OVER the years, the Scottish Design Awards have showcased architecture projects, including the categories, ‘single home’, ‘multi-unit’, the more catch-all ‘residential’ and ‘affordable housing’.
In other words, for an inspiring collection of ‘affordable’ housing design ideas, there can be few places better places than the awards winners and nominations, from over the years:
2026 - Here - Says the awards blurb: “The first phase of the Victoria Infirmary redevelopment, in Glasgow, comprises 136 new-build flats and 11 retail/commercial units set within a new landscaped public realm.” Architects: Collective Architecture.
2025 - Here - Says the awards blurb: “The Standard building is the first phase of the Midsteeple masterplan, a community-led and owned regeneration project which aims to revive Dumfries town centre.” Architects: ARPL Architects.
2024 - Here - Bedford Street, Laurieston, Glasgow. Says the awards blurb: This development of 24 flats for social rent occupies a prominent and important position within the Laurieston regeneration area in Glasgow, sitting between a first phase of the masterplan and the A-listed Old British Linen Bank, the last remaining structure from the original old Gorbals and a distinctive tenement designed in 1897. Architects: Anderson Bell Christie.
2023 - Here - North Gate, Gorbals, Glasgow. Says the awards blurb: “North Gate develops a longstanding vacant brownfield site, providing a new residential city landmark that completes the Gorbals masterplan [in Glasgow]. It contains 31 homes, comprising of one and two-bedroom flats for 100 per cent social rent and is designed to suit the needs of primarily older residents.” Architects: Page/Park.
2022 - Here - Fielden Street, Camlachie, Glasgow. Says the awards blurb: “A landmark development which signals a gateway into the Camlachie neighbourhood [in Glasgow]; knitting together a historic industrial area and newer housing stock. This is the final phase of a 20-year programme of regeneration in the Camlachie area.” Architects: Anderson Bell Christie.
2021 - Here - There were two winners: Gannochy Lifetime Neighbourhood (by Anderson Bell Christie) and Fraser Avenue, Inverkeithing, Fife (by 7N Architects).
2020 - Here - The winner was a refurbishment of an 1890s, now ‘B-listed’ former industrial building in Glasgow. The work on Bell Street Stables was carried out by Collective Architecture.
Image details: Primrose Street, Alloa - a silver award winner in the 2023 Scottish Design Awards; copyright Mike Wilson