Building Briefs – April 30th

• Banff Vinery project a growing success

This was a highly competitive process and is real recognition of the work which has been undertaken to progress the project to-date and the positive impact it will have on the local community.

The project was the result of a community consultation to identify the preferred usage of the Grade B listed Glass House in Airlie Gardens.

Originally constructed in the Duff House estate to grow grapes, the building was a gift to the town along with the gardens it sits in by the Duff family.

Following the receipt of funding through the Aberdeenshire Town Centre Fund, work was able to commence in December on an initial phase of emergency works to stabilise the walls and roof.

Scotland’s Association for Mental Health (SAMH) have been confirmed as the appointed operator.

The next step will see the work to complete this exciting heritage restoration get underway as soon as possible and in line with guidance around COVID-19. It is hoped the renovations will be completed by summer 2021, which will be a time to celebrate the impact a facility such as this will have on all our health and wellbeing.

As the property is a Common Good asset, it will also be necessary to seek approval for the building to be leased to an operator. SAMH will use this and the renovation time to develop a business plan for their activities as well as talking to local residents about their ideas and aspirations.

• Edinburgh to introduce emergency measures for pedestrians and cyclists

The City of Edinburgh Council is set to become one of the first local authorities in the UK to introduce emergency measures to help pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely while observing physical distancing guidance.

The council has been working closely with Transport Scotland and Sustrans to develop an approach to re-designating road space. This will benefit from support from a £10m fund to help local authorities introduce temporary active travel solutions, announced by cabinet secretary Michael Matheson on Tuesday (28 April).

Over the coming weeks the council will be implementing several changes to help prioritise walking and cycling. Immediate actions will tackle areas highlighted as pinch points for pedestrians and cyclists and will include some road lane closures and the implementation of temporary cycle lanes.

In the medium term, as lockdown measures continue and are eventually eased, it will develop a citywide approach to more significant changes, such as expanded cycle lanes and the creation of bus gates. Longer term, it is proposed that progress on more permanent schemes under the Active Travel Programme is brought forward.

Immediate measures will include the closure of Silverknowes Road (implemented by Thursday, 30 April), Braid Road (implemented by Sunday, 3 May) and Links Gardens (implemented by Sunday, 3 May).

• New timescale for completion of purchase of South Tower of Inverness Castle

Due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the planned date of the purchase of the South Tower by the Highland Council has changed.

The council was due to complete its purchase of the building on 1 May 2020 and this is now likely to happen once the current period of lockdown is lifted.  The date to complete the purchase has not been set but will become clearer when arrangements for the easing of social distancing are known.

The associated work to erect hoardings around the castle buildings for the construction period, which were due to be put in place following the purchase, will also be programmed after the period of lockdown begins to ease.

The Castle project will support economic growth in the city and throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and must-see attraction that will celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.

• Online showcase for graduating Art, Design and Architecture students

Hundreds of final-year students will be exhibiting the fruits of their creative labours online when one of the University of Dundee’s flagship events goes fully digital for the first time.

The Art, Design and Architecture Graduate Showcase 2020 is an online display taking place in the absence of the annual Degree Show, which has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Graduate Showcase celebrates achievements of graduating students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the department of Architecture within the School of Social Sciences. The launch of this event will be broadcast live online on Friday 12 June to students, staff, families, friends and other visitors. The Showcase will be accompanied by a social media campaign that will run until 21 June.

The Degree Show is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar and attracts in excess of 10,000 visitors each year, including employers, gallery owners and other leading industry figures. It is hoped that a physical exhibition of work from this year’s graduating students can be arranged in the future and the Showcase aims to provide them with the best possible platform for their talents in the meantime.

The work on display will represent the culmination of years of creative development and hard work, with the website featuring expanded information on all students, including extra images and video content.

The Art, Design and Architecture Graduate Showcase 2020 will be available to view online from 12 June at www.dundee.ac.uk/graduateshowcase.