The Gannochy Trust’s Lifetime Neighbourhood in Perth, designed by Glasgow architecture firm Anderson Bell + Christie, has won the Most Innovative Affordable Housing Scheme category at the prestigious Housing Digital Innovation Awards, which took place in Birmingham on February 10th.
The awards celebrate the most innovative products, services and technology which are shaping the UK housing industry. In the words of the organisers: “The Housing Digital Innovation Awards provide a moment of reflection, carving out a space to champion the dedication, talent and unrelenting drive of those striving to make UK housing a place of continued innovation and excellence.”
The judges were impressed by the development’s combination of exemplary indoor living spaces with outdoor elements that bring health benefits to residents. They said: “It is amazing to see a housing provider look to incorporate the best possible living space for residents by innovating not only on build and process, but the health benefits of outdoor living.”
The 48-house Lifetime Neighbourhood integrates seamlessly with the original housing estate built by Gannochy Trust founder and former Scotch whisky entrepreneur and philanthropist, Arthur Kinmond (A.K.) Bell in the 1920’s. The new development is underpinned by three core design principles; ‘Healthy Homes for Life,’ ‘Lifetime Neighbourhoods’ and ‘High Quality Design’ which aim to improve health, accessibility and connectedness for tenants, with the flexibility to adapt to their needs as circumstances change.
The development has the intention to nurture secure communities, whose buildings will support their residents for the longer term. It combines this with an exemplary approach to sustainable design, to provide robust and reliable internal conditions. The Gannochy Lifetime Neighbourhood will do as its name suggests and is a model for our times.
Stephen Lamb, Director of Anderson Bell + Christie said on the night: “It feels great to win this award. We came all the way down from Glasgow and it’s a real privilege to pick up this accolade for the work we’re doing up in Scotland. If we can share what we’ve learnt, celebrate our successes as an industry, and build on each other’s good work, it will put us in a strong position for the future.”
David Gray Chairman of the Gannochy Trust said: “To pick up a second national award is an incredible achievement for this small but highly innovative housing development in Perth. It is a credit to Anderson Bell + Christie and all our partners that this development is being recognised across the UK for providing an exemplary living space for our tenants.”