Eastriggs Affordable Housing Opening Ceremony 21/8/2024Douglas BodellConstruction works have officially started on our large affordable housing development in Eastriggs for Cunninghame Housing Association.
Construction work has officially started for our client Cunninghame Housing Association and we were delighted to attend the official site start ceremony on 20 August 2024.
We obtained approval at Planning Committee Meeting for this large housing development on an allocated housing site to provide 74 affordable homes in Eastriggs, Dumfries and Galloway.
The designs have been developed in accordance with the established masterplan for the wider context and include publicly useable open space / landscaping.
The development provides a mixture of single and two-storey semi-detached and terraced dwellings with a good mix of housing catering for a variety of types including general needs and amenity.
Ashleigh Scotland Ltd will carry out the construction works with overall completion is scheduled for early 2026.
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Modular Housing Development Completed in Kilmarnock 16/8/2024Douglas BodellWorks have been completed on the largest modular low-rise, affordable housing development in Scotland!
Works have been completed on the largest modular low-rise, affordable housing development in Scotland!
This £17m project was delivered by Connect Modular for Cunninghame Housing Association with the support of the Scottish Government and East Ayrshire Council.
Situated on a steeply sloping, green-field site between the southern built edge of Kilmarnock and the A77 trunk road, this new housing development in Shortlees has delivered 101 homes for affordable social rents, to an area of significant need. The housing mix is comprises of two, three, and four-bedroom, two-storey general needs houses, as well as ten amenity bungalows and five wheelchair bungalows.
All 101 homes were produced in Connect Modular’s manufacturing facility in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, where over 90% of construction work was completed, including the installation of kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics. The use of modular construction was instrumental in ensuring that the 101 homes in this development are high quality, energy efficient and sustainable.
By taking construction off-site and into a controlled factory environment, the overall programme of works was significantly condensed. The development was completed 18 weeks ahead of schedule, a testament to the efficiency of the modular construction process.
Robert Potter and Partners were involved in the project from the outset to advise and steer the project through Planning and Building Warrant stages for our client Connect Modular Ltd.
Involved in the project from the outset to advise and steer the project through Planning and Warrant stages, Robert Potter & Partners have been involved in a range of architectural service provision to include drawings, variations, and collateral warranty agreements. The service provision has been both timeous and professional and a good working relationship has been established. We hope to use Robert Potter and Partners for future projects.
Emma Robertson, Chief Financial Officer, Connect Modular
The project is also a finalist in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2024.
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Bideford Care Home Completed 13/8/2024Douglas BodellWe are delighted to share the completion of our latest project in Bideford, North Devon – a beautiful 69-place care home nestled in a mature garden setting, right in the heart of the town.
We are delighted to share the completion of our latest project in Bideford, North Devon – a beautiful 69-place care home nestled in a mature garden setting, right in the heart of the town.
This three-storey building blends reconstructed stone and colourful, non-combustible cladding to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment.
With fantastic facilities like a gym, cinema room, hairdressing salon, and large terraced balconies, we’ve designed this space to offer comfort and joy.
We’re also proud of our ecological contribution which includes the unique Bideford Bat House, supporting local bat species.
A true blend of innovation, community, and care – well done to all involved!
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Net Zero Nation Accelerator Program 11/7/2024Douglas BodellRobert Potter and Partners join the Net Zero Nation Accelerator Program cohort in Dumfries and Galloway.
It seems appropriate during Net Zero Week, for Robert Potter and Partners to start work on the Net Zero NationAccelerator Program, working alongside other SMEs equally motivated to tackle the climate crisis.
The Accelerator program supports groups of SMEs over a year, fostering peer review, shared progress, and collective learning. Participants benefit from Net Zero Nation’s ecosystem services, including a Net Zero certified business directory and fortnightly learning and networking sessions. They also receive carbon accounting software, training, expert assistance, a validated carbon reduction plan aligned with Science-Based Targets, and certification, ensuring a clearly defined pathway to Net Zero. This comprehensive support structure continuously available over a period of years equips SMEs to make significant contributions to climate change mitigation and achieve long-term sustainable success.
We look forward to working closely with Net Zero Nation and collaborating with and learning from a host of like-minded SMEs in Scotland who are part of Net Zero Nation Ecosystem and who have committed to a low carbon future.
We are grateful for the support we have received from Dumfries and Galloway College to provide us with the opportunity to be continue our Net Zero journey in building a low carbon future and implement practical solutions needed for us to become a more efficient, low-carbon business with a Credible Net Zero strategy.
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Advanced Accredited Conservation Architect 9/7/2024Douglas BodellDouglas Bodell has been approved as an Advanced Accredited Architect in Conservation Architecture by the RIAS.
Douglas Bodell has been approved as an Advanced Accredited Architect in Conservation Architecture by the RIAS. This is the highest level of accreditation: Senior – Recognised Conservation Specialists
RIAS Conservation Accreditation demonstrates that architects are suitably qualified and experienced to act as the lead professional in grant aided conservation work. To achieve accreditation RIAS members must demonstrate their extensive knowledge and experience in conservation work.
Douglas has been Accredited in Conservation Architecture since 2014 and this upgrade demonstrates his experience in working in the historic built environment.
Advanced Level accreditation is only given to Architects with significant experience and understanding of conservation and historic buildings.
Robert Potter and Partners now have 3 Architects Accredited in Conservation Architecture at Advanced Level, with Douglas joining both Andrew Easton and Paul Moffat to provide conservation architecture services.
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World Of Work Week at the Practice 29/5/2024Douglas BodellAs part of our “World of Work Week” work placement programme we welcomed students, Alicia and Fraser to the practice.
Last week as part of our “World of Work Week” work placement programme we welcomed students, Alicia, and Fraser to provide them with a small taste of working an architectural practice.
Both Alicia and Fraser have a strong interest in architecture, design, sketching and art with both considering a future career in architecture.
In our Dumfries studio, Alicia who is a talented baker used her knowledge in this area to design a contemporary cookery school/kitchen/café extension to an existing building, demonstrating her design, artistic and creative skills throughout the week and she will no doubt have a bright future in architecture, design, and baking!
In our Glasgow studio, Fraser prepared a 3D computer model of a new Sports Hall and Gym design, and explored the way the building will sit in the landscape and accommodate the gym equipment and various basketball, badminton, and five-a-side courts. The resulting design was impressive!
We were delighted we could provide Alicia and Fraser the opportunity to learn about the course and profession with our recent Architectural Graduates and newly qualified Architects sharing their experiences with them.
All at Robert Potter and Partners wish Alicia and Fraser the best for their future and look forward to seeing their design skills develop!
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New Domestic on Construction Energy Assessor 27/5/2024Douglas BodellArchitectural Technologist Rachael Craig has achieved ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Domestic on Construction Energy Assessment.
We are delighted to share the news that our Architectural Technologist Rachael Craig has achieved ABBE Awarding Organisation Level 3 Certificate in Domestic on Construction Energy Assessment!
This qualification provides learners with the appropriate industry recognised qualification to be able to undertake domestic on construction energy assessments and to produce energy performance certificates for new homes or for the letting of domestic properties.
Rachael is one of three Domestic on Construction Energy Assessors we have in the practice to provide this specialist advice on energy design and performance.
Congratulations Rachael – well deserved!
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MSP Visits Passivhaus Developments in Dumfries & Galloway 25/5/2024Douglas BodellLoreburn Housing Association welcomed Alex Rowley MSP to Dumfries & Galloway to show him the recently completed Certified Passivhaus Developments in Dumfries and Dalbeattie.
Loreburn Housing Association welcomed Alex Rowley MSP to Dumfries & Galloway to show him the recently completed Certified Passivhaus Developments in Dumfries and Dalbeattie.
Alex Rowley MSP is a long-term supporter of the Passivhaus standard. His member’s bill, the Proposed Domestic Building Environmental Standards (Scotland) Bill, formed the basis of the policy adopted by the Scottish Government. Alex Rowley developed the Bill in response to the Scottish Climate Assembly’s 2021 Recommendations for Action, in which 97% of the Assembly voted in favour of the Passivhaus or Scottish equivalent standard for new build projects in Scotland which is currently being undertaken by the Scottish Government.
Robert Potter and Partners provided both Architectural and Passive House Design services on both these innovative affordable housing developments in Dumfries & Galloway for Loreburn Housing Association.
Uncategorized Comments Off on MSP Visits Passivhaus Developments in Dumfries & GallowayThe Passivhaus equivalent policy offers a long-term ‘spend to save’ approach that will help address Scotland’s fuel poverty crisis, help future-proof housing stock, and tackle our climate emergency. It was fantastic to bring together fellow MSPs, local authorities, housing associations and representatives from the Scottish construction industry to explore positive ways to take the policy forward.
New Retrofit Coordinator 6/5/2024Douglas BodellRory Kennon has qualified as a TrustMark approved Retrofit Coordinator in compliance with PAS2035.
We are delighted to announce Rory Kennon has qualified as a TrustMark approved Retrofit Coordinator in compliance with PAS2035 following completion of
Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination & Risk Assessment with The Retrofit Academy which allows the practice to provide an enhanced service in aspects of retrofitting.
The role of the Retrofit Coordinator is to protect both the client’s interest and the public interest. Retrofit Coordinators need to be qualified to provide end-to-end project coordination and to identify, assess and manage the technical and process risks associated with domestic retrofit projects. The Retrofit Coordinator plays a pivotal and overarching role in the retrofit process.
Rory is a key and experience member of our in-house Sustainable Architecture Team and is also a Certified Passive House Consultant with the Passivhaus Institut, AECB Approved Certifier and On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor.
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