July 4 2023

A brownfield hinterland cutting off the Barras from the city centre is to be bridged by the Wheatley Group with plans for 34 apartments above two ground-floor commercial units.

The property management giant has instructed John Gilbert Architects to oversee the delivery of a range of mid-market rent properties, all built to housing for varying needs standards - including four wheelchair-adaptable homes.

The urban island is not without its challenges including proximity to a culverted burn and elevated railway line but is a key component of the Barras masterplan. Outlining some of the constraints placed on the design the architects wrote: "The positioning of the building should be to front Gallowgate and infill the gap between established blocks, which in turn creates dark north facing areas for private amenity spaces and requires careful design to maintain privacy to rooms facing the main road.

"These can be looked at through design of the floor plans and creating landscaping finishes that work well in shaded areas."

The focal point of the scheme is the corner of Gallowgate and Molendinar Street where the block is pushed back sufficiently to accommodate a modest public space. Explaining the chosen design the architects added: "Ground and first-floor windows are joined with a curtain wall infill between brick columns chosen to echo the repetitive rhythm of framed arches along Molendinar Street. A string course elegantly finishes this feature with large-format pre-cast pieces, capping this structure and framing these features.

"For the upper levels, a double window feature has been used to play with the window widths to create interest in an otherwise simple facade composition. This window pattern is reflected in the curtain walling used for the common closes, used to bring relief to the sections of brick and create definition between the three areas of accommodation across the block."

A brick boundary wall will screen the north of the site with a gated entrance providing access to private gardens, a bike store and a residents' shelter for all-weather use. 

9 Comments

#1 Posted by Roddy_ on 4 Jul 2023 at 17:53 PM

Truly astonishing that this is the best we can do this close to the city centre and more proof- were it required - that we need proper design codes to underpin development in this area.

We get a sort of lame affair that shrinks away from its principal edge with set backs and then sterilises the other edges on Spoutmouth and Molendinar Streets. The blank wall and bin stores to Molendinar Street is an especially nice touch across from the railway arches. This could have been an incredible lane with the right kind of building typology and street activation. Alas, we get this kind of anti-urban proposal as previewed in Wheatley's Calton Village and elsewhere.

I've seen some embarrassing stuff in Glasgow over the past 10-15 years and the austerity architecture that seems to pervade the planning portal, but this could top the lot.

PS the milky, raw renders straight out the Revit frame buffer are, I suspect, close to what will be realised.

#2 Posted by Georwell 84 on 4 Jul 2023 at 20:50 PM

Being adjacent to the proposed former goods yard development was expecting a high rise that used the full footprint here.
Barras area needs a substantial population increase while maintaining its market atmosphere to fulfill its potential.
Should not be difficult due to its proximity to city centre and Glasgow green.
Don't expect to reach Bugis standard but would be nice to aim higher.

#3 Posted by pooka on 5 Jul 2023 at 09:50 AM

the feature corner comms boxes really make this scheme

#4 Posted by Sue Pearman on 5 Jul 2023 at 09:57 AM

I can’t help thinking these ground floor flats will be unpleasant at the best of times and unbearable on Parkhead game days.
Yes retail is pretty low end in this area but even a single unit taken out to the corner and along Gallowgate could give the opportunity to create a raised terrace on the corner and possibly even enough space for a small Coop type store, and would make this proposal considerably better.

#5 Posted by Barraman on 5 Jul 2023 at 13:56 PM

Whilst the current carpark is truly dreadful, I am not in favour of placing a building here. Instead I believe the area would be better off if the carpark were transformed into an area of quality open space which could be utilsed by independent food vendors or even the odd farmers market... In an ideal world, this would also act as an incentive to utilise the commercial areas under the existing railway for more "leisurely" means, which in turn could break out onto this space and provide more "civilized" activity within this area of the city other than just marches/walks every other weekend...

#6 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 5 Jul 2023 at 14:33 PM

A real opportunity missed to provide world class allotment facilities. Wouldn't it be great if we were able to grow our own vegetables in a new fairer, greener and better Scotland.

#7 Posted by James on 5 Jul 2023 at 15:26 PM

What about a creating a fairy garden. You guys are nuts! - none of what you're asking for is commercially realistic. This is a housing association site every day, HA's don't like high rise for obvious historical reasons and a community garden; nice, but who's going to pay for it. I do agree that residential on the ground floor here is difficult and the continuity of the retail from Glasgow Cross to the Barras is a really obvious thing to to.

#8 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 7 Jul 2023 at 14:21 PM

James, I can't see the fairy garden being the same success here as places such as Skye and Arran.

Potentially an allotment area with maybe a nice water feature would be superb. The fountains of Bellagio make a great tourist trap, no reason why it couldn't be a similar success in Calton.

#9 Posted by Lovely on 8 Jul 2023 at 14:43 PM

Agreed, very boring and samey. Public space would be interesting or a more radical building. Build to rent from quasi-privatised HA. What do you expect?

Post your comments