2016 Series

30th September 2016 . Edinburgh

Architects Margaret Richards and Nicola McLachlan in conversation. 

Architects Margaret and Nicola have 60 years between them but you would never know. They spent the day visiting projects that inspire them and that they were/are workings on. They share a passion for social housing, modernism and architectural simplicaity. 

More information to follow soon - keep a look on our audio clips section for snip-its from their conversations. 

2016 Series

1st October 2016. Necropolis, Glasgow

Architects Fiona Sinclair and Mairi Laverty in conversation. 

Fiona, Mairi and I arranged to meet on the Bridge of Sighs at the foot of the Necropolis. It was a lovely clear day with a sharp, frosty wind. As I approached the bridge I was immediately struck by Fiona’s youth-like energy, colourful jacket and matching beret. Mairi’s warm demeanour and big smile added to the positivity of our initial exchange.

We agreed to begin our conversation on the bridge then take a walk up and around the Necropolis to take advantage of the views. The site was a fitting location as both architects had worked in Glasgow with had a specific interest in historic buildings and their character. From the bridge we had an excellent view of Glasgow Cathedral. We remarked how sad it was that the Molindinar Burn had been culverted and replaced with a broad, tarmacadum road.

We traversed the network of paths and structures in and around the Necropolis. The tombs and monuments were impressive in their scale and complexity. The bright sunlight cast deep shadows that accentuated detail in the stonework and aided our reading of text and detail. There was much laughter and joyous wonder on our walk. Fiona’s abundant knowledge and expertise in the field of conservation was evidently clear from the outset. Mairi’s keen eye and perception also stood out as they shared their thoughts on local identity and craft.

As we reached the top of the hill, the clear air and blue skies allowed us to see far into the distance. The skyline was dramatic and varied. The Tennant’s Brewery, Cathedral and Queen Elizabeth Hospital formed our immediate view. (the link between alcohol and health wasn’t lost on us either). Church spires rose from the City Centre framed by housing towers in all directions.

We began our descent and ended our fruitful conversation by the Burns Monument at the foot of the hill. I remember leaving the Necropolis with a warm glow and a hint of melancholy. It had been such a pleasant walk, glorious day and enlightening conversation that it seemed a pity it should end.

2016 Series

Anne, Cathy and I arranged to meet at Collective Architecture’s studio on the top floor of the Mercat Building on Glasgow’s Gallowgate. This meant we could then readily travel together by car to Cumbernauld. We had a quick cup of tea whilst I gathered equipment and we planned our route together. Anne was really interested in the Collective studio and the work of the practice. Cathy and Anne immediately ‘hit it off’ and began to share stories and anecdotes. I knew both participants well – Cathy is my colleague and Anne had been a tutor in Aberdeen when I had studied there. Anne described her involvement in the early planning of housing within the New Town. Cathy noted that she had recently completed a green infrastructure strategy for Cumbernauld to improve connections, ecology and walking routes. Neither seemed hesitant about the day and both architects seemed very happy to be returning to Cumbernauld.

We agreed that it would be good if the conversations involved walks around three key areas within Cumbernauld where the architects had worked. These included Seafar, Carbrain and Kildrum. It was a bright sunny day and we were all glad that that this would aid our walk and conversation.

We packed up our things and headed down to the car. Cathy drove whilst I recorded snippets of their conversation en-route. Anne was animated with a distinctive, infectious laugh. As we travelled, she entertained Cathy and I with stories of her work abroad and nuggets of architectural wisdom. Cathy also talked passionately about her ambition for quality housing and her journey into architecture.

Our first stop in Seafar was short but packed with conversation. We studied the render and timber-clad houses that cascaded down the hillside. Anne described their unusual layouts that placed living areas on the first floor to capture southerly views to the landscape beyond. A steady flow of residents joined us in our walk through the leafy network of cobbled paths and courtyards. Anne animatedly described her working life whilst birds chirped in the background. She had lived with her sister and daughter in Seafar for several years whilst she worked at the Corporation.

As we moved on to Carbrain and Kildrum, Anne and Cathy talked passionately about their shared desire to keep cars away from people and their homes. Whilst well-populated, these areas felt less comfortable to walk around due to a convoluted network of narrow lanes, low pends and poorly overlooked courtyards. At times it felt as though we were walking along endless routes lined with of high timber fences and walls.

We ended our journey at Kildrum and made our way back to the car. As we walked towards the outlying car park it struck me that both architects seemed to care deeply about the architecture of the everyday, quality housing and improving the lives of ordinary people. It therefore seemed entirely fitting that they had walked and talked together in such a quotidian landscape. I left feeling heartened and delighted to have spent time with such impassioned architects.

2016 Series

1st October 2016. Linlithgow + Leith

Conservation Accredited Architect Dorothy Bell and Architect Emma Fairhurst met at Linlithgow Burgh Halls to discuss their involvement in the buildings restoration and extension and the important role conservation has in our built environment. 

"There are too many front doors shut in cities." Dorothy Bell, 1st October 2016

More information to follow soon - keep a look on our audio clips section for snip-its from their conversations. 

2017 Series

2017 Series

In emails we had set out the idea of a walk through Edinburgh, starting at the Glasite Meeting House, the base for the Scottish Historic Building Preservation Trust (now converted and occupied by the Ingleby Gallery). When I arrived at the discretely institutional door off Barony Street, I chatted to the staff, checking about the possibility of spending time in the building, and noticing the opportunity to visit and hire out Custom House, Leith (note to self: might be a quirky, appropriate setting for the next ESALA AwayDay).

The dimly lit stone hallway was the setting for the first encounter with Jocelyn and Mel, wearing a striking red coat. As we started to talk, we moved into the main meeting room – a toplit, distinctive interior. While picking our way through the wooden pews, we hesitantly started to speak and to test the recording, focused on looking and learning about the history of this room, a setting for AHSS talks and meetings, and imagining early Glasite meetings.

Walking from this edge of Edinburgh’s new Town, we adjusted and altered our route up to the Old Town as we spoke. We agreed to go next to St Andrew’s and St George’s church on George Street, which Jocelyn had been involved in restoring and adapting over a number of years. Like the best city walks, opportunities and new connections cropped up on the way. We clambered up into a Georgian church bell tower loft, pondered the limewash of the nearly re-opened Riddle’s Court, and discussed the precise handrail height of the upper Victoria Street walkway, before looking at the Lister Street housing on Lauriston Place. The conversation ranged across heritage groups, what to do with Cardross, Mel’s painstaking work on a Georgian townhouse in London, and approaches to the wear and tear of a place. Understanding a city through the long term, patient and rigorous care of architectural conservation may not be glamorous but there is so much to learn from those who work closely with the city fabric.

2017 Series

We agreed to all meet at Kirsteen Borland’s flat in Glasgow’s West End. Kirsteen had several documents, drawings and photos we thought we might look at and discuss together. It therefore made good sense to gather at her flat, which is situated on an impressive terrace between Argyle Street and Kelvingrove Park. I had cycled there as it was a relatively bright day and was reminded of how intact and coherent Glasgow’s West End was compared to some other parts of the city. I chained my bike to the railings hoping that this would be ok with the residents. Whilst doing so I bumped into Heather looking for the address. We rang the bell marked ‘Holmes’, were buzzed in and mounted the communal stone stairs to the second floor. Whilst doing so, we remarked that Kirsteen (93 years old) would make this journey every day.

When we got to the flat Kirsteen greeted us with a kindly smile. We were led into the brightly lit living room framed by two, large vertical windows overlooking mature trees to the street below. To the rear of the room there was a table with a plethora of reports and drawings meticulously arranged for us to view, with an accompanying notepad and pen. Kirsteen was a modest and gentle host. She had prepared a tray of tea and biscuits on delicate china. Whilst she arranged hot drinks in the kitchen, I unpacked our rudimentary technical equipment and notebooks. Heather any I chatted away quietly, capturing short glimpses of the neatly bound reports with their duotone covers.

Both Heather and Kirsteen seemed a little apprehensive at first, so we didn’t launch into our conversation too quickly. I was also aware that my headphones were overly large and were dominating my face (I made a mental note not to use them in future). Kirsteen showed us around the orderly flat. We enjoyed looking at architectural drawings and artworks on the wall. She told us that the flat had initially been the practice studio she had shared with her husband/partner (Jack Holmes) and colleagues.

We started our conversation back at the table, poring over the planning reports and photos Kirsteen had sourced. Heather clearly marvelled at Kirsteen’s body of work and the opportunity to view her original planning reports. It was incredible to hear about it first-hand and to look through such historic documents such as the Clyde Valley Regional Plan. Kirsteen was incredibly modest and self-effacing – at times appearing puzzled by our interest in her. She showed a keen interest in Heather’s on-going work, character and energy. As their conversation evolved, the parallels between their individual practice struck me. For example, they had both led key energy projects - Kirsteen in Moray (Planning for Oil) and Heather in Glasgow (Green Energy Initiatives). They also both enjoyed working in teams and talked positively about the benefits of collaboration.

We ended our fruitful conversation by looking at some large maps of Glasgow. I took some pictures of Kirsteen and Heather talking together. They both seemed genuinely enthused and happy to have met one another. I felt privileged to have witnessed it. In fact, as we left they agreed to meet again.

4th November 2017. London

Architects Elaine Keenan and Kate MacIntosh in conversation accompanied by Jude.  

Elaine and Kate share a passion for public sector architecture and how this can positively influence our society and our built environment. 

More information to follow soon - keep a look on our audio clips section for snip-its from their conversations. 

2019 Series

Joyce and Ruta in conversation accompanied by Nicola and Fiona.

2019 Series

Adele and Akiko in conversation accompanied by Suzanne.

We planned to meet at The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, where many conversations and events took place a few months before as part of ArchiFringe 2019. Adele, Sue and Janice’s Raising the Roof residency was a warm and lively presence amongst the impressive array of exhibitions, provocations and people involved in this fourth annual iteration. Akiko has been involved in the AF since its inception, and this seemed a great venue to meet for a Voices conversation, where we could recall and respond to overlaps, interests, inward looking project spaces and orienting views over the city where the Women’s Library has solidified an innovative culture and community around women’s stories, collections, spaces. However, the day before, in our last minute email exchanges to make sure none of us had forgotten the date and meeting times, we realised that there had been some confusions. This was going to be the ‘real thing’ conversation, not a plan for one. Akiko seemed disappointed about the venue: “I think we can do MUCH better than the Lighthouse for meeting up…. A place that would spark conversation as well as being a symbolic backdrop would be really good….somewhere a bit more exciting… Maybe a ‘meanwhile’ community garden even, with a nice shed to sit in and chat.” Some quickfire hopeful emails led to a wonderful offer from Veronica Low, member of Greyfriars Community Garden, who negotiated eleventh hour key access for a much more appropriate place for this Voices conversation.

I approach up the hill from glitzy Ingram Street, surrounded by recently built looming University buildings, towards a modest wooden fence. I recall a wasteland and aspirational plans to recuperate urban qualities of ‘College Cross’ 25 years ago. As I bring my bike up, I notice Akiko, already at the gate. This must be the garden. We wheel the bikes in once she has eased the wooden door, wedged against the weathered fence. The drizzle is light but looks as if it may last. I find a place for my bike to rest at the side of a wooden shed, glimpsing collections of chairs, pots, artefacts, notices in the open sided shed-rooms either side. It’s like an allotment, but much more organised and surprisingly spacious. Raised beds march on towards the curving horizon of the High Street. One side of tended square beds turn an angular corner, with glimpses of people walking past the striated metal fencing. Grass underfoot seems a surprise. To the other side , black planted islands demarcate a loose grid and suggest many routes through the space to areas beyond. I imagine the individuals who have made and tended their plot over many seasons. It’s not a warm day, and as the drizzle continues I lose sight of the plants and my pull to explore the garden beyond and start to worry about how the new recording device will work. I talk about this with Akiko as we move back to the entrance sheds, drawn to a welcome plywood table. We hear the gate open and Adele brings in energy and focus. As we introduce ourselves, there is a relishing of this moment. It is ‘the real thing’, and even with a backdrop of recurrent city sirens and traffic noise over the next hour, being in Greyfriars garden feels so much more than an ordinary place.