Ruskin Lane Consulting Autumn 2013 | Page 12

EVENTS FORTHCOMING EVENTS Festival of Architecture 2016 sing its centenary as a launch-pad, The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, along with numerous partner organisations and with the active support of the Scottish Government, has been shaping a year-long, nation-wide celebration for 2016. The aspiration for the Festival is high, to transform the Scottish public’s relationship with architecture. The last major celebrations of architecture on a national scale were Glasgow’s City of Architecture and Design in 1999 and the Six Cities Design Festival in 2007. 2016 will be nearly a decade on from the latter. The context is still ever challenging, and the need to improve appreciation and understanding of the benefits of a well-built future for Scotland, ever more pressing. The 2016 events will focus on the built environment’s effects on our economy and our wellbeing and will promote awareness of architecture’s critical role in Scotland’s identity. An ever-growing forum of enthusiastic sector representatives is already engaged in designing the Festival and planning its content. With financial support from government, a round of consultative workshops was organised to give views from across Scotland. The consultation set out to measure the appetite for such an event, to agree what its priorities might be locally and nationally, and gather ideas. The seven sessions, facilitated by Dr Deborah Mays (RIAS) and Nick Wright (Nick Wright Planning) gave voice to communities from throughout Scotland, from Dumfries to Inverness. Each two-hour workshop considered the architecture of the particular region, past, present and future. In Inverness, for example, the session mused on the impact of the Housing Expo in the area and the challenges of flood prevention along the Ness. In Aberdeen, the group deliberated historic links to Scandinavia. The make-up of each group and the local concerns raised were enjoyably diverse. However, reassuringly, the collated results demonstrate shared goals. The findings have revealed resounding support for the outline strategy and goals drafted by the Forum. Throughout Scotland, workshop participants wanted to see an improvement in public awareness of the benefits of good architecture and better understanding of its impact. They agreed on the need to demystify architecture and to develop public confidence in engagement with architecture, design and the planning system. The delegates found a great deal to celebrate in the quality of our architecture and lessons to be learnt from its success. Architects and their work are arguably one of Scotland’s strongest cultural exports U Mareel, Gareth Hoskins Architects. Image © Phatsheep Photography and continue to make a valuable contribution to the quality of Scotland itself as a place to live and to visit. We should shout this from the rooftops, at home and abroad. Harnessing the energy of the young, hearing their priorities and empowering the next generation was a common focus across the workshops. All ages matter and should be encouraged to participate. This was clear. However, \