Date: 09 May 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Main Street, Mossend is a regeneration project, for twenty nine new build flats, four houses and seven retail units, that incorporates mixed use functions in an environmentally and socially responsive manner.
The primary objective was to provide affordable housing and to assist in the regeneration of local businesses by providing new retail units, replacing the existing shopping centre. The client, Lanarkshire Housing Association, identified a site on the busy Main Street thoroughfare, formerly a thriving shopping street in Mossend. By returning the shops to this area, the intention was to re-strengthen the streetscape and create a new gateway to the Mossend community.
The building form itself is arranged over three storeys with the public façade orientated to the North. The rear southern façade provides the main edge to a new private courtyard area with large fenestrations to maximise solar gain. A new public square is formed to the West, providing a good frontage for the retail units at Hope Street.
An important aspect of the brief was the use of sustainable energy systems to provide both ecological benefits and a means to alleviate fuel poverty. A CHP engine has been installed as a centralised heat source, supplying each property. Electricity is generated as a by-product of the heat production and powers the communal lighting systems. Photovoltaic arrays have also been installed on top of the closes, and these convert solar energy into electricity for use in the communal systems.
The Artist, Steve Hollingsworth has developed a public realm installation for the new public square at Hope St. This combines abstract LED lighting with microphones and sensors that respond to changes in the environment.
Project: Main Street, Mossend
Architect: Collective Architecture
Client: Lanarkshire Housing Association
Location: Lanarkshire
Cost: £3,200,000
Link: http://www.collectivearchitecture.com
