Stunning Saltcoats Site Chosen for Design Competition
22 October 2007
A national competition has been launched to design a landmark housing development for a prime site in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire in a project which is the first of its kind in Scotland.
The competition organised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, is being sponsored by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and local building company McLaughlin Construction.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay said: "This site is simply stunning and lends itself to a landmark building. "We are delighted to be working with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland to offer this site for a design competition.
"We are asking architects to produce designs for apartments which will meet very good design and build standards and which importantly, will be a high quality design which exploits the location and a suitable landmark for this prominent location.
"We also expect high levels of environmental sustainability."
Dick Cannon, a well respected and award winning Glasgow architect is the competition's independent assessor. The other jurors will include developer Paul McLaughlin, sustainability expert Lori McElroy and Arthur Watson, Development Manager with Irvine Bay URC.
The competition seeks to generate designs which will maximise the site's sea views to Arran and meet the need for two and three bedroom flats in the area.
The development will meet the BREEAM Ecohomes Very Good standard. This standard seeks to minimise energy consumption and reduce waste in construction including using materials supplied from renewable sources, using pre-fabrication to reduce on-site waste, specifying materials with a high recycled or re-used content, sourcing materials that are accredited from sustainable sources and which minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing and sourcing materials locally to reduce transport emissions.
In addition, the designs will seek to influence the way in which the occupiers of the houses conserve energy and minimise waste.
William Wood of RIAS said: "This is the first design competition of its type where we have worked with a local regeneration company and construction company to produce a compelling landmark design for an apartment block. We expect there to be a high level of interest in this competition."
Paul McLaughlin, Director of McLaughlin Construction, the site owner said: " We are keen to make sure that we maximise the potential of this site with a development which will not only be a great place to live but which also helps with the wider regeneration of Saltcoats and the surrounding area.
The closing date for designs to be submitted is 7th December and it is expected that a shortlist will be interviewed before the winner is announced in mid-January.
Further information on the competition is available to from the RIAS and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company http://www.irvinebayurc.co.uk/
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For further information please contact:
Dorothy Fenwick, Communications Manager, Irvine Bay URC: Tel: 01294 475487 / Mobile: 07793 144763
Or
Willie Wood, Director of Client Services, RIAS: Tel: 0131 229 7545