Growing Scotland’s architecture sector
We will work with the sector and our partners to achieve our vision, mission and purpose.
Our work
By being the centre for excellence for architecture and design in Scotland, we lead by example, promote the benefits of good design, support the sector and seek strategic change.
Grow Scotland’s architecture and design sector
Our principal role will be to support the architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design sectors to grow. We will do this by:
- Connecting Scotland's design expertise to international markets
- Working to remove barriers to growth within the procurement and planning systems
- Providing resources to help practices to grow
- Showcasing design excellence
- Promoting the value of design
Accelerate quality housing growth
Our work will look at creating the conditions to build better, faster and more affordable housing by piloting new design-led models that challenge the status quo.
Designing homes for Scotland
We work with local communities and the Scottish Government to shape what future housing will look and feel like. We also work with housing associations and developers to ensure housing today is built to prioritise the people who live there. This will include:
- Applying our design expertise to unlock housing sites to ease the housing emergency for people in Scotland
- Supporting efforts to increase the use of Scotland’s Modern Methods of Construction capabilities
Public Sector Capital Investment
Evidencing design impact through our work in Healthcare and the Learning Estate to improve delivery and outcomes in the wider public sector capital investment and support Public Sector Reform
Designing learning environments for all
We work with the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and local authorities to support anyone involved in designing learning estates across Scotland. We share our expertise, coordinate advice, and produce resources on subjects such as local and outdoor learning and accessible and inclusive design.
Designing health and social care facilities for patients and staff
We work alongside the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directorate (SGHSCD) and Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to support health boards and those who commission new or substantially redevelop facilities create healing places for people in Scotland.
Digital innovation
Using digital innovation to amplify our impact by combining data-driven approaches and digital tools with our core design expertise
Using Digital innovation to support the architecture and design sector
Using digital innovation as a cross-cutting theme in all our work to amplify our impact by combining data-driven approaches and digital tools with our core design expertise. We will do this by:
- Implementing emerging AI, data and digital technologies
Acting on the Climate Emergency
Embedding net-zero principles and climate resilience throughout our work.
Use design to address the climate emergency
We will work across our focus areas and with partners to ensure design can help tackle the climate emergencies and benefit the people of Scotland.
- Support the implementation of policy through design-based approaches
- Champion the power of Scotland’s design sector to tackle the climate emergency
Helpful tools and resources
We have plenty of useful and inspiring documents and videos to help you get started or keep going.
Our latest news, blogs and events
Shared Learning Event: Sensory Inclusive Learning Environments
We are hiring: Design Officer (Fixed-term opportunity)
A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards for Architecture 2026
How our landscape can shape learning, living and the design of our buildings
Caroline Parkinson on being a Board Member of A&DS
Why now is the moment to join the Architecture and Design Scotland Board
Header image credit: Miss Lydia Photography