Critical Regionalism: Local Perspectives
Feilden Fowles, LATERAL NORTH
Gallery Four
18 August
5.30 - 8.00pm
Critical Regionalism is a series of three speaker events hosted by the Glasgow Institute of Architects.
Book your free place via this link
Curated to run in parallel with the summer exhibitions currently showing in the Lighthouse; Glenn Murcutt: Touch the Earth Lightly and Space, Time, Place & Occasion, an exhibiton of Year 5 PGDip/MArch student proposals from the University of Strathclyde, the events will explore the issue of critical regionalism locally, nationally and internationally.
'Local Perspectives’ is the first of the three events. A presentation by award winning architecture practice Fielden Fowles will discuss their recent body of work and the issue of maintaining or developing local traditions through architecture and design. Scottish research and design collective LATERAL NORTH will host a presentation on developing a sustainable community in Fintry.
About Feilden Fowles:
Feilden Fowles is an award winning London based architectural practice, founded in 2009 by Fergus Feilden and Edmund Fowles.
The practice specialises in delivering socially and environmentally sustainable buildings across a variety of sectors and aims to produce architecture that is rich in character and distinct in identity. Projects are inspired by local vernacular and utilise innovations in sustainable technologies and construction techniques.
Investigation of each project begins by developing an intimate understanding of both place and people; combining existing conditions with human needs, to arrive at simple, functional and inspiring structures.
Built works to date include: Ty Pren, a passive long house which is inspired by the rich local vernacular of the Brecon Beacons; The Lee Centre, a £1.75 m applied learning centre and The Rose Building teaching block, both for Ralph Allen School in Bath. The practice is currently working on a range of housing, educational and cultural projects including a new gallery and visitor centre at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and a new Visitor centre at Carlisle Cathedral.
The work of the practice has been recognised in a number of awards including a 2014 RIBA National Award and 2015 Civic Trust Award for The Lee Centre, Ralph Allen School. The practice received the inaugural Young Architect of the Year Award in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) UK Excellence in Design Awards in 2015.
About LATERAL NORTH
LATERAL NORTH is a research and design collective based in Glasgow, Scotland.
LATERAL NORTH looks to investigate Scotland’s new place and identity within an economically emerging northern region; exploring the relationship between people, culture, places, industries and economies.
With a shift in approach and traditional ideology, LATERAL NORTH engages in cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary design and research. This collaboration allows discovery, investigation and testing of previously over-looked opportunities and engage people in long-term, strategic, holistic visioning.
Fintry has led the way with community development with the purchase of a wind turbine in 2007 and the simultaneous establishment of Fintry Development Trust (FDT). FDT’s goal is to develop a zero carbon zero waste, sustainable community. FDT has been successful with making significant progress towards this goal with 246 of 333 houses assessed for heat loss and insulated, 91 renewable heating systems installed so far, establishment of Fintry Energy Efficient Transport (FEET), the setup of a community garden, installation of a district heating system powered by renewables in the Balgair Castle Holiday Park and various carbon cutting education initiatives. During early 2014, the Directors of FDT recognised the need for building a strategy for Fintry’s future. Like so many rural Scottish communities, Fintry has witnessed a continual decline in services over the last few decades. FDT (in partnership with Lateral North) secured funding from the Big Lottery: Investing in Ideas to develop a “masterplan” for the community. Lateral North and Dr Anne Winther conducted an extensive community consultation to map Fintry’s development opportunities and priorities. This report sets out the results of the consultation and key ideas for further development, prioritisation and community discussion and agreement.