31 January 2008
Raymond Young CBE, Chair of Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS), has welcomed today's Scottish Parliament debate on school buildings. Speaking after the debate Mr Young said:
"Today's robust debate on school buildings provided a welcome opportunity for A+DS to brief MSPs of the successes and failures of school projects that we have assessed. We outlined that there are a number of factors for ensuring successful school buildings, but we also identified the most common failings. Among the potential pitfalls are issues that can arise due to the procurement method employed".
"The procurement methods used have not always ensured real engagement between clients and design teams, or that high aspirations for design quality are maintained through to delivery. We explained that while it is difficult to say that any single procurement method is responsible for producing poor quality it must be recognised that the constraints imposed by PPP/PFI processes have, in many cases, stifled debate and creativity. Transferring responsibility for the quality of the finished product to those less motivated in the wider public interest makes delivering a quality school more difficult to achieve".
"I am pleased that both the Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt MSP and the Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram MSP recognised in the debate the importance of A+DS's role in supporting excellence in school design. Through the efforts of A+DS staff and board members we will continue to work with the Government and local authorities to champion schools that we would be proud for the children of Scotland to be educated in".