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Professor Howard Liddell OBE
It is with deep regret that we must announce that Professor Howard Liddell OBE, Principal of Gaia Architects passed away on the 23rd February 2013.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, Howard’s career included ten years within academia - firstly as a senior lecturer and then director of research at the innovative School of Architecture at Hull, followed by two years as Guest Professor in Building Technology at Oslo. He developed a huge creative bond with his students who went on to form the Green Association of Idealistic Architects (Gaia) in Norway.
Howard maintained strong links throughout his career to the Gaia Norway office after returning to Scotland to establish Gaia Architects (Scotland). He pioneered ecological architecture with passion for the environment, community and placemaking.
Notable projects from his time as Principal of the practice are numerous, but include; Fairfield Housing which won a UN Habitat Award for regeneration and individual schemes within the development that pioneered attention to indoor environmental health and minimal environmental harm, Glencoe Clachan Visitor Centre – for it’s fittingness - realising the rarely achieved link between access and environmental protection. More recently; Acharacle Primary School – the first brettstapel building in the UK and; Plummerswood – the first (passive house certified)
brettstapel house in the UK. The Gaia network extended overtime to embrace the very best of those involved in ecological design and community development.
Howard co-founded the Scottish Ecological Design Association in 1991, and remained active within the organisation throughout his career. SEDA’s primary aim is to share knowledge, skills and experience of ecological design.
Howard also found time to undertake extensive charity work, most notably as a founder member of the EcoCity Projects, a partnership between Gaia and The Children's Parliament where children aged between 9 - 12 are supported to create a large scale model of their environmentally-friendly community.
Witnessing children's enthusiastic and informed participation, Howard became a strong advocate for children's participation. The first EcoCity had a Children's Parliament at its centre, an idea that Howard supported and within 4 years of the first project, Howard became a Trustee of Scotland's Children's Parliament and remained so until the past few months.
Howard also led a group of skilled volunteers to Tanzania in 2009 to complete a workshop building, a garden store, a well for agricultural and a deep well for clean drinking water for the charity, who provide training and healthcare for children affected by poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Howard’s passionate and tireless contribution to the world of ecological design debate, research, publication and built works will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure and honour of working for and alongside him.
He was an inspiration.
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Principal of Gaia Architects recognised in the New Years Honours List
Howard Liddell, Principal of Gaia Architects and Co-Founder of the Scottish Ecological Design Association has been recognised in the New Years Honours List with the award of the title ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’, for services to Ecological Design and charity.
Howard is currently busy completing the second edition of “Eco-minimalism” (due out in March) before tackling his next venture “Eco-max – the carbon-free papers” which will deal with the rest of the much ignored agenda of sustainability.
However, he took time out to be interviewed by Hattie Hartman of the AJ shortly after the New Years Honours List was published. You can read the article, where he tallks about what the award means to him, here:
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/sustainability/aj-footprint-exclusive-howard-liddell-on-his-obe/8640947.article
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Proving that green can be beautiful
We are delighted to announce that Plummerwood has won the 2012 Scottish Home Awards Architectural Excellence Award (Single Dwelling).
An Eco-house that wins a national Architectural Excellence award is a rarity but not unique. Gaia achieved this 20 years ago with the Weem House (UK House of the Year 1992).
http://www.scottishhomeawards.com/
- Projects like this…
- Plummerswood - Active House
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Post Occupancy Evaluation of Plummerswood
Gaia Research is Lead partner in-an depth assessment of the performance of Plummerswood house, which is part of the UK’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB) Building Performance Evaluation programme. This research will result in a report on the user experiences and monitored findings for the passive standard house, built from Brettstapel mass timber, completed in 2011. The goal of the TSB in-depth studies is to ensure that the UK construction industry is better placed to understand the performance of a range of different building types, design strategies, construction methods and occupancy patterns, and the relative contribution of various factors to the eventual overall performance of buildings. This understanding is intended to enable the construction industry to meet the government aim of all new buildings being carbon-neutral by 2016 (domestic) and 2019 (non-domestic). Gaia Research, and their partners in the monitoring are particularly keen to investigate the moisture buffering performance of the structure and finishes, the effectiveness of the MVHR in creating a good indoor environment and the implications in terms of energy compared to local occupant control. To date the monitoring has reviewed build quality and handover, and the energy and internal environmental conditions, under occupant and automatic control conditions over a short period.
- Projects like this…
- Plummerswood - Active House
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Glentress receives Gold Green Tourism Award
Forestry Commission Scotland’s flagship centre, Glentress Peel, has been given a Gold star rating in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
The gold star rating is the highest possible within the scheme and is acknowledgement that the visitor centre development is built and managed on eco-friendly principles.
Andrea Nicholas, Manager of Green Tourism Business Scheme:
"We're delighted to award Forestry Commission Scotland with the Gold award for its stunning Glentress Peel development.
"Not only does the building look fantastic, it is also very practical
for the outdoor visitors that it caters for. The Commission has approached the whole development on sustainable principles and its green credentials are just what we would like to see replicated elswhere."
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/WebPressReleases/C0345B2FC428767380257A0C002E43AD
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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Glentress shortlisted for the EAA Building of Year 2012
Earlier this year, we were delighted to be informed that Glentress had been shortlisted for the 2012 Edinburgh Architectural Association's 'Building of the Year' Award.
We were particularly pleased to be shortlisted for this particular prize as the award recognises design quality, rather than the sustainability credentials Gaia is already renowned for.
http://www.eaa.org.uk/edinburgh/awards/2012/glentress-peel/
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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Feasibility Study for Hanover Housing Association
We are very pleased to be working with Hanover Housing Association again - this time on the refurbishment of a property in Elgin, which was badly effected by the flooding there in 2002.
The building's river adjacent site sets us an interesting challenge and we are currently busy developing a strategy for improving the building's thermal peroerformance, that addresses the ongoing flood risk in the area.
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Formal opening of Acharacle Primary School
Acharacle Primary School was formally opened in February.
The pioneering eco-friendly timber school is proud of its title as “Scotland’s first wholly sustainable school”. The brief for an exemplar school that underpins the building was written by Gaia Group following participation by some members of the Highland Council in study tours of Norwegian and German schools organised by Gaia.
Gaia Architects went on to design the school incorporates many special features such as high insulation levels, lots of natural light and minimal mechanical and electrical engineering to ensure a very low energy use.
- Projects like this…
- Primary School, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan
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On the move!
From 15/02/12 Gai Research, Gaia Architects, Gaia Planning and Gaia Aldas we will be based at:
12/1 Gayfield Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3NR
You can still reach us on: 0131 557 9191 and our email addresses will remain unchanged however there may be some minor disruption to service between the 14th and 16th Feb as we relocate our IT equipment. Thank you for your patience as we settle in to our new office.
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Passive House Consultancy
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Happy New Year!
Best Wishes for 2012 from all at Gaia Group
Please keep an eye on the blog over the next few weeks for some exciting announcements from Gaia Group.
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Merry Xmas
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Plummer's Knowe complete
- Projects like this…
- Plummerswood - Active House
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Acharacle POE
The Post Occupancy Evaluation of Acharacle undertaken for TSB by a team led by Gaia Research is due for completion in December 2011.
- Projects like this…
- Primary School, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan
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RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Shortlist 2011
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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Plummer's Knowe update
Work on the private house at Plummer’s Knowe is now nearing completion with the external elevations of the house completed and the finishing touches being added to the internal finishes. Included within the internal fit-out are a number of bespoke pieces of fitted furniture, which have been designed to blend in with the internal style.
Also nearing completion are the external works for the house. A combination of dry stone walling and wild flower soft landscaping is being used to help tie the house in with its immediate landscape. As the surrounding trees develop and the external larch cladding tones down, the house will quickly blend into the hillside.
- Projects like this…
- Plummerswood - Active House
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Glentress Visitor Centre open for business
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SEDA MAG - 20th anniversary edition
Sandy and Sam joined forces with other members of SEDA to produce a bumper birthday edition of the Scottish Ecological Design Association Magazine on the theme of the “Importance of Ecological Design”. Sandy was guest editor and invited contributions from a wide variety of sources. There is a plan to hold an event on the same theme in October 2011.
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GAIA ALDAS Launched
Gaia Research has taken over the running of ALDAS (Air Leakage Detailing & Awareness Services) The need to carry out infiltration testing in non-domestic buildings is applicable for building warrant applications in Scotland since May 2011. ALDAS is well placed not to simply test buildings but to provide the upfront assistance and guidance to architects and contractors on delivering to targets without the cost and inconvenience of repeat tests.
GAIA ALDAS principal consultant is Paul Jennings, who has carried out many thousands of air leakage tests upon buildings & parts of buildings throughout the UK and around the world, for energy efficiency and fire protection purposes. More recently Paul has responded to designers needs & concentrated on design for airtightness, reviewing building designs and leading design workshops, often on site, to ensure that air permeability targets are met without delay and excessive costs. He is also a lecturer, a presenter and a trainer of air leakage testers, as well as the author of numerous articles relating to air permeability.
Contact:
GaiaALDAS@gaiagroup.org
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Lauriston
Gaia Architects have been specialist advisers to New Gorbals Housing Association and Austin Smith Lord Architects on the delivery of 50 apartments on McNeil Street, where the objective has been to deliver on Gaia’s sustainability Framework for Laurieston.
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ARK Housing
Gaia assisted ARK housing in developing a sustainability policy.
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Sustainability Advisor – Fife Council
Gaia assisted Fife Council Architects in developing the brief for a number of new schools.
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Energy Efficiency and indoor climate
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Housing Associations
March 2011
With the Government launch of the most recent ‘Housing Design Quality Standards’, Gaia have been approached by a number of housing associations across the country to develop strategies for improving the thermal performance of their existing building stock. In depth technical and social analysis of the buildings and occupants has highlighted common weaknesses, and gaia are working with these organisations to develop site-specific solutions to alleviate fuel poverty, improve occupant comfort and reduce building defects.
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LifeCare
March 2011
Following recommendation by the Climate Challenge Fund, Gaia were approached to carry out a Feasibility Study to develop strategies for LifeCare, an Edinburgh-based welfare charity, to improve the energy efficiency of their 1970s office. Recommendations from the subsequent air-tightness and thermographic surveys led to a number of parts of the building fabric being replaced and upgraded, and LifeCare’s open day to celebrate this work will be held on Monday 28th March.
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Glentress update
March 2011
With the help of some decent weather and a last minute push from the contractor, Practical Completion has been certified on Glentress, with all four buildings passing their final, pre-handover air-tightness tests. The tenancies have been let for the Cafe and Bike Shop and it is expected that the the fit-outs of these buildings will start soon. The laying of the final, tarmac wearing course in the next week or so will make the site look a lot tidier and ready for the onslaught of the anticipated 300,000+ visitors expected annually.
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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ROSE
February 2011
Recommendation from a current client has led to an approach for Gaia to lead the redevelopment of a derelict carpet factory in Midlothian. The private client is looking into the feasibility of transforming the building into an antiques warehouse, and combining this with social enterprise to provide a cafe and gift shop. Located within a park, and with a number of pedestrian and links and visitor attractions nearby, the project offers the project team the opportunity to create an exemplar sustainable refurbishment showcase.
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Xmas Reading List
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Glentress
December 2010
Building Work is nearing completion on site, with finishing work such as the application of mineral paint to the clay plaster ceilings is well underway.
The wood fuel boiler, hopper and auger components of the site-wide district heating system are currently being installed. The solar control blinds to the full
height tripled glazing in the café are also in the process of being fitted.
The second fix airtightness tests are due to be carried out shortly.
The tendering process for the business opportunities at the café and bikemonth fit-out period, in time for the Spring 2011 season.
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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Plummer's Knowe
December 2010
Construction workers from Austria have been erecting the Brettstapel superstructure for the private house at Plummer's Knowe, which despite tough snowy conditions has now been completed.
With all the external windows and doors also now fitted to the superstructure, the first air-tightness test could be conducted to establish the performance of the building fabric. The result achieved for this test was 0.38 ACH (1/h) (0.51m3/(h*m2)), which exceeded the PassivHaus standard target 0.6 ACH (1/h).
In the New Year, the next phase of the project will commence and will be the internal and external fit-out for the house, with an estimated completion date of May 2011.
- Projects like this…
- Primary School, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan
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RIAS article
November 2010
Professor Howard Liddell has outlined his thoughts on New Towns as exemplar Eco-Towns in an RIAS article published in November 2010.
Click here to read.
- Projects like this…
- CABE Urban Design Summer School
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Fulford Steading
October 2010
The conversion works - now complete - included replacing the previously un-insulated floor and incorporating expanded clay insulation, addition of 200mm of recycled newspaper and woodfibre insulation to the walls and roof and the installation of passive stack ventilation to the kitchens and bathrooms. All window and doors are triple glazed and woodfuel stoves with back boilers have been installed in both units to provide heating and hot water to the low-flow sanitaryware goods, Mineral paints have been used throughout the interior and the external larch cladding is untreated.
They two buildings received airtightness test results of 2.43m3/(h.m2)@50Pa and 3.12m3/(h.m2)@50Pa respectively, a notable achievement for a conversion project and testament to the dedication of the site agent in ensuring the airtightness membranes were not compromised by the separate trades brought on to the site.
- Projects like this…
- Tressour Wood, Weem, Perthshire
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Project in the Park
October 2010
A Townhouse and Mews private housing project within the Marie Louise Gardens, in Didsbury, on the southern boundary of the City of Manchester.
The project involves the designing of contemporary houses that enhance the setting of the adjacent early 20th century garden and neighbouring villas. It also includes the preparation of a strategic site development plan that ensures that the house designs are located to minimise their visual intrusion when viewed from within the gardens. The housing is designed to “PassivHaus” standards.
- Projects like this…
- Glencoe Visitor Centre
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Creating Sustainable Communities
Gaia Research have delivered a Sustainability Checklist for Fife Council: Creating Sustainable Communities and Buildings, which can be downloaded by
clicking here
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Hartwood Home Farm
May 2010
Client: The Macaulay Institute
Gaia was commissioned to undertake an options appraisal study of the Macaulay Institute Hartwood Farm complex. The aim was to provide a detailed feasibility for the development of the farm as a centre for alternative land systems and a venue for national conferences.
Following a number of stakeholder workshops, Gaia were able to prepare a detailed brief and tune the study to consider both the re-development of the existing farm steading buildings, and the broader master plan for the surrounding farm sheds and landscaping.
In parallel with the design-based study, a full economic assessment was made to determine the financial viability.
- Projects like this…
- Regeneration and Renaissance of Greater Shotts
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St Andrew University Estates Relocation
April 2010
Gaia were approached to undertake a concept scoping study for proposed new offices and workshops for the Estates Department of St Andrews University
The study involved desktop and field studies to ascertain the parameters that would influence the scale, massing and location of the development on the main approach to the medieval town. Particular issues are the relationship of the proposed development with adjacent listed student accommodation, designed by the renowned architect James Stirling, the nearby St Andrews Links golf course and the fluvial flood plain site constraint.
The scoping study concluded that the development could be designed as a “gateway” to the expanding university, and an exemplar of sustainable architecture.
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Port of Leith Housing Association
March 2010
Gaia were invited by the Port of Leith Housing Association (POLHA) to assist the HA in the development of a tailor-made Sustainability Policy based on specific priorities and aspirations. The outcome was a strong and transparent policy aimed at ratcheting up design quality and environmental performance of all new and refurbishment development. The policy also included an implementation plan based on short, medium and long term goals of the Staff of POLHA and other stakeholders. GAIA also undertook a gap analysis to determine an action plan that would assist the HA to move from their current position to where they aspire to be.
- Projects like this…
- McKenzie Court, Fairfield, Perth
- Leslie Court, Fairfield, Perth
- Tollhouse Gardens, Fairfield, Perth
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Dunfermline Eco-City
November 30th 2010
- Projects like this…
- The Children's Eco-City
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Ingrebourne
January 2010
GAIA is partnering with Stirling Prize winners Macreanor Lavington on the development of a visitor centre in East London.
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
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Kijiji
December 2009
In the current 3 year period the office is supporting activity on the Kijiji project for ‘Children of Songea’. www.childrenofsongea.org.uk This is an Edinburgh based charity that supports Children in Songea, Tanzania who are victims of HIV/ Aids. Specifically Gaia staff and their families have volunteered their time to develop a Masterplan and building design of new accommodation including a pre-school– Kijiji - for the Trust and raised finance to fund and to participate in the construction activity. Please consider donating yourself and click
here for a Kijiji brochure.
Click
here to view Gaia Group work
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Energy Efficiency and indoor climate
Historic Scotland have published Gaia’s scoping study on research into energy efficiency and
indoor climate.
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Sustainability Advisor – Fife Council
Gaia assisted Fife Council Architects in developing the brief for a number of new schools.
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land reclamation to sustainable leisure - Bickershaw
Activities Centre, Golf Club, Educational Facilities
Client: Wigan Council and English Partnerships.
2007- current
Gaia were invited by MacCreaner Lavington Architects to engage in a joint venture at Bickershaw
Park, a former opencast mine being reclaimed for recreation and seeking to meet the highest
criteria for sustainability in both the landscape and the building complex.
Gaia are sustainability consultants for both the parkland and the building design and actively
engaged in the design, specification, environmental modelling and value engineering of the project.
The parkland comprises an 18-hole golf club and driving range, an outdoor activities centre
including water activities, and general recreation ground for horse, cycle and pedestrian users.
The building acts as a hub for all of these and is conceived in a courtyard form with different uses
articulated such that the opportunity to remain separate or to mingle with other site users is
maintained.
The project is seeking to achieve zero carbon through both the materials selection and the
Passivhaus standard approach to the design. Modelling is employed to ensure that the design is
optimised for daylight, sunlight, heating, humidity control and natural ventilation. The whole
design is being vetted for its indoor environmental quality, and all materials and construction
methods are selected accordingly.
The project commenced on site in 2008 and will be completed in 2010.
- Projects like this…
- Glentress Visitor Centre & Masterplan
- Primary School, Acharacle, Ardnamurchan
- The David Douglas Pavilion