Glasgow based Holmes Partnership have won a national competition to design a landmark housing development for a prime site in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire ─ the first project of its kind in Scotland.
The competition organised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects (RIAS) in Scotland, was sponsored by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and local building company McLaughlin Construction.
The competition attracted 48 submissions from as far afield as Jersey, London and Paris.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay said “It’s been a very exciting process to find a design for this prime site in Saltcoats. We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of interest in this competition and impressed with the high standard of the designs.”
The judging panel was headed up by Dick Cannon, a well respected and award-winning Glasgow architect. The other jurors included developer Paul McLaughlin, sustainability expert Lori McElroy and Arthur Watson, Development Manager with Irvine Bay URC.
Dick Cannon said "The winning design by the Holmes Partnership is very striking with strong architectural flair and identity. This exciting design exploits the stunning sea-front location and is sure to be a landmark for this prominent location, as well as meeting the need for two and three bedroom flats in the area.”
The successful design team from Holmes ─ Craig Heap, Ryan Holmes and Gavin Salt ─ expressed their delight at winning the competition.
Craig Heap said "The whole practice is buzzing with excitement since hearing we won the Saltcoats competition. This is a fantastic opportunity to build something really special in this unique location.
Our concept was influenced by the swelling waves of the sea and the vibrant colours and shapes of beach huts and boats. We are looking forward to working with McLaughlin Construction and the Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company to create a meaningful new landmark building for Saltcoats."
Paul McLaughlin, Director of McLaughlin Construction, the site owner said: “This prime site has some of the best views over the Firth of Clyde and to the Isle of Arran and deserves nothing less than a high quality building. We look forward to working with the Holmes Partnership in developing the final design.”
The development meets the BREEAM Ecohomes Very Good standard. This standard seeks to minimise energy consumption and reduce waste in construction including using materials supplied from renewable sources, using pre-fabrication to reduce on-site waste, specifying materials with a high recycled or re-used content, sourcing materials that are accredited from sustainable sources and which minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing and sourcing materials locally to reduce transport emissions.
In addition, the design seeks to influence the way in which the occupiers of the houses conserve energy and minimise waste.
The remaining three shortlisted entries were Elizabeth Roxburgh, Cr8architecture and Joseph Thurrott, all from Edinburgh.
Winning Design
Elizabeth Roxburgh Competition Entry
Cre8architecture Competition Entry
Joseph Thurott Architects Competition Entry
