ANDERSON Bell + Christie is set to host a free workshop designed to help housing associations and registered social landlords (RSLs) develop their consultation response to the Scottish Government’s proposals to make all new homes more accessible and adaptable ahead of the 21 December deadline.
The Glasgow-based architects, in partnership with Wheatley Group and coordinated by Scottish Housing Network, has orchestrated the event to share expertise and distill the consultation documents put forward by the Scottish Government and help form ‘collaborative and well-informed’ responses.
The consultation is the first review of the Housing for Varying Needs guidelines in 25 years and Anderson Bell + Christie, whose team has been heavily involved – both in the creation in 1998 and as an advisor for the Scottish Government this time around, is urging housing associations and RSLs to be part of this ‘transformative journey’ to help shape a future where all homes are accessible.
With the government’s proposals, this involves updating the design criteria from ‘Housing for Varying Needs’ and incorporating them into building regulations to develop the ‘Scottish Accessible Homes Standard.’
Rekha Barry-Houston, a senior architect, and Rowena Statt, research and development director, both of Anderson Bell + Christie Architects, alongside Scotland’s Housing Network, are hosting this online and in person workshop on December 11.
Rekha and Rowena provided technical advice to the Scottish Government for the current Housing for Varying Needs review. Rowena was also responsible for reviewing the impact of the guidance on housing space standards when it was first introduced in 1998.
“The ‘Housing for Varying Needs’ guide has been instrumental in the design of affordable homes for people with different abilities for more than 25 years,” said Rowena Statt. “However, it has come to a time where an update is now well overdue so we are facilitating this workshop to help people understand what has been proposed to allow as many people as possible to voice their opinions on how they believe this should evolve.
“My expertise in this area goes back more than 25 years and it was a huge privilege to be involved in the initial guide and help lead on the approach from a designer’s perspective, therefore I have a particular interest and knowledge in its origins and now its evolution.”
The consultation workshop will take place on December 11 from 2pm-4pm. To sign up, visit: https://scotlandshousingnetwork.org/events/housing-for-varying-needs-consultation-workshop/.
