GHA bring forward plans for 41 Govanhill homes
February 6 2017
Situated on the former Victoria Primary School on Batson Street the planned scheme will re-use perimeter stone gate posts where possible and will seek to ‘re-establish the original tenemental scale’ of an area now home to 1980’s semis.
In their design statement the architects observed: “The design and character originate from traditional forms which prioritise scale and proportion, detail and materiality and use these as devices to control and introduce a formal order into the elevation. The elevations are reliant upon the continued treatment of primary architectural elements - vertically proportioned windows, and simple building materials. This is further enhanced by careful and minimal integration of secondary details such as Juliette balconies and canopies. This approach establishes a continuous language throughout the development.”
Corners will be differentiated by changes in brick colour and pattern with a pitched parapet and feature corner windows utilized with a shared landscaped courtyard to the interior.
It is the latest social housing scheme for the area to be brought forward following a 22 home scheme by CCG and Mast.
Cooper Cromar have ssought to evoke Glasgow's tenement heritage
The development takes the place of the former Victoria Primary School
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7 Comments
#1 Posted by Paul Sweeney on 6 Feb 2017 at 12:54 PM
Disappointing that the proven model of residential conversion of this fine old red sandstone school was not the basis of the project. While a restoration of density is good, it is doomed to be an inferior scheme than if the school conversion had formed the basis of it. HES needs to undertake a listing of all these Glasgow/Govan School Board buildings, they are utterly integral to the city's built environment and amongst the best expressions of its distinctive architectural vernacular, which is under a continuous, regrettable war of attrition.
#2 Posted by vomitbeard on 6 Feb 2017 at 12:59 PM
wow, what an inspiration for architects of the future. Why not retrofit the school building, rather than build this, or has it already been reduced to rubble?
Architects also need to start hiring better people to write these awful design statements.
Architects also need to start hiring better people to write these awful design statements.
#3 Posted by David on 6 Feb 2017 at 13:42 PM
Totally agree with the aforementioned comments. It is an absolute disgrace that this building has been demolished, which I tried to have listed and put on the buildings at risk register two years ago.
The proposed scheme is actually quite good, and would have been a welcome addition if we were talking about a brownfield site that had lain empty for years. The fact that this solid, red sandstone historic property has already been demolished, rather than converted, to be replaced by this scheme really makes me think that the urban planning policies in Glasgow, and Scotland as a whole, are going in the wrong direction. Shame on all those involved in the destruction of this beautiful building.
The proposed scheme is actually quite good, and would have been a welcome addition if we were talking about a brownfield site that had lain empty for years. The fact that this solid, red sandstone historic property has already been demolished, rather than converted, to be replaced by this scheme really makes me think that the urban planning policies in Glasgow, and Scotland as a whole, are going in the wrong direction. Shame on all those involved in the destruction of this beautiful building.
#4 Posted by Charlie_ on 6 Feb 2017 at 16:48 PM
I find the suburban style off street parking bays nearly as dispiriting. Do we honestly need a designated space per unit of social housing in a city with <50% car ownership?
#5 Posted by Glen Ferguson on 6 Feb 2017 at 17:35 PM
I personally feel Govanhill should've had the £250 million thrown at it not Sighthill. Flatten the lot and start again is the only solution for this area.
#6 Posted by vomitbeard on 7 Feb 2017 at 12:09 PM
I think they were right to spend the money on Sighthill rather than Govanhill, they were replacing bad stock social housing with good stock, plus it feeds into the wider regeneration of Port Dundas nicely. Well I say nicely as long as they have some kind of high street function, cafe's shops etc, and not make the same mistakes which caused the social depravation issues in the first place, which was basically making an isolated area with nothing to do.
#7 Posted by Derek Wilson on 7 Feb 2017 at 13:54 PM
The problem with listing is that there needs to be unique elements. No idea how many must be demolished before we can list the few remaining.
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