West of Scotland Housing Association
15.02.11
West of Scotland Housing Association appointed Graven Images as brand and interior designers of their new headquarters in Camlachie, Glasgow.
Since its creation in 1947 the Camlachie estate in the east end of Glasgow has had a chequered history owing to poor housing conditions and gang warfare (the area became known locally as ‘Nightmare Alley’).
Half a century later, thanks to residents’ foresight and determination, coupled with WoSHA’s management expertise, Camlachie’s fortunes have been transformed.
The focus of the estate’s metamorphosis (known originally as Barrowfield) is the £55 million, 12 year long project to convert 712 sub-standard houses (World War Two’s demands deprived builders of good material) into 488 new and refurbished properties. Such is the demand from those keen to return to the area, or live there for the first time, that two waiting lists are operating.
The new £2.5m office is a key part of the organisation’s housing regeneration programme and by 2014, it will be at the heart of the Commonwealth Games activities, located a short distance from the athletes village and only a few metres from the forthcoming Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Graven Images’ design challenge was to give staff and the public a welcoming and high quality environment economically.
Working alongside architects, Anderson Bell Christie, Graven Images was asked to consider reception, meeting rooms, committee room, staffroom areas and corridors. Graven Images’ Design Director Kirsty Lang said: "Good intelligent design should be part of everyday life. There is no reason why public design can’t be both creative and functional.
We wanted the place to feel approachable while improving the experience for both customers and staff." Oak wood is used on the floors, ceilings and walls of the reception area to give a sense of bringing the outdoors inside.
Glass doors allow spaces to open up by increasing the impression of space and light. Soft furnishings and subtle lighting were selected to ensure customers felt relaxed and at home. Striped carpets and ceilings break the monotony of corridors and large atmospheric images of the city’s bridges and waterways celebrate Glasgow’s geography and remind staff of the areas they serve.
A distinctive graphic brand identity was also created to reflect the purpose, ethos, professionalism and scale of the organisation.
