planning – Page 4 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Winchburgh: Daisy Park plans submitted for planning approval

A formal planning application has now been submitted to West Lothian Council to create a major new park on the site of the historic Winchburgh Brickworks.

Daisy Park, which is part of the approved masterplan for Winchburgh, sits adjacent to the Union Canal and the new marina in the heart of the Winchburgh community.

The designs for Daisy Park have been heavily influenced by the local community. They respect and reflect the historic brickworks as well as retaining major areas of biodiversity. The park will also include a wild learning garden and viewing points across to the Forth bridges.

Daisy Park will become a central meeting place for and provide connections across the whole of the community by footpaths and cycle paths. Connecting directly onto the Union Canal, it can be easily used as a stop-off for those cycling the wider canal network.

John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, commented: “This isn’t just another new park for the community. Its design has been significantly influenced by the community too.

“The plans have been subject to extensive consultation and the proposals that are going in for approval reflect the feedback that we had from many Winchburgh residents.

Some of the locals still remember the brickworks when it was operational and we know many of them are looking forward to seeing the old industrial site take on a new lease of life.”

The planning application can be viewed by searching for ‘daisy’ on the West Lothian Council planning portal. The extensive public consultation report detailing the full engagement and feedback activities are part of the submission.

As part of the plans, Winchburgh will welcome adventure waterpark operators, Wild Shore, to the site.

Wild Shore – which already operates in Dundee, Delamere (Cheshire), Liverpool and New Brighton – is set to develop a new facility within the park and create a major water-based visitor attraction. The people behind Wild Shore also operate Foxlake Adventures in East Lothian.

The park will become home to award-winning water adventure activities including cable wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and for the first time in Scotland – their unique floating ropes course over water – Aqua Chimp. The facilities will also include changing rooms and a café.

Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore, said: “‘We are delighted that the planning application has been submitted. The community consultation has been an invaluable exercise in gaining a unique insight into the village’s history, exciting future and the strong community driving expansion and change.

“We have been blown away by the support the project has received and can’t wait to start working with local schools, youth groups, voluntary organisations and the wider community to create a truly special facility for Winchburgh and beyond.”

Wild Shore Winchburgh will manage the quarry water under a 30-year agreement with Winchburgh Developments. It will be easily accessible within one hour for more than half of the Scottish population, especially with new junction connecting local roads with the M9 expected to be completed early next year. 

Spanning 352 hectares, Winchburgh is one of the largest placemaking projects currently underway in the UK delivering at least 3,800 homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, schools and outdoor spaces.

Any enquiries should be directed to Penny Lochhead, Community, Sports and Greenspace Manager on 07802 500991 or penny@winchburghdevelopments.com. 

Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore Winchburgh, 07507 331535 callum@wildshore.co.uk

Planning application:

https://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RFEYCYRJH4I00

The full design boards from the consultation can be seen at www.winchburghgreenspaces.co.uk

The artist impressions are courtesy of Optimised Environments Ltd (OPEN).

Fountainbridge plans consultation

Join us for an online information event about a planning application for a major development at Fountainbridge. This exciting project involves the landmark regeneration of a brownfield former brewery site, which is uniquely positioned on the Union Canal in Edinburgh.

The online community event is on Thursday 30 June, between 3pm and 7pm.

The development team, including representatives from Cruden and Buccleuch Property, will be available online to answer your questions and listen to your views through a dedicated chat system https://orbitconsultations.scot/fountainbridge/

Green light for Forth Street aparthotel

The city council’s Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday granted approval, subject to conditions, for a new 55-room aparthotel on Forth Street and Broughton Street Lane.

This is to be undertaken by independent company, Supercity Aparthotels.

Its first operation in Edinburgh, the aparthotel will incorporate Forth House and Playfair House, current home to Radio Forth, with associated parking, landscaping, and ancillary works.

The stylish aparthotel will includea communal lounge/bar area, with reception facilities provided on a 24/7 basis, and a gym will also be provided. It is estimated that around 18 jobs will be created by the new operation, which lies in close proximity to the city centre, contributing to tourism, which is the city’s third biggest source of employment.

Supercity Aparthotel’s core clients are business travellers and extended stay guests attracted by the central locations. It offers long stay incentives through a higher level of discount for medium-long term bookings. These core client characteristics mean that movements to/from the property will be less than that of the existing use.

The front of B-listed Forth House will remain mostly unchanged, serving to preserve the historic building. Minor changes are proposed on the rear elevation, such as changing an existing opening to a door.

Modern Playfair House, fronting Broughton Street Lane, will be stripped back to its superstructure and a new facade of natural stone and precast concrete built to align with adjacent buildings, reinstating the mews street frontage.

The site benefits from excellent transport links and as such, the existing parking provision is being reduced from 24 spaces to seven. There is some demand for parking associated with the business which will be located within the building undercroft and will not be visible from the street.

Five of the car parking spaces will include electric vehicle charging points. Ten secure cycle parking spaces will be located internally with an additional four external spaces located in the car park.

Roger Walters, Chairman of Supercity Aparthotels commented: “We are delighted that our aparthotel operation has been approved by the committee, which will preserve the fabulous Forth House.

“This is an excellent location for our first operation in Edinburgh, lying close to the busy city centre and will also serve to benefit the community through reducing movements to and from the building than is currently the case.

“We look forward to working commencing onsite and will continue to engage with the community to ensure that it is kept updated as works progress.”

Operating in London, Manchester and Brighton, Supercity Aparthotels is primarily aimed at extended stay guests and business travellers, have led the way in superior and stylish serviced apartment hotels. Its signature personalised and flexible service has established a level of comfort, convenience, and attention to detail that only true independently owned and operated companies can achieve.

It currently has six properties with two new locations in city centre York and Leeds opening by 2023, with strong aspirations to expand into more key locations across the UK.

SEPA reveals how businesses are taking action to avoid water scarcity this Water Saving Week

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is highlighting how businesses are playing their part to protect Scotland’s water environment as part of Water Saving Week 2022.

The annual event has been created by Waterwise to raise awareness of the issues around water use and takes place between Monday 23 May and Friday 27 May. Today, the final day of the campaign, focuses on water and the natural environment.

Scotland’s climate is changing, and communities are coming to terms with the impacts of more frequent extreme weather events like water scarcity. Climate change is likely to bring more uncertainty and cause problems in new areas.

Many rivers and watercourses require groundwater to supplement rainfall during the summer months. However, due to a drier than average winter, we are already seeing lower groundwater storage and this could result in water scarcity.

The latest water situation report, published this week, continues to show an east-west split in the risk of water scarcity:

Conditions in the west remain at Normal level and there has been some recovery in the south. However, without above-average rainfall in the next few months, the risk of impacts from water scarcity will increase and therefore most of this area stays at Early Warning.

In the east, despite some rainfall over the last week, this has not been enough for recovery and these areas also remain at Early Warning.

Groundwater levels at monitoring sites in the east and south-west remain low for the time of year, while the north and north-east are within normal range.

SEPA works with businesses all over Scotland to help manage the range of conditions they face and to avoid water scarcity issues where possible. This includes key sectors such as food and drink production, energy, farming and golf.

Royal Troon in Ayrshire, a world-famous golf club which has hosted several Open Championship tournaments, has demonstrated its commitment to protecting water resources and the environment by investing in more efficient equipment.

Club Secretary, Stephen Anthony, said: “A reliable clean water source is essential for care and maintenance of the course. The environment and use of water is one of our primary concerns and over watering can actually have a detrimental impact on the species of grass and the playability of the course.

“Over the past three years, the club has made a major investment in a state-of-the-art replacement irrigation system on all courses, from abstraction from a burn that discharges into the sea after passing through the course, to storage, and to delivery via the sprinkler heads.

“Unlike our previous system that was virtually all on or all off, this one enables us to target water to where it is needed. We could have one single sprinkler working and all others off. This allows us to use water more efficiently.”

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: “Our aim is to work with businesses to do the right thing and help protect our water environment.

“Golf is just one industry that is fundamental to that, and it is great to see a club like Royal Troon making such an investment in their irrigation system. This not only ensures the best possible outcome for their own operations but eases pressure on nearby burns and rivers when they are at risk of drought.

“It is vitally important that Scotland is prepared to deal with water scarcity both now and in the future. SEPA is here to help plan and can advise on a series of straight forward steps for businesses to take such as monitoring water usage and equipment and avoiding any unnecessary leakage. We encourage them to work together and stagger their abstractions to minimise any potential impacts.”

Business can find out more information about water scarcity and how to prepare on our website.

Scottish government consults on streamlining planning processes

Consultation proposes changes to boost economy and help net zero transition

As part of its Permitted Development Rights review, the Scottish Government is consulting on measures that would save applicants the time and expense of applying for planning permission for some types of development.

Consultation proposals include:

outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application under new proposals to support the hospitality industry
relaxing the need to seek planning permission for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in car parks or at filling stations
allowing a wider variety of changes of use for premises in city, town and local centres to promote more rapid adaption to changing circumstances
permitting conversion of buildings to small workspaces to support local innovation and entrepreneurship as part of the national strategy to transform the economy

Planning Minister Tom Arthur said: “The pandemic has highlighted that use of outdoor spaces can help bolster our hospitality industry and make city, town and local centres feel more welcoming and vibrant. I encourage local businesses and communities to submit their views on these proposals to relax planning requirements.

“Extending permitted development rights to make changes in use easier will help to deliver our entrepreneurship ambitions by creating enterprising communities, as set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

“Proposals to support the extension of the charging network reflect the significant growth in electric vehicle ownership forecasted for the coming years and the vital role of electric vehicle owners in helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045.”

UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Leon Thompson said: “Over the course of the pandemic hospitality businesses made great use of outdoor space, allowing them to trade whilst keeping customers and workers safe.

“Outdoor seating is extremely popular with guests and these often imaginative and creative spaces continue to be used extensively.

“UKHospitality Scotland is pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to our calls and is putting forward plans to relax planning requirements. This will save businesses time and money, whilst adding to the vibrancy of our towns and cities. This move will also help to boost local economies and create jobs.”

Read the Permitted Development Review consultation.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks.

Cockburn Association: Manifesto for the City

As we head into the Local Council elections in May, the Cockburn Association has set out its “asks” of current and prospective councillors.

In doing so, we also set out key areas for policy and management to carry Edinburgh forward post-Covid during the next administration between 2022-27.

Read and download our full manifesto by clicking here, then get in touch with the candidates in your ward and ask them if they will commit to the following:

The next five years will need to be about building a new, resilient future for the City. Maintaining the quality of our streets, buildings and neighbourhoods should be at the forefront of governance priorities.

Professor Cliff Hague OBE, Chairperson of the Council of the Association commented: “We need to move from an exploitive linear economy to one that cherishes and reuses its built and natural environment and places community well-being at the heart of decision-making.”

The Cockburn discussed some of the ideas in this latest Manifesto for the City in greater detail in our recent publications Our Unique City (2019) and the revised version, Our Unique City: our future after coronavirus (2020).

2022-Manifesto-for-the-City-1 Download

Construction: planning approvals boost offers positive outlook

Planning approvals rise 11% in three months to February, boosting development pipeline
Contract awards for major projects rise 36% in three months to February
Underlying project approvals are up 10% in three months to February, 2% higher than a year ago
Hotel & Leisure is February’s strongest performer, up 23% on preceding three months and 7% on a year ago
Office and retail-starts increase 17% and 11% in the three months to February
North-East bucks the trend to deliver growth both in the preceding three months and previous year

Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, has released the March 2022 edition of its Construction Review.

This Review focuses on the three months to the end of February 2022, covering all projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted.

It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months.

Hope on the horizon

The value of underlying and major project^[1] starts on-site experienced sharp declines in the three months to February (-17%), over a quarter lower on 2021 (-26%).

However, a rallying development pipeline should give the sector reasons for cautious optimism.

The value of detailed planning approvals rose by 11% to average £8,991 million against the previous three months. Major project approvals performed strongly against the same period (+26%); and underlying approvals witnessed growth of 10%, standing 2% higher than a year ago.

Despite a modest industry-wide dip in main contract awards (-5%), those for Major projects were up, increasing 36% during the three months to February.

Partially offsetting the abnormally weak start to the year in performance-terms, this boost in planning approval and contract awards sits in line with Glenigan’s most recent Forecast, indicating potential market revival in the second half of 2022

Glenigan Construction Review_Image 1.png

Output rising

However, a gradual increase in construction activity during the last three months also suggests a sector on the brink of resurgence.

According to the latest ONS figures, overall construction output during the three months to January increased 3% against the preceding three months, up 6.9% higher than a year ago.

Drilling down into these figures, R&M output increased, up 1.4% during the same timeframe and up 5.4% on the previous year. Growth in this area was predominantly driven by a 2.9% rise in non-housing R&M and a 1.1% increase in public housing R&M work.

Within the same time period, new work output also increased 4.0% and 7.9% compared the previous year. A rise in industrial work has been a main driver, growing 11.2% and 30.4% on the year previous.

Private housing and infrastructure also strengthened. Infrastructure output grew 5.2% against the last three months and 30% compared to a year ago. Whilst private housing output increased 3.4%, rising 11.3% on 2021 figures.

Finally, commercial output rose 5.2% against the preceding three months but fell 7.4% compared with the previous year.

Glenigan Construction Review_Image 2.png

Mixed sector performance

Individual sector performance results were mixed, with many still heavily affected by materials and skills shortages, caused by ongoing supply chain issues and geopolitical disturbances.

Overall, housing was one of the worst performers in the three months to February, with project starts 21% lower than the preceding three months (Oct-Nov 2021), plummeting 46% compared to the same period in 2021.

Private housing starts fell once again (-23%), contributing further to the ongoing downward trajectory which has characterised this vertical over the last few months. Social housing project-starts faired little better, falling 16% during the three months to February .

In the non-residential sector, hotel and leisure project-starts continue to be a strong performer, having grown almost a quarter (23%) and up 7% on a year ago.

Office and retail-starts also increased 17% and 11% in the three months to February, but were still down 6% and 15% compared with the previous year respectively. Likewise, infrastructure-starts increased a meagre 2%, but were 27% lower on 2021.

Other sectors continued to struggle as external factors continued to bite, with health (-21%), education (-2%), civils (-17%) starts all falling in the three months to February, respectively down 18%, 15% and 34% against the previous year.

Regional breakdown

The North East managed to buck the declining trend, experiencing 6% growth on both the preceding three months to February and on the same period in 2021. This is, in part, attributable to a number of projects coming online, including an £11 million office development in Middlesbrough.

Scotland and London also saw growth on the last three months, at +13% and +9% respectively but were still down -36% and -26% on figures a year ago.

Elsewhere, the majority of regions have performed poorly during the three months to February.

Commenting on the Review, Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s Economic Director, says, “Socio-economic events, which have held back sector recovery obstinately persist and now, with the added geopolitical factor in the Ukraine, supply chains will be squeezed further.

“This will inevitably increase demand, and price, on essential structural materials which might prompt many clients and contractors to push back starts until availability of building products becomes more reliable and cost effective”

He continues, “This will obviously impact performance levels, but, so long as even a few of these lingering issues resolve themselves over the next quarter, I expect we’ll see a renewed burst of activity in line with a solidly growing pipeline of planning consents.”

To download a copy of the full March Review click here.

To find out more about Glenigan, its expert insight and leading market analysis, click here.

Proposals for major new residential serviced living development next to Ocean Terminal to go on display

The public is to be given the opportunity to view proposals by Crosslane Residential Developments (Crosslane) for an exciting new residential serviced living development at Ocean Point 2, next to Leith’s Ocean Terminal.

Residential serviced living is a new type of fully furnished accommodation, with shared social spaces focused on creating a vibrant sense of community and all-inclusive rents, covering utilities and other living costs.

The scheme will comprise 293 units providing a mix of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bed apartments, with 74 of these offered at affordable intermediate rent levels.

The proposed high-quality, new development will be entirely different to other residential accommodation. The entire building is designed to be a living environment. The principle is that residents sleep in their room but ‘live’ in the building by taking advantage of the wide range of shared communal space and facilities available, generating a real sense of community within the development.

A development such as this responds to market demand for quality rental homes. This is fuelled by a lack of new housing supply coming to the market, an increasing proportion of young professionals looking for more flexibility in how they live and work, and challenges in affordability with many young people being priced out of an expensive and highly competitive apartment-based rental marketplace.

Research from letting portal Citylets reveals the average monthly rent in Edinburgh’s private rental sector rose by 9.8% to £1,191 in the last three months of 2021. This is rent cost alone and does not include utilities and other normal living costs.

93% of one and two-bedroom properties in the Capital found new tenants within one month, with average rents reaching £813 (up 4.9%) for a one-bed apartment, while two-bed apartments achieved average rentals of £1,111, up 9.8%.

The proposal from Crosslane will provide a new residential serviced living development that is affordable and hassle-free, in a convenient, accessible location, inclusive of utilities and bills. Target customers include local residents, young professionals, key workers and nomadic professionals drawn to Edinburgh by project led employment.

A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) has been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council, and two consultation events will be held.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus, the Scottish Government has issued guidance encouraging developers to use online or digital engagement methods whilst public gatherings are prohibited.

On Thursday, 10 February 2022, between 3 pm and 7 pm, the development team will be available at www.oceanpoint2.com to answer your questions through a dedicated chat system as part of the digital consultation.

This will enable visitors to communicate directly with the design and advisory team and for them to answer any questions.

Details of the proposals will go live on the website from 9am. A second event is planned for March.

Visitors who do not have online access to exhibition materials can request hard copies from hello@oceanpoint2.com or contact Orbit Communications on 0131 202 3259 or at 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE.

Mark Hughes, Managing Director at Crosslane Residential Developments, said: “Crosslane and its advisory team are looking forward to be giving the local public the chance to view and comment on exciting proposals for our Ocean Point 2 development in Leith.

“This is an incredibly appealing prospect for both Leith and Edinburgh as a whole. Residential serviced living represents an innovative affordable housing solution at a time when rental accommodation prices in the capital are soaring, and there are serious demands on housing supply.

“Our proposals will significantly assist in the regeneration and expansion of this part of the city. We are consulting extensively to ensure that people from across the local area have an opportunity to input their views and shape our ambitious proposals.

“We encourage all interested parties to speak to the team on 10 February and to put any questions you have to them.”

New concert hall for Edinburgh city centre

Council Leader and Planning Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council welcome the approval of the plans for the Dunard Centre

The planning application, submitted by IMPACT Scotland, was approved yesterday by the city council’s Development Management Sub-Committee.

Council leader Adam McVey, said: “It’s great news that planning approval has been granted for this exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital.

“This is the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years and I know so many people in the city are looking forward to enjoying a first class cultural experience with an expanding number of amazing venues.

“The new concert hall is the cultural flagship of our City Region Deal and being in a central location with fantastic public transport connections, it will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the newly opened Edinburgh St James Quarter helping to keep our city centre a vibrant and thriving destination.”

Planning Convener Councillor Neil Gardiner said: I’m delighted committee today approved the new concert hall planning application and I welcome this major investment in Scotland’s Capital City.

“This state of the art purpose-designed facility now matches our international standing as the world’s premier festival city.

“The architecture of this new concert hall works well with historic Dundas House: the original plan of the New Town was to have cultural buildings at either end of George Street, which will now be fulfilled at St Andrews Square.

“Impact, who will operate the venue, has also committed to reach out to communities and schools across the city to make music accessible which is also welcome.”

Team Esteem’s in Dubai …

A Team Esteem update from JAIRIS ALVARES

Construction

Working on our adaptable strategy for modern construction solutions to meet the world’s carbon agenda, we manufactured a world first: a house fully constructed from Scottish-grown and pressed cross laminated timber. A huge collaborative student success of proving the existence and ability for the new industry in the UK, contributing to the development of the local economy.

The students played a key part in all of the processes in designing and working with industry at all stages, introducing over one hundred young professionals to the sustainable benefits of mass timber production and the solutions required to overcome the technical complexity and associations with using timber as a building material.

The immense effect of celebrating the positive environmental impact and carbon reduction across social media has spread the message to many thousands more people worldwide.

Designing to the constraints of transportation via containers, the design required flexibility and de-mountability which challenges the wasteful approach of single-use residential properties that ultimately lead to demolition.

Our commitment to reduce embodied carbon is matched with the need to operate a thermally and energy efficient house. Priorities were placed on minimising energy use from manufacture to as-built and continually improving the resilience to the changing climate requirements across both Scotland and Dubai.

The innovation and solution to creating a low carbon design is further aided with the use of recyclable, natural materials such as hemp insulation and wood fibre rigid insulation. These work with the timber structure to create an organic, safe environment for the occupants, free of emissions and VOC’s often associated with alternative materials. We believe this is a key driver for the success of the design solution and the achievement felt by the students constructing this.

Windcatcher

The courtyard is integral to the experience of the house as it provides a private outdoor recreational area. Therefore, we had to think creatively to make it a comfortable space.

We looked to regions with warmer climates for inspiration as it was evident that conventional air conditioning systems and fans would not be suitable. The Windcatcher is a hallmark of traditional Persian architecture, but it had to be adapted to fit our design philosophy.

When designing our ideal windcatcher, our team reimagined what is usually quite an active, angular structure to one with complex curves and soft edges. Our design incorporates an entirely passive functionality of natural airflow through our concrete model, in alignment with our ethos.

Along with the tower, we designed a conformal bench to close off the courtyard. This is an example of creative integration; the bench follows the curves of the tower while fulfilling the criteria for courtyard privacy.

This design was made possible by using 3D printed concrete, provided by Concreative in Dubai. This manufacturing process is truly at the leading edge of construction.

We therefore achieved a creative outdoor cooling solution that requires no power, has almost negligible running costs and is extremely reliable. Fundamentally, the windcatcher is a creative redesign of an age-old concept in order to create an outdoor cooling system in harmony with a modern house.

Architecture

Our house exploits architectural strategies to embrace a balance of open, celebratory community areas and small, focused private spaces. The living room and dining/kitchen area flank the external courtyard, facing each other across retractable triple-glazed doors.

The living room and the dining area benefit from luxurious high ceilings, giving an expansive feeling to these rooms, encouraging gathering and communal engagement. Conversely, the bedroom and study are enclosed spaces, wrapped in the thick CLT walls (both internal partitions and external) providing thermal, acoustic and visual separation for quiet enjoyment and focus.

Reconciling traditional Emirati architecture and its emphasis on privacy with the open-planned character of Western design posed an even greater challenge for the team. Hence we created a hybrid by using the courtyard as a space that divides the two halves, whilst keeping them connected.

The interior design celebrates its engineering: we leave the timber walls visible and tactile where possible, and enjoy the aesthetic of revealed services runs and some of our high-tech energy-saving solutions; the HVAC runs above the kitchen, the recycled waste brick wall; the water conservation in the bathroom.

Windows can open, enabling users to decide to welcome in an evening breeze when suitable and to pull hot air from high levels through the house.

Website

To ensure smooth and efficient management of our construction process, we built our own bespoke web-based tracking systems; our talented developers coded internal tools from scratch that allowed us to work smarter.

https://panel.esteem.house

QR code stickers were placed on each panel and scanning them would take you directly to that panel’s page. Members could track and monitor the condition of panels to ensure all knowledge was up to date and centralised. Moreover, the intelligent system aids communication with working with the often-unfamiliar material and/or building methodology.

We also re-made our website from the ground up to be faster and more aligned to the ESTEEM brand. Using React, we’ve built a modular and component-based foundation that allows us to more easily expand upon as things change.

Minecraft

What started as a crazy idea, quickly evolved into reality as we took on new members to help create an experience of our house unlike any other. We recreated our house in our own Minecraft world, making it accessible to everyone.

It took around 3 months of working out the dimensions – we wanted to make it realistic, but not compromise on the feel – and retexturing the Minecraft assets, pixel by pixel, to show the actual materials that we will be using.

AR/VR

With the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing travel restrictions, we used augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) to bring the ESTEEM House and its experience to everyone around the world. It is a means to showcase and describe the story behind our innovative ideas and solutions to visitors of the house in an engaging and educational way.

To make the experience of using the AR experience seamless, we hosted it on Zappar which eliminated the need for users to download an app before use.

Our creative solution to make VR accessible is to use Mozilla Hubs. It’s web-based and allows several visitors to communicate and discuss amongst themselves during a virtual tour given by a tour guide.

It supports VR headsets but doesn’t require one.

For visitors who meet us in person, we use the Oculus Quest to showcase the VR experience.These technologies are instrumental in preserving the hard work that we’ve put into the ESTEEM House, especially to showcase areas that aren’t immediately visible.

These experiences will still be accessible even after the competition is over.

JAIRIS ALVARES

TEAM ESTEEM is the Heriot-Watt Edinburgh Team participating at the Solar-Decathlon Middle East

#SDME2021

We will design a home that adapts to your needs.

“Pride in where, and how, we live”