Aberdeen live/work units submitted for planning
July 19 2012
Evolving the often misunderstood concept of a live/work unit beyond the stereotypical office shoehorned into a spare bedroom the architects have striven to create a professional environment in which living and working is conducted on the same site, creating a small business community.
Cited as an inherently sustainable means of living this approach negates the need of daily commutes and cements the notion of community by fostering a better work/life balance.
Their design employs flat roofs to minimise visual impact with stacked granite cladding and sedum roofing. Each distinct work unit has a defined street frontage to the north whilst the southerly aspect is entirely private, comprising a secluded garden area.
Kate Brown, director of Brown + Brown Architects said: "We’re very excited to be involved in one of the first true live/work projects in Scotland, although being 'non-standard' the development does bring certain problems, the key one being that currently there is no adequate planning designation for schemes of this type.
“The local community have reacted very positively to the proposals and we see this as an exciting opportunity to create a contemporary settlement for integrated living and working.
“We would like to see development of this type more widespread across Scotland."
Brown and Brown believe the typology has much untapped potential in this country
The project is currently awaiting a major application committee date
The scheme is intended to encourage low carbon living by reducing travel requirements
The scheme is proposed for a site at Rashiereive near Foveran
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13 Comments
#1 Posted by Edward Harkins on 19 Jul 2012 at 11:44 AM
Well done Brown & Brown and Aberdeen. I’ve been increasingly thinking that for a whole range of reasons the time has come for a return to the traditional urban model of live/work. The potential extnds across new-build and change of use or rehab or existing premises. A specific area of promise IMO is the social enterprise and third sector in general. There are many traditional localities in the main Scottish urban centres where older redundant properties could be converted to live/work with a bit of shared ingenuity between, say: a housing association; some local entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs, or micro-start-ups; a supportive local authority planner; Scottish Government agency (wake up there ScotEnt!) and an architect/designer.
#2 Posted by The Beard on 19 Jul 2012 at 12:23 PM
Well done indeed - fantastic project
#3 Posted by bombuy on 19 Jul 2012 at 12:34 PM
interesting project and nice visuals - but nothing will ever make up for wearing boxing boots to uni Andrew.
#4 Posted by Rem Koolbag on 19 Jul 2012 at 12:40 PM
Fantastic. Lovely idea, great execution - all in probably one of the most sophisticated schemes ever to be presented on Urban Realm, both design wise and presentation wise.
Kudos. Will need to keep an eye on how this progresses - hope it doesnt fall foul of planning decisions.
Also curious to see how the first image relates to the wee house block model, or is that for another block entirely?
:-)
Kudos. Will need to keep an eye on how this progresses - hope it doesnt fall foul of planning decisions.
Also curious to see how the first image relates to the wee house block model, or is that for another block entirely?
:-)
#5 Posted by bari on 19 Jul 2012 at 12:42 PM
Nice stuff from Broon and Brown...
(Had forgotten about those belters mentioned above too!)
(Had forgotten about those belters mentioned above too!)
#6 Posted by Alan Dunlop on 19 Jul 2012 at 14:11 PM
Very interesting project, B+B good luck with it.
#7 Posted by Andrew Brown on 19 Jul 2012 at 14:37 PM
Thanks very much for the positive comments. Fingers crossed regarding planning designation. I won't wear those boots to the committee meeting.
#8 Posted by Art Vandelay on 19 Jul 2012 at 14:55 PM
Yeah Andy, looks braw...good luck with it!
#9 Posted by Miles Van Der Rohe on 20 Jul 2012 at 13:24 PM
1. Not in Aberdeen;
2. Looks like yet more unaffordable car dependant rural executive housing;
3. No means of controlling use, so sustainability credentials highly questionable;
4. Looks more like Bauhaus than Browns'hoose, proabably more suited to 1920s Berlin than Banff and Buchan;
5. Lovely visuals but fundamental locational / planning issues;
6. Live /work units in Aberdeen - How about converting the Broadford Works rather than demolishiing it? - maybe worthy of a news item, ed?
2. Looks like yet more unaffordable car dependant rural executive housing;
3. No means of controlling use, so sustainability credentials highly questionable;
4. Looks more like Bauhaus than Browns'hoose, proabably more suited to 1920s Berlin than Banff and Buchan;
5. Lovely visuals but fundamental locational / planning issues;
6. Live /work units in Aberdeen - How about converting the Broadford Works rather than demolishiing it? - maybe worthy of a news item, ed?
#10 Posted by T on 24 Jul 2012 at 13:47 PM
good work andy. I remember that outfit, Cambridge five outfit and boxing boots!
#11 Posted by didier on 30 Jul 2012 at 14:50 PM
quite nice, just do something with the perimeter wall. By something I mean give something back to the street then just A WALL. Good luck
#12 Posted by Broon on 21 Nov 2012 at 12:07 PM
Planning Application was REFUSED :
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2012/1743
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2012/1743
#13 Posted by Andrew Brown on 1 Dec 2012 at 11:11 AM
Not sure who 'Broon' above is, but not me. Planning application was approved by committee of councillors, but referred to the Infrastructure Services Committee in Aberdeen, as it represented a departure from the LDP. This committee refused the application on a vote 8 - 6. A planning appeal is currently being considered.
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