20 Dec JGA 2022 Highlights
As we approach the end of 2022, we look back on the successes of John Gilbert Architects’ 30th year in business.
We have increased our strength with Rupert joining as associate director and Chris returned as senior architect to work with Sussed. Associate Director Barbara was crowned “Retrofit Rising Star” of the year by The Retrofit Academy and Associate Director Scott was bestowed “Rising Star” from the RIBA. Rachel passed her professional exam and became an Architect.
In November, we were awarded GIA’s Sustainability Award for our work on Niddrie Road, Glasgow which was a boost for the whole team.
In October, we took a weekend away to the Cairngorms to regroup as a team after the pandemic. We visited Doolan Award-winning Moxon Architects’ studio, chatted under clear starlit skies and got out walking in the hills together.
In terms of projects, we have had a very busy year working on retrofit, new build and building performance consultancy.
We were delighted when Above Adventure in Kilmarnock opened its doors for the first time. This social enterprise brings social inclusion to sport climbing and has helped to regenerate Kilmarnock town centre. We look forward to seeing the whole of the building completed and open in 2023.
Niddrie Road retrofit project was completed and handed over to Southside Housing Association. An ambitious retrofit, Niddrie Road is setting a new standard for tenements and will provide learning for hundreds of other projects across central Scotland.
Our work on two projects with the Glentrool community has also completed this year, the conversion of a former primary school into a community hub and work retrofitting affordable housing in the village. The 1954 primary school is now a community centre with a multifunctional hall, gallery, meeting spaces and a self-catering accommodation wing, giving a home for new social enterprise whilst also upgrading its energy efficiency and performance.
Our Dovehill housing project with Wheatley Group was completed in February this year, a project which was due to start in April 2020 it has been delivered to a high standard despite the pandemic difficulties, it forms a new end to Bell Street and is a key part of the continued regeneration of Glasgows East End Our Dovehill, Glasgow housing project with Wheatley Group was completed in February this year. Due to start in April 2020, this project has been delivered to a high standard despite the difficulties of the pandemic. It forms a new end to Bell Street and is a key part of the continued regeneration of Glasgow’s east end and The Barras.
In Lancaster, we are in the final phases of developing 20 new affordable homes to Passivhaus standard in association with the local community land trust and South Lakes Housing. We look forward to this being completed in early 2023.
A significant, but largely unseen externally, part of the office has been concerned with working jointly with Holmes Miller Architects to develop large scale non-domestic Passivhaus projects. Our work on a Net Zero primary School in Buntingford has started on site as has work on a Passivhaus primary school extension at Sciennes in Edinburgh. We also have had key planning approvals for a Passivhaus Leisure Centre in Blairgowrie and a large secondary school campus in Dundee. 2023 is looking like it will be a really important year for Sussed as these larger projects really get into gear.
So 2022 has been good to us and we leave it with exciting plans for 2023!