Ushida Findlay Building

McKeown Alexander Building

Ian Ritchie Building

Homes for the Future was a project conceived by Glasgow 1999, the company responsible for delivering Glasgow’s ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’ festival in 1999. Phase One of the project was one of the main components of the 1999 programme. Homes for the Future Phase Two is now being developed by Glasgow City Council.

Homes for the Future involves the development of a site bordering the Merchant City and overlooking Glasgow Green, in the east end of the city. It has transformed a largely derelict space into an international showcase of architecture and modern living.

The project started when Glasgow 1999 launched a design competition inviting developers
to submit plans and team up with local, national and international architects. They were challenged to create commercially viable houses which tackled issues such as energy conservation, environmental concerns, latest building technologies and the changing family structure. The developments had to fit into a master plan drawn up by Glasgow architects Page & Park with Arup Associates.

Homes for the Future Phase One resulted in a number of different and exciting homes. Potential buyers were very excited about the development and many people bought properties from John Dickie Construction before they were actually built. Particularly popular were two seven-storey blocks of flats which overlook Glasgow Green; one of these was designed by Rick Mather, the other by Elder & Cannon. Both blocks have wide glass facades facing the park so residents can enjoy the view, bright light and passive solar heating. The Elder & Cannon homes feature low-cost flats as well as some upmarket Sky Apartments with floor to ceiling windows and a retractable roof which brings the outside inside, allowing sun to pour into the living space.

The Homes for the Future development is very mixed. One bedroomed apartments have been built alongside family homes; disabled access apartments alongside split-level, rooftop penthouses.

Among others, the Burrell Company built a 12-apartment block designed by the Tokyo-based Ushida Findlay Partnership as well as terraced housing and flats by Glasgow practice McKeown Alexander. The new local Housing Association commissioned architect Ian Ritchie to design 12 flats for rent, and Logan Constuction worked with RMJM Architects.

Many of the Phase One homes were finished during 1999, and some of them were rented to Glasgow 1999 to form part of the Homes for the Future exposition. These homes were open to the public for several months so that local and international visitors could experience the latest thoughts in housing design.

The project was sponsored by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Development Agency, Scottish Homes and Glasgow 1999. Project management by Rock DCM.