Architecture+Design Scotland

Show navigation

A+DS Views

1 General
1.1 We support the Client’s ambition for the estate and commend the Project Team’s approach to the project thus far. The presentation of the development framework and masterplan, which were both recently approved as Interim Planning Guidance, clearly demonstrated a strong understanding of the site’s woodland setting as well as it’s urban context. Developing the existing pockets of land within the estate’s woodland seems like an interesting and logical proposal; however the success of such spaces will be determined by the way in which each of these individual development portions are holistically developed in terms of connectivity, character and quality. We offer the following comments for both the Project Team and the Planning Authority to consider as part of determining the current application for Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) and in developing more detailed designs.

2 Masterplan
2.1 Urban Context
We note the central street proposed to link each of the development areas within the estate and connect back to the wider urban area. On one hand this has the potential to mediate junctions with existing roads network outwith the estate, whilst balancing the distribution of uses within the site on the other. In this regard we suggest that the Project Team examine further the requirements of the proposed mixed-use centres as to how these will serve the residents of the new development and surrounding community alike. We also highlight the proposals for a new health centre as part of the masterplan and recommend the Project Team give particular consideration to it’s location, accessibility, design and capacity, according to the community’s needs in this part of Aberdeen.

2.2 Woodland Setting
We believe the concept of developing the estate from the inside – out, by utilising the pockets of land within the mature woodland, has the potential to create a unique place to live. These pockets exist as a series of special spaces within the estate that vary in character and setting and could present a challenge in terms of creating a continuous yet differentiated environment. Therefore, we encourage the Project Team to consider further how the detailed design of each development block might address changes in immediate context, whilst remaining consistent in terms of public realm and buildings character, to create a coherent community.

2.3 Public Realm
We acknowledge the Project Team’s proposal to link the development blocks through a network of interconnected footpaths and streets. As such, we recommend that a public realm strategy should be established in detail as part of the masterplan and embedded through the determination of the PPP application. Such a strategy should consider the proposed public realm on several levels, including:

- The hierarchy of spaces in terms of courtyards, streets, civic spaces, and woodland areas.
- The design of the streets and how they promote consistency through the different development blocks.
- The treatment of the roads edge to create options for the community to utilise the whole of the street space.
- The variation of character, texture and scale between each of the development blocks and how these combine to form a unique sense place.
- The configuration of spaces within the woodland area as public realm, to reinforce the street links between the development blocks.
- The relationship with buildings typologies, materiality and character.
- The connection with the River Don and opportunities to create public realm along it, over and above the footpaths and cycle routes proposed.
- The creation of a clear parking strategy which allows that cars, and their corresponding hard surfaces, do not dominate the environment.

2.3 Buildings
Notwithstanding the indicative images of houses and community facilities included as part of the masterplan, we recommend that the design and arrangement of any proposed buildings should interact with the woodland. We also encourage the Project Team to consider how buildings might support consistency of language throughout the estate as well as create new features within it.

We note the Project Team’s reference to Scandinavian examples, with specific regard to buildings in proximity to trees. We commend their process thus far; their having carried out a tree survey, considered the condition of various specimens throughout the estate, discussed findings with the Local Authority and then proposing a layout accordingly. Going forward, we encourage the Project Team to take an adventurous approach to the form, scale and materiality of the buildings. In particular we advise that bespoke house types should be a necessity for such a unique place and request clarity on how the design and quality of buildings will be managed.

3 Delivery of the Development
3.1 Phasing Strategy
The delivery of development needs to be carefully considered to ensure that high quality places are established from the outset of construction and produced consistently through to completion of the overall development. At present we understand from the masterplan presented that the Project Team intend to construct all of the infrastructure, landscape and buildings associated with each development block on a phase-by-phase basis. We suggest that the development should initially be enabled by creating all core streets and footpaths proposed in the masterplan, as an armature that connects the whole estate and which might accommodate change without being detrimental to the over-arching intent. From such an investment in the delivery of the design concept at this time, all buildings, public realm and landscaping can subsequently evolve consistent with the aims of the masterplan.

3.2 Managing the Woodland
We note that the masterplan includes a woodland management plan that describes how various parts of the woodland will be made good, minimally cleared for development and should be maintained thereafter. However, we question who will be responsible for the up keep of the estate in the future once development is complete, and note that it is essential that responsibility for ongoing maintenance is determined now so that the woodland does not become overgrown and potentially detrimental to the buildings and public spaces created

Conclusion
We believe that the masterplan presented at the meeting has the potential to create an exemplary development and encourage the Project Team and Local Authority to ensure that the strength of the current proposal is maintained through to scheme delivery and is not diluted through the next design stages.. As existing, the estate is an incredible experience as a whole and we encourage the Project Team to consider how buildings and public realm might enhance the woodland setting as well as create new features within this unique place. We recommend that the masterplan should be tested further to assess any barriers to fulfilling it’s aspirations, particularly through visualisations rather than in plan form, to gain a stronger sense of what the new experience of the estate might be like from both inside and outwith the development site..

We would welcome the project back to Design Review at the next appropriate point in design development.