The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is pleased
to respond to the Scottish Executive’s consultation on the development
of a policy on architecture for Scotland. The RSE is Scotland’s
premier Learned Society, comprising Fellows elected on the basis of
their distinction, from the full range of academic disciplines, and
from industry, commerce and the professions. This response has been
compiled with the assistance of a number of Fellows from a variety of
disciplines with an interest and expertise in this area.
The RSE welcomes the production of this report which seeks to improve
the quality of architecture in Scotland. Key to the implementation of
this policy, however, will be the provision of funding in support of
its aims. This has proved crucial in the implementation of similar policies
in Europe (e.g. in Holland). In addition, the policy’s success
will depend on a strong intellectual base, clear definitions, and definable
objectives. The RSE is also happy to note that a false antithesis of
good architecture versus commercial interests has not been brought into
question: the best architecture need not be the most expensive.
Comments on the specific areas of the consultation document are addressed
below:
The Value and Benefits of Good Architecture
The intellectual base, definitions, and structure for making judgements
should be strengthened within the document. The Roman author of the
treatise on architecture (Vitruvius Pollio) still provides the simplest
way of assessing the quality of a building through utility, appropriate
technology and cultural style. In general, where one function overwhelms
the others, the building is unlikely to be a fine work of architecture.
However, throughout history, societies have accepted slight flaws in
utility and in appropriate technology provided that cultural style was
that much greater in compensation. The definition of function can include
symbolism, civic or national purpose or representation. It is very rare
that a building is deemed adequate where the cultural style is submerged
in favour of one of the other two factors.
Furthermore, cultural style can be considered at many levels. A building
that appeals in the broad can be fatally wounded by a poor, ill thought
out, misplaced or jarring detail, and a dull building surprisingly enlivened
by a good one. Clarity and simplicity of details and appropriate use
of materials are essential to achieve such style: indeed, probably much
more important than originality. Equally, appropriate response to setting
and location is central. Quality should be the issue, rather than an
arbitrary rule. It is a matter of appropriateness, confidence and a
willingness to have a framework within which risks may be taken.
The Role of Government
The consultation document notes the role of the planning system and
its interactions with the promotion of good architecture. While endorsing
the conclusion that planners should have a sound understanding of the
principles of architecture and good design, the Society believes much
more should be made of this point. There has been too wide a separation
between town planning and urban architecture, and planners (however
well informed) are often constrained by the limitations on their remit,
to the extent that they have little scope to influence design. Action
to bring these two groups closer together would be desirable. The consultation
document notes that 'quality is implicit in the standards set' in Building
Regulations. However, the problem is that 'quality' has not itself been
defined. The implication in government thinking is that 'quality' can
be equated with fail-safe and fault-free building. Admirable as it is
to have such an aim, that does not necessarily mean quality. In many
instances, particularly in historic buildings, unmeaning application
of unnecessarily rigid building regulations has been enormously destructive.
In order to achieve the Government’s aim of being an exemplary
client and a major driver for best practice, those commissioning new
buildings within the Scottish Office and its agencies should be less
fearful of risk. At present, the current system has devised a process
whereby the (theoretical) elimination of risk has driven the majority
of government patronage to a very limited range of "safe"
architects with large professional indemnity insurance. Not only has
it been said that the most creative Scots architects would be much better
off in Denmark, they would probably be better off in London - as the
architect David Page informed the annual conference of the Scottish
Civic Trust in 1998. Government should use the influence of its funding
to improve the quality of commissioning and design in its agents - the
Universities, Health Boards and others.
A Framework for Action
The RSE endorses the policies listed in the Framework for action and
believes they deserve to be actively pursued. However, the benefits
of architecture and good building design need to be more clearly specified.
Without specification, it is difficult to formulate action. The conclusion
states that Scotland needs the power and imagination of good architecture
'to improve our present and to secure our future'. These are fine sentiments,
but they will not be realised without agreement on how to evaluate it,
or a simple definition of what constitutes good architecture.
The RSE therefore welcomes the recognition of the need to broaden the
debate on architecture and develop a language for discussion and criticism
that is accessible to all. What is called for is a degree of public
education in the art of describing, interpreting and evaluating buildings,
not as dwellings, service or manufacturing units, nor abstractly as
aspects of this or that political or cultural movement, but as bearers
of character and meaningful design. In doing this, it is not so much
the promotion of architecture that is required, rather, it is the promotion
of interest in architecture.
One of the key recommendations is the proposal to undertake demonstration
projects. However, research into architecture needs to be undertaken
earlier and built upon to produce an organised body of knowledge. All
such demonstration projects should be required to produce a minimum
set of information and there must be much more openness about discussing
failures - as it is from these that we learn.
The Society suggests that the Framework should also include specific
proposals for action that take account of the following points:
- Greater awareness must be fostered of the historical and archaeological
background to our architecture. Old buildings will always represent
the majority of our identity, and a sensitive way to re-using them
in our changing world is desperately needed. The junction of new and
old, if creatively handled, provides as great a joy as can be obtained
in architecture. In addition, new buildings do not generally stand
in isolation and if they are to sithappily within their wider context
more must be understood of how that context took shape. As part of
this, architecture, urbanism and built environment could be included
as significant contributors to the teaching of art, history and geography.
- The national amenity bodies (notably the Scottish Civic Trust,
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, Society of Antiquaries
of Scotland, and the Council for Scottish Archaeology) should be encouraged
to take an even greater interest in the implications of new building
projects. In the longer term, similar encouragement should be given
to local societies, such as the numerous Civic Societies in many towns.
- There should be a policy of publishing guidance on matters of architectural
design and town planning. This is a notably difficult area, but the
Royal Fine Art Commission in England has already attempted to offer
guidelines with some success.
- Attempts should be made to investigate the provision of fresh supplies
of traditional building materials, especially stone, slate and timbers,
through re-opening quarries and new plantations of appropriate species.
These materials are essential both in the conservation of existing
buildings, and in the construction of modern buildings, especially
when the latter are to be sited in historically sensitive locations.
Additional Information
In responding to this consultation the Society would like to draw attention
to the following Royal Society of Edinburgh responses which are of relevance
to this subject: Scottish Arts in the 21st Century (January 1999); The
School Curriculum and the Culture of Scotland (April 1999) and Celebrating
Scotland: A National Cultural Strategy (November 1999).
March 2000
Further information is available from the Research Officer, Dr
Marc Rands |
