Waterside Edge

The Waterside Edge Development consists of 58 new homes for Govan Housing Association for rent and sale ranging from 1 bedroom flats to 4 bedroom houses. There are two 4-storey flatted blocks and a row of six 2-storey terraced houses.

The development is located West of central Govan and bounded by the busy thoroughfare of Govan Road to the South and a working shipyard to the North, beyond which is the River Clyde. The surrounding buildings are primarily traditional sandstone tenements.
Relating to the scale of the surrounding tenement buildings had a strong influence on the design, from concept stage through to technical detailing. The introduction of double height spaces and galleries within the flats, together with the use of large areas of glazing and large module cladding materials afford the new buildings equal status with the historical buildings. In addition a good quality of space and light is achieved within the homes, and fantastic views across the Clyde and towards the spires and towers of
Govan are maximized.

The main materials used externally on the buildings are terracotta rainscreen tiles, cast stone, quartz zinc and partially pre-oxidised copper cladding. The rich red colours of the copper relate to the red sandstone tenements and to the industrial colours of the shipyard. The materials were chosen for their robustness and quality, in-keeping with the district’s Conservation Area status.

The development achieves BRE Ecohomes accreditation through the use of simple and modest measures. The buildings are highly insulated, use water saving devices, and maximize natural ventilation and solar gains. Security is embodied within the design and self-policing is promoted with the carefully developed site layout.

The spaces surrounding the buildings, and boundary walls and fences, were designed with the same attention to detail as the buildings themselves. The high quality materials add interest, whilst the planting of new trees and hedges provide a sense of life and seasonal change. Historical cobbles were excavated from the streets and used for the new parking bays, whilst new defensible space panels were introduced at the existing tenements.

The development forms a cornerstone to the ongoing process of regeneration in Govan, and it is hoped will act as a catalyst for further change. The design balances a respect for the historical context with elegant detailing of contemporary materials, and creates a new sense of place with a strong identity.