formal approach which responded to the site’s prominent location, but was also sympathetic to the existing building typologies found nearby. A palette of varied buff brickwork is used as a base material, extending throughout the flatted block and the terraced housing, with a series of recesses and projecting bays carved and extruded from the base block.

"This is contrasted by the use of reflective copper cladding, primarily to the outer elevations, which is used to create a mansard detail to the upper floors and as a means to define the common closes along the flatted block. The inner face follows a similar approach, introducing proprietary sunspace pods to deliver further amenity space to the flatted block whilst also harnessing solar gain from the south-facing aspect and creating views into the landscaped courtyard below."

As part of the work new pedestrian through routes have been introduced linking to an established cycle and footpath skirting the western edge.

Photography provided courtesy of Keith Hunter

12 Comments

#1 Posted by David on 23 Apr 2021 at 10:38 AM

Looks good, and adds to the ongoing densification of Govan!

#2 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 23 Apr 2021 at 11:02 AM

Densification -- aye right.
Low rise terraced housing ...

Some stuff is half decent filler but surely the inner city suburb angle has had its day?

#3 Posted by David on 23 Apr 2021 at 11:55 AM

Yes densification, I am not quite sure that 4 and 5 storey apartment blocks are suburban as you are suggesting. The low rise terraced housing is located away from the street....a model that is found in many other areas of the inner city.

#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 23 Apr 2021 at 12:49 PM

They got it wrong in those other areas and they are just repeating the mistake in Govan.

Two storey back to backs are not the Glasgow way -- someone has been watching too much Coronation Street on the telly.

#5 Posted by David on 23 Apr 2021 at 13:08 PM

Areas such as Shawlands, Govanhill, Strathbungo, even parts of the west end, have two storey housing behind larger tenements.

#6 Posted by George Buchanan on 23 Apr 2021 at 16:55 PM

Looking good. Well done MAST

#7 Posted by fat architect in a black shirt on 23 Apr 2021 at 22:47 PM

Well done to the team at MAST.

don’t listen to the usual UR keyboard warriors who have yet to have a client or have anything built.

#8 Posted by Roddy_ on 24 Apr 2021 at 13:30 PM

There’s something rather over-wrought and over-bearing about this office’s work. Strange proportions, strange materials, horrible transitions (the mansard to pitched roof - metal to tile -really draws the eye – and not in a good way). The rear elevations are formally and visually jarring with a random materials palette that has everything but the kitchen sink. The rear low-rise terrace looks to have an entirely different language altogether. In total, a scheme that gives the viewer indigestion and in need of a long cool glass of water.
PS If ever a junction needed downgrading it is surely this one.

#9 Posted by the bitter words of failure on 27 Apr 2021 at 22:04 PM

i am reaching for the gaviscon just reading your diatribe. i am sure the good folk of Elderpark and Govan will be please to hear that you think there housing should downgraded.

#10 Posted by Roddy_ on 28 Apr 2021 at 00:25 AM

@#9
Hard to escape the conclusion that spelling, punctuation and actually reading the post @#8 might assist in better promoting your arguments. Just a thought.

#11 Posted by The Heart of Saturday Night on 28 Apr 2021 at 09:29 AM

#10

Settle down, petal.

This is a pretty solid scheme all told - there have certainly been far worse on this site in recent months. I quite like the copper, if I'm honest.

#12 Posted by Donnie on 28 Apr 2021 at 11:22 AM

Some nice aspects of the development and some less so. But what an ugly looking road junction - metal barriers everywhere to funnel pedestrians across expansive bellmouths and wide roads. I'd probably choose to jump in my car than walk or cycle about there.

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