Architecture KITTY LAI SHU YIN S1617644 UNIT 5 TRANS

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UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: TECTONICS UNIT 5 TRANSFORMING SCOTLAND’S TOWNS KITTY LAI SHU YIN MA (Hons) Architecture 2019 - 20 Re-Thinking The High Street s1617644

FALKIRK COMMUNITY LIBRARY Unit 5 Transforming Scotland’s Towns Re-Thinking The High Street

Located in the central lowlands of Scotland, Falkirk was histor- ically a crucial town for agriculture and manufacturing, which also connects to larger cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. Due to changes in retail and commercial patterns, the closure of retail shops caused a lack of variety and mobility in Falkirk’s high street. This addresses the need to reintroduce new and diverse energies in the high street. Falkirk is also the social and economic centre to 20 nearby dependent towns. Hence, the revitalisation of the Falkirk High Street is crucial not only for the local community but for the wider region.

In a broader sense, the study of Falkirk town centre demonstrates the need for new purpose and vibrancy in many other high streets in Scotland today as they struggle to survive. With desert- ed town centres and automobile-dependent residential neigh- bourhoods, the call for the return of high-density living become more immediate.

02 According to USP figures, Falkirk has a significant number of residents who travel over 30 km to work and to study; these figures are much higher than other towns with more further education opportunities. The past of Falkirk has informed us of the momen- tous history of Technical institutes since the 1940s. It was until the 1960s when all of the four original trade training centres merged into a single Technical College, now known as the Forth Valley College. It is the only higher and further education institute in Falkirk today. We believe that education is the key catalyst of town regeneration since Falkirk has sufered from most of its popula- Former Falkirk Bus Terminal tion travelling beyond the town for work and study.

The project creates a lifelong learning hub that ofers a diverse education and living experience. The area includes a community library, studio and workshop spaces, a theatre with housing and a student housing on top of an education and sports complex. Traf- ﬁc and buses are rerouted into this area in order to bring people back into the High Street and reactivate the town centre.

Retail on High Street

Callendar Riggs Past We looked at the evolution of the landscape of the High Street 1. Research — due to our site’s proximity to an extensive amount of green space. The theme of education also emerged as we found a Past, Present, Future constant emphasis on handcrafts and vocational education in Falkirk’s past.

Changes in the boundary of green space Evolution of the ring road

Hundred Years of Falkirk High Street

High Street Housing Houses at the time was 2 Silver Row to 3 storeys high, slated. This area used to be site of Housing on some streets public buildings, e.g. St Francis Primary School, graveyard, pri- 03 Extendslike Back from Row the were High very Street vate houses and Masonic Arms. toirregularly the Market built. Road. 2 storey The development programme in the late 1950s has brought Town Steeple closure and demolition to Sil- Forth Valley College The physical and cultural sym- improvement scheme in 1903, First gas work ver Row, with the are replaced The previous Forth Valley bol of Falkirk. The frst steeple Owned by the Falkirk Gas by Callendar Shopping Centre. College in Falkirk closed in was built in 1697. The current Company, the small manu Due to unpopularity, it was December 2019, New Falkirk one dates from 1814, designed facturing plant was built in demolished in the late 1960s, Campus is the opened in by Scottish architect David High Station Road 1829 opposite to the lodge of replaced with the current Cal- January 2020, now known as Hamilton. Formerly known as Cow Belmont House. lendar Square since 1994. the largest Forth Valley College Wynd, the town coucil decided Campus among the other two to rename the road as High in Alloa and Stirling. Station Road, which leads up to Falkirk High station.

1820 1890 1950 2020

Technical College Old Market Place Cow Wynd Doaks Dance Hall Tram station Falkirk Technical College Falkirk was a market town until Falkirk was once a walled A dance hall opened in Sep- There were two tramways in opened in September 1963, the second half of 19th century. town with fve entranc tember 1933 by Johnny Doaks, Falkirk, one ran round a circular it merged with Clackmannan The centre of High Street es, one of which is Cow The Roxy Theatre used to hold dancing classes. route linking the outer parts College in 2005 to form Forth was the site of markets, public Wynd. Town’s cattle were Originally the Erskine Church- of Falkirk from 1905 – 1936, Valley College. The merged proclamations, punishments herded out of the stone from the 18th Century, turned and another service operated college had eight departments, and executions. gate in Cow Wynd to to an Electric Theatre in 1910 between High Street and Lau- including Applied Science, En- pasture. and became the Roxy Theatre rieston from 1909 – 1924. gineering, Social Science, Care New churches in 1938. The theatre that was and Education. located in Silver Row, closed in March 1958 due to redevelopment of the area in the late Age group A day in the life of an ofce staf A day in the life of grandma

To Forth Valley College From Falkirk Grahamston Station

To Kelpies

From Banknock

To the bank

To a cafe

From Callendar House

From Falkirk High Station

Present

In the present section, we focused on the connectivity of Falkirk as well as the living experience of local residents. We also discov- ered a lack of cultural facilities such as gym, theatre and library in the town centre. Scheme 1 Scheme 2 Active Travel Network

1820s

Pre-industrial Falkirk History As the Second World War came to an end, there was a Despite the establishment of Carron Ironworks in 1759, heavy industry took a long time before greating growing recognition that Britain wanted to improve work- infuencing the development of Falkirk. The factors that created growth and prosperity in Falkirk was the force at every level required better education and training. the Forth and Clyde Canal completed in 1790 and the Falkirk Trysts. This resulted in Falkirk the four trade training centres, where Overall world population craft apprentices and technicians were offered to the job Today’s 2050 training, to enhance skills for the working purpose.

High Street Housing Houses at the time was 2 to 3 storeys high, slated. Housing on some streets of like Back Row were very 2.5 billion people The irregularly built. Belmont House Town Steeple An elegant two storey man- The physical and cultural sym- sion owned by the sisters and bol of Falkirk. The frst steeple mother of Madeleine Hamilton Education Falkirk was built in 1697. The current East Bridge Road Smith, a 19th century Glasgow East burn one dates from 1814, designed Main entrance into the socialite. Her mother was the Suggested from the map of by Scottish architect David town from the east in daughter of architect David Falkirk in the Great Reform Act Hamilton. 18th century. Hamilton. 1932, there had been a water- course that ran from the Forth and Clyde Canal and passed Falkirk Future Mega-cities Future the periphery of the town. Rose Park Cottage A neat one storey cottage Mega-cities are cities with on Kerse Lane with garden 10 million inhabitants or more attached. Summer Sun The Four Trade Training Centres in the beginning: 1) In 1944, the frst was the County Trades School According to Unitied Nations’ projections, for building trade apprentices in the old Poors House in High Station Road. 2) County Mining Institute in Park Street opened in urbanisation combined with the overall 1947, formerly a the Grammar School of Falkirk. 3) In 1950, previous Blackbraes Primary School was of Old Market Place Cow Wynd Callendar Road converted into a centre for young workers in retail growth of the world’s population would Falkirk was a market town until Falkirk was once a walled The route to Falkirk and manufacturing, often subjects that no tradition- the second half of 19th century. town with fve entranc- from Edinburgh. It was The centre of High Street es, one of which is Cow opened in 1829. al apprenticeships was available. add another 2.5 billion to the urban popu- was the site of markets, public Wynd. Town’s cattle were 4) At the time the district still depended on 30 odd Falkirk Cattle Trysts The Cleddans proclamations, punishments herded out of the stone foundries and in 1952, the old Burnbank Foundry and executions. gate in Cow Wynd to The greatest cattle fairs in A common green enjoyed pasture. Europe in the 18th and 19th by the townfolks that has in Bainsford was developed sd the Foundry Trades lation by 2050. centuries. Farmers from all many uses such as gallows in Training Centre. Scotland and northern England the 17th century and parade came to sell their cattle at the ground for Falkirk Volunteers Over the next decade, these schools had expanded Trysts. They were held annu- 19th century. Since the completion of Forth and Clyde Canal in 1790, 19 foundries had been Falkirk ally in August, September and their range of subjects, leading the numbers of at- largest one in October. Falkirk on a Tryst Night established in or near Falkirk: James Grossart (1802–1891) tendants to increase dramatically. Having infuenced - Transporting raw materials as well as manufactured goods across the country by further education developments in England, -Carron Ironworks the Stirlingshire Education Committee decided to 1.By 1814, the Carron Company was the largest iron works in Europe, employing emerge these schools to form a new college, the over 2,000 workers. Falkirk Technical College was then opened in 1962. 1890s 2.Making carronades for the Royal Navy, pillar boxes and red telephone boxes

Industrial Falkirk Winter Sun Ironworks became a dominant source of employment for people in Falkirk since mid 1850s. Population of the town doubled from 9,000 in 1851 to 17,312 in 1891. Large-scale iron foundry transformed Falkirk into an industrial economy, also as the beginning of Scotland’s Industrial Revolution. Two railway stations, Falkirk High and Falkirk Grahamston, were opened in 1842 and 1850 respectively. Industry

Lint Riggs Villas in the outskirts To Forth Valley College 66% Extends from the High Street Segragation between rich From Falkirk Grahamston Station to the Market Road. 2 storey and poor increased. Mer- of the world’s population will houses down a narrow and chant classes started to be living in metropolitan areas dirty lane. Before the major build villas on the fringes improvement scheme in 1903, First gas work of the town, like Arnothill To Kelpies the street was only wide Owned by the Falkirk Gas and Meeks Road. enough for a horse and cart Company, the small manufacturing plant was built in From Banknock High Station Road 1829 opposite to the lodge of Formerly known as Cow Belmont House. Daily Routes Wynd, the town coucil decided to rename the road as High Falkirk resident working in a different city Station Road, which leads up to Falkirk High station. Landscape and Housing Boundary

Demand for beer and other alcoholic To the bank beverages resulted in the rise of distill- eries and breweries beside the Canal Falkirk Local Development Plan

New public buildings Tram station Johnston print press Falkirk for 2020-2040 Education To a cafe There was a boom of public There were two tramways in - The Scotsman buildings in the town in the Falkirk, one ran round a circular Future end of the century, including route linking the outer parts - The Yorkshire Post churches, banks, schools as well of Falkirk from 1905 – 1936, New bus station Iron foundries - The Falkirk Herald as a new Town Hall. and another service operated A new bus station was laid 13 new iron foundries - Belfast’s The News Letter between High Street and Lau- out at the east end of the were formed between New Town Hall (1879) rieston from 1909 – 1924. town in 1930s. This resulted in 1854 and 1877, employing First Public Library (1888) New churches the planning of Princes Street 1,730 workers. First Post Offce (1893) Numerous churches were which cut through the block in newly erected. Notebly, the Park Street to link Newmarket Christ Church in Kerse Lane Street to the east end and and the East United Presbyteri- prevent congestion. an Church, which was coverted into a theatre in later years. From Callendar House Expansion of Falkirk For our vision of Falkirk’s future, we imagined possible 1950s 1865

Retail in Falkirk Retail is economically important to Falkirk. In 1986, with the redevelopment of the west of the town centre, pedestrian precinct was made and became the Howgate Centre. Much of the retail activity within the town centre is now focused in Howgate Shopping Centre, Callendar Square and the Cen- green network and new ravel modes. To summa- ral Retail Park located in the north-east of Grahamstone Station, opened in 1995. Silver Row This area used to be site of public buildings, e.g. St Francis Primary School, graveyard, pri- From Falkirk High Station vate houses and Masonic Arms. The development programme in the late 1950s has brought 1865 Regal Cinema closure and demolition to Sil- Falkirk’s Chilren’s & Youth Designed in the Art Deco style ver Row, with the are replaced Theatre Falkirk elderly’s routine to high street by architect Charles J. McNair, by Callendar Shopping Centre. Established in the 1970s, their rise our research ﬁndings, we’ve identiﬁed two key opened in October 1934. It Due to unpopularity, it was pantomimes were televised was renamed as ABC (Associ- demolished in the late 1960s, from 1988 to 2000 by Scottish Place Standard Survey ated British Cinema) in 1961, replaced with the current Cal- Television to celebrate New rated by residents of Falkirk then was taken over by the lendar Square since 1994. Year. Pantomime is a type of Average household Cannon Group in 1986, MGM musical comedy stage pro- and the Virgin Group. duction designed for family size by 2039 themes as our project’s main focus: entertainment. 1947

Technical College Falkirk Technical College Doaks Dance Hall opened in September 1963, A dance hall opened in Sep- Callendar House Towards STEM Education it merged with Clackmannan tember 1933 by Johnny Doaks, Cultural facilities were College in 2005 to form Forth The Roxy Theatre used to hold dancing classes. enhanced in the 1990s. Valley College. The merged Originally the Erskine Church- The Callendar House was Education With the right support for the college had eight departments, from the 18th Century, turned renovated, sitting at the including Applied Science, En- manufacturing sector would to an Electric Theatre in 1910 large historic parkland, east According to Skills Development gineering, Social Science, Care and became the Roxy Theatre of the Falkirk town. The Park and Education. Scotland, the employment status accelerate growth, address in 1938. The theatre that was Gallery, which showcases located in Silver Row, closed in contemporary art, was from 2015, Forth Valley College’s the skills gap and provide March 1958 due to redevel- opened in 2002. a much-needed boost to opment of the area in the late result had a similar result with 1950s. overall’s Scottish University educa- technology, production and 1) Connections exports. tion. This highlights the success and the positive impact of FVC has 2020 1947 implemented through the years. More participation in Further Edu- Retail in Falkirk Despite the new shopping spots created in the 1990s, high street nowadays is in decline, with over cation instead of Higher Education, A. Re-establish the relationship between 50% retail shops closing down rapidly, leaving the street with vacant stores. New solutions are need- showing the need of gaining voca- ed to reintroduce the energy to the high street. tional skills is still in demand. “It’s time to bring back the polytechnics.” 2020 With the need to boost technical education more pressing than ever, reviving polys could be the answer. High Street and exisiting green space Most Popular Subjects at Forth Valley College Forth Valley College engineering Callendar Square The previous Forth Valley • Full-time: Engineering, Care, Business, At the east end of High Street, College in Falkirk closed in business ABC Cinema The Callendar Square Shop- December 2019, New Falkirk management & administration The cinema on Princes street ping centre has replaced Silver Campus is the opened in closed in May 2001, It has now Row and Horse market Lane. January 2020, now known as • Part-time: Engineering, Special Pro- converted into the City Night- the largest Forth Valley College club and Sportsters Bar. Bus Station Campus among the other two care grammes, Construction The bus station at Callendar in Alloa and Stirling. B. Making town centre more accessible to Riggs is no longer in use from August 2018. local community

St Francis Xavier’s Primary Entertainment School The introduction of TVs in the The old St Francis RC School 1950s has led to more halls Storm Nightclub located in Silver Row was and theatres closing down. In The dance hall has now closed in 1953. This has led become Storm Night Club Falkirk Trinity Church 2011, the Falkirk Council trans- to a relocation in Merchiston since 2003 (formerly named as Two buildings have been de- ferred a range of cultural and Dependent towns Avenue. Maniqui), run by Johnny Doaks’ molished near 50 High Street, leisure facilities to a charitable Grandson, David Johnston this has left a signifcant gap trust, which saved under £1m According to Understanding Scottish in the streetline, but allowing per year on non-domestic Places (USP), Falkirk Town Centre Green Space C. Connection with the wider region (Falkirk’s open access to the Churchyard rates and VAT. and views of the Falkirk Trinity is surrouded by around 20 towns The result indicates the lack of urban Church. that are catergorised as - dependent green space is a concern to residents. towns, dependent to interdependent Benefts 2020 and interdependent to dependent. This indicates Falkirk is an important loca- • Facilitate users’ perceived dependent towns) restorativeness Green roof tion to bring people of other towns into the high street. • Perceived restoativeness with four sub-dimensions 60-200mm Urban choices Alternative route for pedestrian journeys, walking the dog, cycling etc.

Aesthetic elements • different types of green features 1865 • clear distinction in daily environ- 2) Education ments, e.g. home and work • different seasons

— Bring students into Falkirk’s town centre 1917 4000mm Change in 2400mm Greenspace — Foster intergenerational exchanges within 1200mm 600mm 900mm

Roofwater Permeable recyling paving the community 1952 Rain garden

2020 3. Design — Masterplan

06 3. Urban Response — Urban Strategies

Transportation Green Space

Reintroduce trafc into the site and one section of high street. The Adding landscape and water feature to create a square for the new road now connects to Burnhead Lane. Bus stations are also local community to congregrate. Green space are created in placed on site to bring people back into the town centre. As a part between buildings for outdoor activites. To enhance the living of High Street remains pedestrian-only, the connection to buses environment, green streetscapes will enrich pedestrian journeys, on our site become a key transportation node to the town centre. facilitate human’s perceived restorativeness as well as connect The buses also connects the site with train stations and the Forth existing greenspace in Falkirk. Valley College in the Northh. 4. Design — Project Programme

10 The site is located at the East end of Falkirk’s town centre, sitting on the former ground of Falkirk’s bus terminal and marking the end of High Street. In the new masterplan, the area becomes a lifelong educational hub: a student housing with sports facilities 1 that promote physical education; a public theatre with educational functions; studio on the street level for students studying in 6 Forth Valley College to practise their crafts as well as providing public workshops; and lastly, a community library that ofers a sheltered public space and a Falkirk archive in the top level to strengthen the town’s past history.

Being a part of a lifelong learning campus, the three-storey library not only acts as a key educational facility but also enriches civic engagement in Falkirk’s town centre by ofering a sheltered meeting ground for local interaction and exchange. Hence, besides de- 7 signing space that accommodates for traditional media and quiet learning, group learning and socialising areas are also essential to encourage more dynamic activities. 3

08 4 2

10 9

11 8 5

1 Student housing with sports facilities 5 Community 9 Water feature 2 Theatre 6 Extra-car housing 10 Bus station 3 Housing 7 High-rise housing 11 Public Park 4 Studio + Housing 8 Open space 5. Drawings — Site Plan

09 4. Design — Studio + Housing

The site is located at the East end of Falkirk’s town centre, sitting on the former ground of Falkirk’s bus terminal and marking the end of High Street. In the new masterplan, the area becomes a new civic and educational hub that includes a community library, studio and workshop spaces, a theatre with housing and a student housing on top of an education and sports complex. More- over, trafc and buses are rerouted into this area in order to bring people back into the High Street and reactivate the town centre. 1

Being a part of a lifelong learning campus, the three-storey library not only acts as a key educational facility but also enriches civic engagement in Falkirk’s town centre by ofering a sheltered meeting ground for local interaction and exchange. Hence, besides de- 2 signing space that accommodates for traditional media and quiet learning, group learning and socialising areas are also essential to encourage more dynamic activities. 3

4 10

1 Artist studios 2 Public workshop 3 Storage 4 Gallery 5 Wood workshop 4. Design — Studio + Housing

1/F 6 6

6 Staf area

7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 11 2/F 9 9 9 9 9 9

10 10 10

7 Private garden 8 Living room 9 Dinning + Kitchen 10 Bedroom

10 10 10 3/F 9 9 9 10 8 10 10 8 10 8 10 10

8 Living room 9 Dinning + Kitchen 10 Bedroom 4. Design — Community Library

12 4. Design — Concept Extending external public space, creat- ing a central void

Inserting main circulation

13 Adding socialising space to circulation route 5. Drawings — Library Ground Floor Plan

4 14

2 1

1 Cafe 2 Information desk 3 Cloakroom 4 Ofce 5 Gallery 5. Drawings — Floor Plans

7 8 6

9 9 6 5

5 Gallery 6 Public reading room 15 6 Public reading room 8 Kid’s reading corner 7 Lectural hall 9 Meeting room

14 10 15

14 16

11 14

10 Falkirk archive 15 Falkirk archive 11 Study pods 16 Maintainence workspace 12 Sky garden 13 Digital workspace 14 Private study rooms 5. Drawings — Section A

0 5

16 5. Drawings — Section B

0 5 Detail B 5. Drawings — Technical Detail

Detail A

18 Detail B

19 Detail C 5. Drawings — Technical Detail

Detail C

Detail D

20 5. Drawings — Technical Detail

Detail D

21 Drawings — Atrium View 5. Drawings — Structural Design

Atrium steel columns

23 Concrete core walls

Composite framing system 5. Drawings — Environmental Design

Summer sun (~56o)

CHIMNEY EFFECT The circulation of cold and hot air in atrium strengthens natural ventilation and regulates indoor temperature. 24

RAINWATER COLLECTION E Winter sun (~11o) W

DIFFUSED SKYLIGHT

AIR QUALITY High ﬂoor height allows for natural ventilation.

SUN-SHADING Vertical louvers control the amount of direct sunlight entering reading space.

THERMAL MASS OUTDOOR BALCONY Concrete structure provides Connection with urban landscape. thermal mass to regulate Allow extension for outdoor temperature throughout a day. public events.

UNDERGROUND AIR VENTS & SERVICES 6. Project Summary — Conclusion

The creation of a life long learning hub in Falkirk High Street involves a vast community with diferent ages and backgrounds. From the masterplan, connections with other areas and green spaces are created . The studio+housing promotes the skills locals and students whereas the community library afords a socialising and learning hub in all weathers. The scheme actively encourages interactions and exchanges among the local community, which would ultimately inject new energies to the high street and the town centre. The future vision of Falkirk demonstrates a possible solution of the high street readapting to new purposes, leading towards a more friendly and sustainable living environment to cities today.

25 CONTACT DETAILS

Name Kitty LAI Shu Yin

Phone (852) 51988443

Email [email protected]