July 8 2024

Glasgow has opened a consultation on future design priorities for tall buildings in response to a growing developer appetite to reach for the skies.

Responses will help to shape the city skyline by identifying the most suitable locations for tall buildings while setting out recommended design parameters to ease their passage through planning.

Open until 30 September the consultation seeks to juggle demands for regeneration and increasing population while maintaining the character of the central conservation area. Encompassing everything from planned skyscrapers to more modest additional floors on a repurposed building the feedback received will help to shape tall buildings design guidance.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly said: “New Tall Buildings are an increasing feature of Glasgow, particularly where increased density will help us grow the city centre population. With more proposed and in the pipeline, we are refining the planning and design guidance so that these buildings are located and designed in the best way for the city."

Draft guidance recommends that tall buildings employ a distinct top, middle and base with a preference for slender footprints over 'slabs' and an embrace of podiums over standalone towers. Other no-no's include roofscapes cluttered by the provision of services and maintenance equipment as well as the omission of setbacks and step-backs. 

8 Comments

#1 Posted by William on 9 Jul 2024 at 13:04 PM

Should build high. Glasgow was known for it tall buildings and high quality serviced apartments like in Brisbane Australia or office blocks would get filled I'm sure. Let Glasgow grow again

#2 Posted by James Hepburn on 9 Jul 2024 at 14:26 PM

There needs to be a consultation on the quality of architecture.

#3 Posted by Tall poppy on 9 Jul 2024 at 16:15 PM

The question is not 'should we build high, yes or no?' The question is 'how should we build high?' and, critically, are we happy with the speculative market we have now driving land prices in Glasgow to unsustainable levels? Without clear and strict guidance regarding overall height, density, location, tenure, mix, amenity, community contribution etc. we've seen more and more examples of undercooked and overdeveloped planning applications drafted to turn a quick profit by flipping the site rather than actually being built. Glasgow should have had a tall buildings policy years ago, I fear it's coming too late to bring land values back into check.

#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 9 Jul 2024 at 16:36 PM

Student politicians taking lessons from the Ladybird book of tall buildings.
Not good -- far too prescriptive.

A plan for everything.
Delivery on nothing.

#5 Posted by Poppet on 10 Jul 2024 at 09:02 AM

The streets are too narrow for overly tall buildings, they just become dark and depressing, much like this clickbait website.

#6 Posted by Pants on 10 Jul 2024 at 09:53 AM

The horse has bolted, sadly Glasgow was not like Berlin.
It's just pants!

#7 Posted by Roddy_ on 10 Jul 2024 at 15:04 PM

This is a welcome -if somewhat late- addition to the city's supplementary guidance. If it can help to avoid the ground level howlers at Buchanan Wharf here :
https://www.google.com/maps/@55.853906,-4.2604852,3a,75y,326.9h,103.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seUWeeC3e9K0U0VMuMhbPSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&coh=205409&entry=ttu
and the phony active frontage here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8553886,-4.2635938,3a,75y,167.24h,108.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sONphChoTfpuJXy2nYBOGRQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&coh=205409&entry=ttu
Or the looming blank rear facades of the Clayton Hotel or Motel one, then I'm all for it.

Having read the document cover to cover, I'm afraid it merely proscribes the worst excesses of poor design - you know the stuff that is basic 101 design (both urban and architectural) rather than actually encouraging good design ie well modulated, designed in the round, itegration of art, slenderness ratio, proper crowns and terminations, proper plinths etc etc etc. It speaks voulumes that there is not one precedent image of good practice - a classic planning document with classic discretionary get-outs.

I hope the final draft is more engaging and a bit more enthusiastic for good quality design - at all scales.

#8 Posted by Roddy_ on 10 Jul 2024 at 15:05 PM

Meanwhile get your ugly talls in for planning now before it becomes adopted guidance.

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