WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE
2021 SALTIRE SOCIETY’S HOUSING DESIGN AWARDS

The Saltire Society today announced the winners of the 2021 Saltire Society Housing Design Awards. The Awards, which celebrate the diversity of the best in new housing in Scotland, are supported by the Scottish Government and recognise the contribution housing makes to social and cultural conversations. Shortlisted properties were found across the length and breadth of Scotland from the Isle of Uist to Inverness, Perth to Kelso.

The Saltire Medal for Housing Design, nominated by Ginnie Atkinson, Guest Chair for 2021, was awarded to Bell Street Stables, an affordable housing project in Glasgow which was designed by Collective Architecture for the Wheatley Group and built by Wheatley Group and CCG Scotland. The recipient receives a cast commemorative medal and a cash prize of £1,500. Commendations in this category included Ostro Passivhaus in Kippen designed by Paper Igloo Ltd and The Beekeepers House in Kelso designed by Zone Architects.

Single Dwelling Awards were presented to Lower Tullochgrue in Aviemore, House in Arisaig and Hebridean House on South Uist. Designed by Brown & Brown Architects and built by Spey Building and Joinery,

the judges called Lower Tullochgrue a distinctive home that comes from a distinctive brief to accommodate both its immediate household and a large extended family in a congenial and comfortable environment.

House in Arisaig, designed by Rural Design Architects Ltd and built by Knoydart Construction Company Ltd, was described as a project about big ideas in a modest footprint and built to a modest price. The Judges said “What we learn from this exemplary project is that creative design flowers when faced with constraint and we should thus be always ambitious for our rural homes.”.

Hebridean House, designed by Greig Penny Architecture Ltd and built by Paul MacInnes/Coastal Homes, “is a story of return and the regeneration of a South Uist croft. A new home weaves together, in a creative and wholly convincing way, contemporary design with traditional building cultures. This is a robust building, community built and completely of its place. It is an example of a fine vernacular in its truest sense”.

Multiple Dwelling Awards were presented to Bell Street Stables in Glasgow, Havenfield Mews in Edinburgh and Gannochy Lifetime Neighbourhood in Perth.

Bell Street Stables, designed by Collective Architecture and built by Wheatley Group and CCG Scotland, was commended for its innate confidence to make its residents a real engine in its continuing transformation

while Havenfield Mews, designed by Sonia Browse Architects and built by David Sparham Ltd was cited as an outstanding example of what a small developer can contribute to our urban realm.

Finally, the judges decided that the Gannochy Lifetime Neighbourhood, designed by Anderson Bell Christie for the Gannochy Trust and built by Campion Homes, will do as its name suggests and is a model for our times.

Sarah Mason, Director of the Saltire Society, said
“Congratulations to all our 2021 recipients. To the architects, planners, contractors, clients and teams that continue show innovation, quality and attention to detail are present in the creation of Scotland’s architectural landscape.

“Established by the Society in 1937, the awards advocate the importance of good housing for all and continue to this day to promote good design and quality housing as well as honour and encourage creativity, excellence and innovation in modern Scottish place making. This year may not have been the year we had been planning for, but we are encouraged to see the amazing work that is taking place in difficult circumstances and are very grateful for the time and effort put in by all who take part in not only these Awards but in creating a better Scotland.”

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, said
“I’m delighted to see the diversity and quality of projects from across Scotland recognised in this year’s Saltire Housing Design Awards. I offer my congratulations to all those who receive an award or commendation today. My thanks go to the Saltire Society, the Awards Panel and all involved for the contribution that the awards make towards Scotland’s cultural appreciation of well-designed housing.”

The CIOB Good Building Award was presented to Beekeepers House, built by Gibson & Hall.

Gareth Williams MCIB, Projects Director at CIOB said “It really has been an exceptional year for entries, each one displaying various qualities required to achieve the CIOB Good Building Award, however there is one entry in particular that really stands out. The care, attention to detail and collaboration with local contractors shine through in the quality, not only of the spaces created, but most noticeable in the craftsmanship displayed throughout. The intergenerational partnership and teamwork demonstrated during the project has resulted in a sustainable, efficient, exceptionally crafted building.”

The Saltire Society Housing Design Awards are open to entries from Owners, Clients, Architects, Housebuilders and Housing Developers from across Scotland, and the judging panel seeks projects that add positively to Scotland’s architectural and social landscape. The 2021 Awards have expanded the project eligibility timeframe to include all projects completed since the previous Awards in 2019.

You can re watch the official announcement at:

https://youtu.be/hP-1-1lx9KI