ARTISAN Real Estate has announced the launch of a new development blueprint in response to the changing requirements of local people and communities in a post-Covid world.
The niche housebuilder said smart, energy-efficient building design has been matched with an ‘innovative approach’ to placemaking and community, introducing concepts such as green roofs, ‘edible’ gardens and green transport plans to city centre environments.
Initially focusing on new home projects in Edinburgh, the plan aims to achieve low to zero carbon development as well as creating a more open and landscaped environment.
Linking closely with the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy, which aims to make the city carbon neutral within the next ten years, Artisan revealed it is now applying its design philosophy to two major developments in the city – Canonmills Garden to the north of the city centre and the recently acquired Rowanbank Gardens in the Corstorphine area and currently subject to a planning application.
Clive Wilding, Artisan’s group development director said, “The challenges highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the importance of changing the way we deliver new home development. We are now very much going above and beyond the existing council guidelines as outlined in its ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy. As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, sustainable homes in low car-use locations well-served by public and ‘self-propelled’ transport, we are also envisaging what people want from their living environment, post-Covid-19.
“Significant emphasis is placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.”
Artisan’s Canonmills Garden development includes a combined heat and power system helping to support building energy loads whilst charging electric vehicles. This strategy, combined with green roof spaces and climate responsive building facades, helps improve environmental integration, natural light provision and air quality.
Similar principles have been applied to the planning application for 126 new homes at Rowanbank Gardens. The development is designed around a central courtyard garden filled with fruit trees and communal planting and growing beds. Apartments are designed for open plan living with large windows, while green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, insulation and ecology.
“Remaining true to our urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is building a strong sense of place,” Clive Wilding added. “We are specialising in niche urban developments in the most exciting parts of the city centre, creating a high-value premium product for a wide range of homebuyers, including young professionals, families and downsizers. Artisan now has an opportunity in Scotland to set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use. Our track record in Edinburgh and in Scotland has given us a strong understanding of the importance of high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”
