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West Highland Museum

10 January 2022
Over the last few months Helen Lucas Architects have been working with the West Highland Museum in Fort William to look at plans to extend and renovate the current museum. The proposals relate to improving the exhibition space, shop, offices and education and research facilities. The Article below in the current Lochaber Life outlines a brief history of the museum and their plans for the future. 
It has been a pleasure working with the West Highland Museum and we look forward to the next steps!
 
Tagged with: Fort William, Helen Lucas Architects, Highlands, Listed Building, Lochinver

New working hours

1 September 2021
Here at Helen Lucas Architects we have decided, as an office, to trial a 4-day working week. 
 
This is in response to a number of studies worldwide and a recent Scottish Government report which cite improvements in efficiency, better work/life balance and improved morale generally as a result of this change. The turbulence wrought to office and home life by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last 18 months has led us to consider the possibility of more innovative working practices; giving a higher priority to a healthy work/life balance whilst, studies show, maintaining productivity. 
We are also driven by the potential environmental benefits of reducing energy use in the office and slashing transport emissions by cutting back on commuting.
 
For the next three months (September to November 2021) we will be modifying our work schedule so the office is open from Monday to Thursday only, and closed on Friday.
 
Tagged with: Architects, Edinburgh Architects, Helen Lucas Architects, Scotland

Architecture Fringe 2021

11 May 2021

The Architecture Fringe Festival returns from the 4th-20th June 2021 with a wide range of online and on site events, including the online graduate Showcase from Architecture and Landscape Architecture students across Scotland. The Architecture Fringe is a grassroots organisation based in Scotland that explores architecture and design in our social, political and cultural contexts.

 
The theme of this years festival is ‘(Un)Learning’ - suggesting starting anew and re-examining what we hold to be true. 
 
Helen Lucas Architects are a proud supporter of this exciting, innovative and diverse festival. 
 
More information on this year’s programme of events can be found here, and a preview video can be found here. 
 
Tagged with: Architects, Contemporary, Helen Lucas Architects

Construction Declares Event

29 April 2021

The next online event hosted by Construction Declares Scotland is on Thursday 6th May at 16.30. It focuses on the built environment’s response to the climate emergency.

Featured speakers include: 

Adam Armour-Florence, Sustainability Officer from West Dunbartonshire Council, who will discuss recent Scottish climate legislation, how that has changed West Dunbartonshire’s approach and steered their Climate Change Plan.

Basil Demeroutis, Managing partner from FORE Partnership, the developer of Glasgow's Cadworks Office building will talk about FORE's approach to the climate emergency and their work.

Graeme Hannah, Head of Sustainability at Robertson Construction will talk about the decarbonisation work they are undertaking and give the Constructor's perspective

Peter Fisher from Bennett's Associates will talk about their company's Science Based targets.

There will be a Q&A with the speakers after the presentations for everyone to discuss the presentations.
 
Tickets for the event can be purchased from this link, and more information on the Construction Declares Group can be found here.
 

 

 

 

Tagged with: Architects, Architects Declare, Climate Emergency, Edinburgh Architects, Scotland, Sustainability, Sustainable Architecture

Inspirational Organisations

8 March 2021

To mark International Women’s Day we would like to highlight some organisations doing fantastic work to promote women in architecture and the built environment, and draw attention to the often overlooked role of women in our profession. 

 
https://voices-architecture.com/
Voices of Experience is an investigation into undiscovered women who have made important contributions to architecture and the built environment. In collaboration with Glasgow Women’s Library, this project seeks to build an audio archive of conversations to document the experiences of women working in the built environment in the late twentieth century. 
 
Women in Architecture UK aim to raise the profile, represent the views and promote the progression of women in architecture and the built environment professions. They are pushing to disrupt the familiar narrative of architectural history, from which women are largely omitted and obscured, by supporting, inspiring and championing women in architecture and diversity in architecture as a whole.
 

Missing in Architecture focus on four interconnected themes; Equality & Diversity, Education & Inspiration, Identity & Practice and the future. They are interested in filling in the missing gaps in architecture, and providing a voice for those that are often overlooked.

 

https://www.part-w.com/
Part W is an action group of women working across architecture and design, infrastructure and construction and campaigning for gender parity across the built environment. Calling out gender discrimination in an industry that routinely excludes, they are driven by a desire to see places and spaces being designed and delivered in a manner that is open, supportive and beneficial to all.
 
Tagged with: Helen Lucas Architects, International Women's Day, Women Architect