Well done fellow architects! We understand the massive opportunity a #YES victory represents. #indyref @Yes Scotland @Architects for Yes A week before the referendum, Scottish architects plan to vote yes, as culture secretary Fiona Hyslop calls for an end to the brain-drain to London Almost two thirds of architects in Scotland want independence, according to a new poll of the profession. A hefty 59 per cent of the nearly 160 architects who voted in AJ’s recent online survey said they were in favour of the country cutting its ties with the UK – around 12 per cent above the number of yes voters in the latest YouGov poll of the general public. Those working in small practices showed a clear preference for independence, but those at medium to large practices were divided by an almost even split between the yes and no camps. But Alasdair Stephen, of RIBA Award-winning Dualchas Architects, who is also a key figurehead of the Architects for Yes campaign, argued that independence would invigorate Scottish architecture. ‘Scotland will have more self-confidence, which will be reflected in our architecture,’ he said. ‘We will be equal with other nations in the world and we will realise that our architecture should be just as good. A lack of confidence and invisibility is preventing it from being so.’ Euan McLaren, of 3DReid, agreed. He said: ‘I hope [independence] will provide a shot in the arm and give confidence to clients – both national and international – to use Scottish architects. It will start a national conversation about Scottish architecture and how it can help shape our future. As the AJ went to press, YouGov’s latest poll showed 47 per cent of the Scottish public in favour of independence, and 45 per cent against. On Monday, at an event organised by the Architects for Yes group, the Scottish secretary for culture, Fiona Hyslop, said: ‘The referendum has engaged people in politics in a way I have never seen before.’ She added: ‘I don’t want our talent to have to go to London to be able to do what they trained to do. We need to showcase the talent of our architects internationally.’ Peter Wilson, director of the Wood Studio research centre, Edinburgh Napier University’s Institute for Sustainable Construction ‘The most immediate consequence of a no vote will be an increase in the drain of architectural talent to London that has been the bane of professional life here since time immemorial. With only the prospect of increased austerity measures from an unconstrained Westminster government, insufficient opportunities are likely to emerge in the foreseeable future to enable Scotland to retain this valuable resource. Constant turbulence of personnel does not make for great architecture, and anyone thinking the proposed additional devolved powers will bring more opportunity, prosperity and security is likely to be deluded. ‘Many architects in Scotland have viewed the referendum as the opportunity to effect the positive change necessary to fit the profession for the 21st century. Should this compulsion be stifled, the restructuring essential to the creation and support of quality architecture will be placed on hold in favour of a status quo that manifestly does not work for most of Scotland’s 4,000 or so practitioners.’ Paul Stallan, design director, Stallan-Brand ‘Being involved in urban regeneration and education projects in Glasgow, I would hope that a yes vote would provide a new impetus in this sector with a greater focus on eradicating poverty, unemployment and chronic ill health. ‘The yes vote is a protest vote against a legacy of destruction and broken communities started by Margaret Thatcher and perpetuated by London’s political elite. A yes vote will have positive implications for architects working in both Scotland and England. The old order is dead.’ Thea McMillan, director of architecture, Chambers McMillan ‘Decisions for Scotland should be made as close to the people they affect as possible. This allows real engagement with people in both policy and decision making. The referendum gives an opportunity to be involved in a debate with so many different areas of society. ‘The energy and buzz that would carry on after a yes vote would help inform further engagement on policies that affect architects: procurement, inclusion and the opportunity to design for people rather than for conglomerates.’ architectsjournal.co.uk/news/two-thirds-of-scotlands-architects-favour-breaking-away-from-the-uk/8669506.article
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:13:22 +0000
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