Ushida Findlay Building plan

Ian Ritchie Building plan

Ian Ritchie Building

One of the other ideas developed in these homes is that houses should be flexible – the result of the external steel structure is that none of the internal walls are load bearing – they can be moved or removed completely as the needs of occupants change.

For example a disabled resident may want a larger bedroom, or a couple with children may want to create a dining room off the living space.

Look at the plans here and plan your own ideal home.

• Where do you want the bedrooms?
• Do the walls need to be straight?
• Where is the best place for the living room,
and should the dining area be separate or integrated?
• How would you use the balcony?
• If you had a solar panel or a wind turbine where would you put them?
• Try using sliding doors instead of fixed walls to create flexible rooms which can have different uses at different times of the day.

Energy

The new Housing Association who had very strong views about energy conservation. Some of the ideas put into practice were very simple – for example to the north the windows are relatively small. To the south, the windows are much larger to take advantage of solar gain which even in winter can have a significant effect.
Another obvious idea is to make the walls thicker to get as much insulation as possible, which helps to reduce heat loss.

A number of other devices have been used to improve the performance of the houses. Special glass is used to reduce heat loss. Heat recovery systems ensure that extractor fans don’t simply empty warm air from inside to the outside when they operate.

Look out for ways that other energy issues have been tackled – for example water conservation, waste recycling and outdoor sheltered balconies.

Homes for the Future 2
The next stage of development

Phase 2 of the Homes for the Future development reflects the philosophy of Page and Park’s original master plan. Like the first phase, it includes a variety of housing types; an intimate courtyard garden area; mixed tenure housing – housing for rent and housing for sale; and units with views across the Green. The Phase 2 site is a triangular site, situated between Glasgow Green and the barras market area and will accommodate up to 140 housing units. As in Phase 1, the project encourages new or young architects practices to work together with more experienced practices. There are three development sites, each of which will be developed by two architects.