Edinburgh trio among final four in Saltcoats housing contest

A trio of Edinburgh-based practices has been named on the four-strong shortlist battling it out in the RIAS' Saltcoats competition.

Elizabeth Roxburgh Architects, Cre8 Architecture and Joseph Thurrott Architects have all made it through to the final cut in the rare open contest to design a 'landmark' housing scheme, overlooking the seafront at Ardossan, in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire.

The only contender not from the Scottish capital is Glasgow's The Holmes Partnership.

Sponsored by the Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and local building company and site owner McLaughlin Construction, the competition was unveiled in October and attracted nearly 50 entries from around the UK.

Architects were asked to come up with a building design that will receive 'widespread acclaim for quality', boast 'high levels of environmental sustainability' and 'show that creative and innovative design can be provided without compromising cost parameters'.

Speaking at the launch of the competition, William Wood, director of client services at the RIAS, said: 'This is the first design competition of its type where we have worked with a local regeneration company and construction company to produce a compelling landmark design for an apartment block.'
A winner is expected to be announced later this month.