PART TWO

Stirling Developments are a design driven

development company. We have the architectural
and design skills that enable us to transform
ideas and principles into illustrations and
finalised plans for the masterplan.

We have produced a masterplan which has

followed a journey, informed by events and
people BUT always guided by the spirit of
the place that will become “Calderwood”.

PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (p.114)
NEIGHBOURHOODS (p.132)
COMMUNITY (p.166)

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278

Our quest to discover and design Calderwood has followed a journey led by the spirit of the land.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 113

 PART TWO

279

MASTERPLAN

280 281

114
 In many ways the approach adopted
to produce Calderwood’s masterplan
has been rather unorthodox.
In most cases a developer will appoint a It felt right to involve many people, consider
single architectural practice or a specific firm different ideas and philosophies. I began to
who encompass a variety of ‘one stop shop’ meet people whose approach to design and
functions, to create a masterplan and design place-making chimed with my own. The project
strategy for the project. This usually produces team I assembled includes many architects and
a relatively streamlined, efficiently structured designers from the UK and Scandinavia, who
process that can be budgeted in terms of collectively brought a wealth of knowledge and
timescales and costs. The scope of work is experience to the project. Our team meetings
agreed at an early stage and is progressed have been dynamic and passionate, generating
following an orthodox path, ticking all the many ideas and concepts to be explored and
expected procedural boxes until reaching a debated. Ultimately however, I had the tough
forecasted and often predictable conclusion. task and responsibility of deciding what concepts
and strategies were appropriate for Calderwood

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

As I spent time on-site I came to understand and the evolving masterplan.
just how special it was. I felt Calderwood
deserved a unique approach, a process which This approach to the masterplan, which also
would not be predictable. Where the results encompassed expanded design workshops,
would be ‘found’ in the journey of the project. competitions and extensive consultation,
A journey that would entail unexpected has amounted to a rhapsody of creativity
discoveries and surprises, a jigsaw of clues and and a diversity of consideration, that would
new information, that would not be complete be difficult for a more traditional ‘streamlined’
until the last piece fitted perfectly into place. approach to match.

It is also very unusual for a projects principal

developer to be the design leader and
masterplanner but these roles have fortified me
with a real understanding and appreciation of
Calderwood’s essence and identity and an even
deeper commitment to ensure they are delivered.
279: Busy in the farmhouse 2007.
280: Peter & Duncan Whatmore sketch ideas 2007.
281: Outlining design principles to West Lothian Council
officials site tour 2008.
282: Debate and consideration at a design workshop, 2007.

282

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 115

 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

Time and flexibility.

The Calderwood project will be built out over a period
of perhaps two decades. Due to this longevity and Calderwood’s
complexity and scale, we have purposely refrained from
producing a detailed, prescriptive masterplan, which assumes
to know all the answers ahead of any development or habitation.
This is a masterplan for an outline planning Additional time also enables the emerging
application; it establishes a design guide community to participate in future design
and development framework for the project. decisions and development considerations.
We believe time and flexibility are required We would also like the opportunity to collaborate
to produce the optimum detailed plans for the with more talented designers and architects
future build out. Well considered, design and as the project evolves, as well as giving further
material briefs will be produced ahead of each consideration to emerging renewable energy
phase of development, providing a guide for technology and environmental best practices.
subsequent detailed planning applications.
A detailed masterplan showing every house
This approach offers an opportunity to at this early stage would inevitably be flawed,
assess and respond to the evolving build with imperfections constraining the future
out. When residents move into Calderwood development. We believe our Calderwood
they will bring plans to life and provide masterplan provides the ideal structure
empirical evidence and direction for the and foundations for Calderwood’s future
future development plans. development. It has sufficient flexibility
to accommodate our future detailed plans,
which will benefit from being patient and
utilising the additional time.

283

Considering masterplan configurations at Nethershiel farmhouse, 2006.

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284

Calderwood’s timeless beauty.

285

Peter’s evolving Calderwood sketches.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 117

 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

Let the site speak.

The Calderwood masterplan has been underpinned by a
comprehensive understanding of the site and its context.
Stirling Development’s felt it was important To underscore our efforts to create a union and
to host most design meetings on-site. Being affinity with the land, Stirling Development’s
on-site provides a real perspective and clarity invited members of the design team to join
for proposals and ideas. When considering us for a camp out on Calderwood’s farmland
details of the masterplan nothing beats the by the edge of the Country Park. Our reward
ability to stand in the intended location and was a magical full moon and a camp fire with
ask “does this really work?” The site inevitably lots of story-telling and singing. Around
provides the answer. I’ve endeavoured to ensure midnight some of us lay down in of one of
every line drawn on the masterplan has been the big fields and gazed up at the majestic
scrutinised on-site and validated for its capacity star filled sky. As we marvelled at the beauty
to respond to its location and the ambitions and serenity of our planet there was an over
for the project. whelming sense of responsibility to create
a masterplan and development that would
We invested a lot of time walking over, do this enchanting site justice.
exploring and studying the site. We were
able to discover desire lines, consider contours,
sketch ideas, take photos and absorb the rhythm
of the landscape. We observed the seasonal
transformations and how the masterplan could
support and celebrate these contrasting climatic
events. Devoting time on-site nurtured a tangible
feeling and appreciation for what was appropriate
for the masterplan.

286, 287: Calderwood camp out 2006.

288: Project team exploring the High School site at Raw Holdings 2007.
289: Understanding the grain of the land 2006.
290: David Sim studies Calderwood’s landscape framework 2007.
291: Neil Beswick sketching out ideas 2008.
292: Peter, Lisa MacKenzie and David Sim walking the site 2007.

287

286 288

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289

291

290 292

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 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

EVOLUTION OF THE
CALDERWOOD MASTERPLAN

293 294

Farrell concept masterplan 2003, illustrating how Calderwood could be incorporated within Concept masterplan, considering more prominent, integrated connections with the Country Park,
the local context. Peter Stirling 2004.

295 296 297 298

Sir Terry Farrell 2003. Jim Gehl, Calderwood 2006. Design Team considers the masterplan 2006. Peter Stirling presenting
at a design workshop 2006.

299 300 301

Draft masterplan Peter Stirling 2006. David Sim conceptual ideas 2006. The “Fish Tail” exploring development areas David Sim 2006.

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302 303

Illustration showing urban form by Duncan Whatmore 2005. Starting again, back to basics – key features concept
sketch Peter Stirling 2006.

304 305 306 307

Klas Tham design workshop 2006. Neil Beswick, Carol Notman and Peter 2008. Clive Docwra, Duncan Whatmore, David Sim, Ian Drummond 2008.
Lisa MacKenzie, Calderwood 2007.

308 309

Considering development blocks David Sim 2007. Saliant landscape features Lisa MacKenzie 2007.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 121

 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

EVOLUTION OF THE
CALDERWOOD MASTERPLAN

310 311

Whatmore/Stirling Developments draft masterplan 2007. Concept landscape masterplan, Lisa MacKenzie 2007.

312

Painted draft masterplan, Peter Stirling 2007.

122
 313

Duncan Whatmore & Lisa MacKenzie Hidcote gardens 2007.

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314

Neil Beswick, Stirling Developments office 2009.

318

Scaled draft masterplan, incorporating site topographical survey, Peter Stirling 2007.

319

315

Ian Drummond and West Lothian Officials, 2008.

316

Peter, design workshop 2006.

317

Neil Beswick, Peter and Ian Drummond, Calderwood 2008. Draft landscape masterplan, Lisa MacKenzie 2008.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 123

 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

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320

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 125

 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

Our masterplan for Calderwood provides the strategic

framework for the landscape, the transportation networks
and the development blocks and associated the infrastructure.
While we have avoided producing a plan that The development blocks were shaped by the
details the location of each house, we have site’s topography, key landscape features and
endeavoured to ensure the development’s future the Calderwood design principles. Resulting
micro detail can be successfully incorporated in each block having a compatibility with
and delivered within our masterplan framework. the existing landscape while at the same time
offering the maximum configuration options
To achieve this we have analysed the potential in the future detailed design process.
future detail of the masterplan’s entire
composition. This has led to the fragmentation
of the masterplan into neighbourhoods and
the development blocks contained within them.

321

Calderwood Neighbourhood Plan.

126
 322 323

Calderwood Development Block identification plan. Density check, Duncan Whatmore.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

Each development block at Calderwood
has been individually catalogued to confirm
its area and given a provisional allocation
of houses, providing confirmation that the
masterplan can deliver the number of houses
allocated to Calderwood in West Lothian
Council’s Local Plan.

The series of illustrations by Klas Tham

(324, 325, 326), show progressive detail
evolving as the development areas are scrutinised.

The design process advanced to the consideration

of streets and some house types, as shown in this 324
“Colonies” inspired sketch by Peter below (327).

325 326

327

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 PART TWO
MASTERPLAN (continued)

While analysing the potential detail of the development areas,

we visualised walking around these places and asked ourselves
“what would make the characteristics of this neighbourhood
special and why would someone choose to live here?”
Residential layouts and movement strategies Calderwood’s masterplan aims to provide
have been considered to ensure good enough flexibility to allow architects the scope
functionality and connectivity. We’ve explored to design the optimum future detailed plans
orientations, how people will use public and for the build out, while also establishing
private spaces and how they will move around a robust framework and lasting foundation
their neighbourhood and the wider area. for the project.

The hierarchy of streets and roads have been Through 3D modelling we have considered
identified, as well as how to effectively deal and experimented with potential design
with recycling, waste and future maintenance. configurations of certain development blocks
The development framework allows for a in greater detail.
variety of future layout configurations, for
example streets have a choice of directions in
which to run and can accommodate different
housing typologies from terraces to more
irregular, organic arrangements. Images both pages; Development Block explorations,
Stirling Developments, 2008/2009.

328 329

Block 3 of Catherwood is an interesting shape

and initially we experimented with terrace
330 housing above, before gravitating to a more
integrated, less formal arrangement below.

331

128
 Block 3 Catherwood

332

In block 3 of Catherwood the 3D model, 333

above, shows some changes to the sketched
illustration (right). The illustration focused
on a south-facing orientation for the houses.
However after creating the model the priority

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

was changed to orientate the front-facing
elevations towards public areas, allowing the
most attractive elevations to be more readily
visible. Whilst meaning an east-west sun for
some houses the attractiveness of the block
was enhanced. The block’s communal recycling
facility was also moved to the entrance to be
more convenient for residents.

334

Blocks 11, 12, 16 & 18 Meadow Wood.

335
These blocks are are grouped around three
converging greenways emanating from
the meadow edge and the Country Park.
Our concept plans for this development area
have tried to illustrate a layout that engages
sympathetically with these surroundings.

336 337

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 129

 THE TEAM

338 339

NEIL BESWICK
ARCHITECT, STIRLING DEVELOPMENTS

When i was asked to join the team at Stirling Developments These skills have recently been put to use in renovating
I jumped at the chance. Very few designers have the my own home in Fife, a stone built end terrace in the
opportunity to work on such a unique project. I’m looking conservation village of Limekilns. The influence of this
forward to drawing on my previous experiences working traditional village setting, where I can call on my immediate
on a huge range of projects from small cafes & houses, neighbours for a favour or have a chat at the post office
artists studios & theatres right up to multi-million pound while picking up daily supplies, has been great. Small
schools and playing my part in bringing the vision of conjoined houses built with a simple palette of materials
Calderwood to life. form edges to narrow, quiet streets and gardens spill over
boundary walls & hedges to soften & add colour – I hope
There is a huge responsibility on us to ensure that the to draw on these elements to enrich our developments.
development lives up to expectations – I’m confident that
we can not only achieve this goal, but set a new benchmark I’m passionate about good quality design, especially where
for contemporary Scottish settlements in the process. it is almost unseen – when people are aware that a place
works well, but can’t quite identify why... it just feels right.
Shortly after becoming chartered architects, my wife & Calderwood will not be a place dominated by a few showy
I spent the best part of a year traveling Australasia & Asia. ‘signature’ buildings in a sea of bland, identikit houses;
We were curious to see how the rest of the world lives and rather an interesting series of interconnected spaces which
our eyes were opened to fresh design ideas. We were able to will allow quiet reflection or busy social congregations.
visit some of the worlds greatest architecture, from ancient Our buildings will enhance & enliven these public areas in
step wells & temples to contemporary works such as the a quiet, considered manner which will not only be respectful
modernist Indian city of Chandigarh & the Sarabhai House of local built forms & traditions, but will look forwards &
by Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn’s wonderfully cool Indian provide a sustainable canvas upon which future generations
Institute of Management and Jorn Utzon’s Opera House. can paint their lives.

Six weeks after the tsunami, we spent some time helping

to rebuild the devastated island of Ko Phi Phi in Thailand,
which was both humbling yet uplifting. I learned simple
building techniques and how important it can be to make
design decisions quickly & efficiently.

130
 “Hello, I’m Sigrid Pilcher, I was
born and grew up in South Tyrol
in the north of Italy, a region where
two cultures – the German and the
340
Italian – meet.”
Calderwood DVD co-editor

For about 30 years I almost unconsciously enjoyed all of In 2007, when Peter Stirling announced the Calderwood
the privileges that the beautiful Dolomite landscape of the student competition, I had joined the undergraduate
region has to offer. Reading a novel, where a garden plays landscape architecture programme at the Edinburgh College
a main role in the wellbeing of the characters, and attending of Art. Peter’s enthusiastic talk, plus his commitment and
an inspiring talk by the Swiss landscape architect Guenther vision for Calderwood made a very strong impression on
Vogt, were experiences which marked a major turning point the students. Attending one of the masterplan workshops
in my life. I decided to quit my commercial occupation and the editing of the video footage of the different events
and moved to Vienna, Austria, where I started to study gave me the extraordinary opportunity to learn from the
Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture. high-profile team working on this project.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

I am particularly interested in urban design, especially in A great source of inspiration to me in particular has
the social aspects of public space. Creating exciting and been the editing of Peter’s video diary documenting the
engaging public open spaces which hold aspects of surprise, masterplanning process. His diary was an example of
therefore inducing challenge and stimulation for people, is uncompromising engagement and meticulous attention
of special curiosity for me. I also have a passion for moving to the smallest detail. As a future landscape architect I am
images in all forms – film, video and animation. In fact, obviously thrilled by the emphasis on and consideration
I am currently writing my dissertation on the potential of the landscape in this urban development. And, thanks
of moving images as tools in landscape architecture. to Peter’s enthusiasm and aspiration to deliver an exceptional
development and the commitment of his team I believe that
Calderwood has the potential to become an outstanding
example for a contemporary urban development, a beautiful
and unique place for living and working.

“Hi there, I’m Andrew Carrie.

I’ve been a traffic engineer for 30 years.”
For the last 25 years I have lived within four In addition to carrying out traffic counts at all
miles of East Calder, which gives me a genuine junctions, we created a Paramics model, which is
understanding the local transportation issues. a “live” computerised road network plan, showing
I work for an engineering company called DBA traffic movement at any time of the day, the
and prior to that I worked for Lothian Regional calibration of which is approved by the Council.
Council and was a roads engineer for the East The model allows us to see rush hour traffic
Calder and A71 area. building up at junctions, as well as the effect of
weekends and holidays. All of our proposed new
Transportation is always a sensitive issue for junctions and traffic management systems have
341 new developments to mitigate. I can fully been tested successfully using this system.
appreciate that the residents of East Calder
Calderwood Traffic engineer do not wish to have their village life spoiled I’ve often taken our Paramics model to
by an intrusion of additional traffic from the Calderwood consultations to help explain
Calderwood development. Ensuring this does Our movement strategy. Calderwood is a well
not happen, while at same time creating good placed to be a good transportation exemplar
links between the villages is at the heart of our and I’m looking forward to getting on my bike
movement strategy. and cycling round it one day!

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 PART TWO

The new community at Calderwood will

encompass 14 residential neighbourhoods.
Research has identified people feel more comfortable
making social connections in smaller communities or
neighbourhoods. Generally the more intimate the area,
the stronger the connections, the ultimate being a family
sharing a house. Good place-making is often about
providing an appropriate “human-scale” to places.
A socially connected neighbourhood has Their size and location have been informed
an abiding sense of security and safety which by the salient features of the landscape. Each
leads to many shared benefits for residents. neighbourhood will be distinctive in identity,
character and ambience. Whilst engendering
Calderwood is a large development and it more pronounced responses to localised features,
can never be allowed to morph into a single each neighbourhood’s architecture will have
sprawling housing estate. In order to prevent a compatibility that will always resonate with
this we have created a series of neighbourhoods the holistic identity of Calderwood.
and smaller communities across the development.
In this section we have created an initial
profile for each neighbourhood summarising
their core features. However, in due course
comprehensive design briefs will provide
greater clarity and detail for the design
parameters of each neighbourhood and
how these should be addressed in detailed
NEIGHBOURHOODS planning applications.

342

Streets built to a ‘human scale’ Valbonne, France.

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343

343: Socialising in the Village square, Valbonne, France.

345: Human scale streets Ludlow, England.

344 345

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 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

The Almondell neighbourhood borders the

Country Park, along the north western edge of
the development. This union invites a dialogue
and interaction between the architecture of the
neighbourhood and the environment of the
Country Park.

AREA (HA): 12
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 3+4

ALMONDELL

346

Housing will endeavour to have a compatibility with the Country Park, through sympathetic materials and designs.
Over-looking the meadow edge, they will also provide added interest and security for pedestrians and cyclists.

134
 Almondell shall respond to the existing woodland and
the proposed meadow edge by creating a new public
realm that encourages nature to intervene and manifest.
Prioritising outdoor spaces such as balconies, The architecture will frame vistas and views
terraces and gardens will allow buildings of the woodland edge and the landscape will
and residents to engage with the surrounding incorporate trails and an assortment of spaces
environment. Habitat and plantings will also to encourage pedestrian exploration.
extend out from the Country Park into and
through the neighbourhood, via a network At the centre of the neighbourhood is an area
of greenways and parks. of elevated topography, a small hill which could
be enlarged to create an interesting landform
with views over Calderwood and to the
landscape beyond.

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347

The boundary treatment will promote

a sensitive transition between the built
environment and Country Park.

348

Natural materials will be selected to respond to the neighbouring woodland.

349 350 351

Nature is encouraged to manifest in the Almondell neighbourhood plans.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 135

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

The main entrance and gateway to Calderwood

will run through the Catherwood neighbourhood.
This principal thoroughfare will endeavour
to create a sense of drama for what lies ahead.

AREA (HA): 11.5

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 20-40
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 5

CATHERWOOD
“Catherwood” is derived from “Cather” the 12th
Century name for “Calder”, meaning “oak stream”,
(a time when the local area was heavily wooded)
and a popular 16th Century Locally known poem;

Cather Wood was fair to see,

When it went up to Camel Tree,
Cather Wood was fairer still,
When it went up to Corset Hill.

352

Suggested street dimensions for Catherwood Avenue.

136
 The journey along Calderwood’s principal avenue
should be a memorable experience.
The route will be interspersed with “event” The architecture of Catherwood will consist
junctions, which will be landscaped and of larger, detached villas lining the main route,
designed to illustrate Calderwood’s creative reflecting the importance and scale of this
approach to design. principal street.

Plantings in the avenue will aim to showcase This will give way to more informal, intimate
the range and seasonality of Calderwood’s residential neighbourhoods behind the avenue.
natural habitat, while at the same time The layout of these areas will vary from mews
diffusing and softening the impact of and terraces to irregular neighbourhood clusters
vehicles parked and travelling along it. of housing. The Catherwood neighbourhood
will be linked by pedestrian greenways leading
to Calderwood’s key destinations, creating
permeability and providing residents with
good alternatives to journeys by car.

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353 354

Indicative layout of a Catherwood development block. People friendly residential streets.

355

Key design considerations in development block 3 at Catherwood.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 137

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Cottage Field provides an opportunity to create

a compact, high density, terraced residential
neighbourhood, inspired by Edinburgh’s
famous “Colonies”. There will be a range
of competitively priced homes set within
people friendly, garden streets.

AREA (HA): 3.8

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 50-70
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 4+5

COTTAGE
FIELD
356

Living in an upper flat in Edinburgh’s Colonies in 2007, Peter gained a first

hand appreciation of the living environment that this design encouraged.

357

Cottage Field’s terraced, “Garden Streets” helping to foster an integrated, friendly community.

138
 Located close to Calderwood’s community hub, this
neighbourhood will have good access to all primary
facilities, reducing the need to make journeys by car.
“Cottage Field” is the name of the field Cottage Field will be will be a 21st century
at Overshiel Farm where this neighbourhood translation of the colonies model. Housing
is located. design will optimise internal living space,
maximising the habitable foot print of each
Within Cottage Field the “closeness” of house. Outdoor design patterns will help
the Colonies architecture will be retained. create a friendly community spirit providing
The compactness of the neighbourhood the residents with further opportunities to
will help promote good integration amongst participate in the neighbourhood environment
residents, with potential for shared resources through balconies and small rooftop gardens.
and neighbourhood-wide environmental
initiatives. Cottage Field’s streets and nearby Designs will focus on optimising the private
greenways will be a safe place to play and and public spaces as well as how best to
socialise, they will feel like an extension accommodate modern parking requirements.
of the gardens.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

Proposed Cottage Field block 1 configuration
showing surrounding roads and greenways.

358

359

Suggested street dimensions at Cottage Field.

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 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Located along the historic Drovers Road, this

neighbourhood will form the “spine” of Calderwood
and feature a 21st century “echo” of the beautiful
19th century Country Park.

AREA (HA): 7.3

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-45
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3-4
PHASE: 3+4

DROVERS
WALK 360

Some of Calderwood’s most contemporary architecture

will feature in the Drovers Walk.

The Drovers Walk will be the principal

pedestrian route to most Calderwood
destinations, encompassing amenity
areas, shops and bespoke architecture.
361

140
 Drovers Walk is a central promenade that will
be punctuated by attractive landscape, amenity
areas and stimulating architecture.
Architectural inspiration has been drawn The new “echo” linking the Country Park
from Amsterdam’s Borneo Sporenburg through the centre of the new community will
development. A new terrace of three and four be the primary feature of the Drovers Walk
storey, contemporary town houses will over neighbourhood. The Walk will follow a new
look the Walk from the north. Each house landscaped water course which will be part of
will be bespoke and individually designed. a series of varied outdoor spaces and amenity
The southern area of the neighbourhood areas that will aim to provide a contemporary
shall feature a housing style that has more alternative to the Country Park. Every effort
irregular, organic compositions. will be made to ensure the Walk becomes
a popular place for the new community
In order to ensure the Walk becomes a popular to meet and interact.
well used public space the masterplan has
provided opportunities for many attractions
and activities to be located along the promenade

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

to help “pull” people along this route. Some
buildings will be designed to have flexibility
of use on the ground floor, with the intention
of attracting retailers and businesses, adding
to the dynamics and vitality of this area.

The view across the Drovers Walk

from one of the town houses.

363

Drovers Walk, integrated with the Country Park and the Village Centre.

362

364

A transect of the Drovers Walk neighbourhood.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 141

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

The Limekilns neighbourhood enjoys

commanding panoramic views across
Calderwood and the landscape beyond.

AREA (HA): 9
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 2+3

LIMEKILNS 365

366 Good walking and cycling routes

are provided to the Village Centre.

142
 The architecture will be orientated to optimise
long range views, while being conscious of its
own elevated position on the sky line.
Structured landscaping will help provide relief With some capacity for higher density housing
for the built environment as well as establishing the residential streets at Limekilns will create
a network of green pedestrian trails connecting a framework that can accommodate a diversity
to other neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood of layouts that optimise views and create an
borders an existing hamlet of small holdings, assortment of communal spaces. Limekiln’s
which is home to some historic limekilns. housing will endeavour to find a harmony with
These buildings and their contained landscape the neighbouring, traditional, local architecture
setting will be preserved, maintaining the and materials will be considered to ensure they
identity and character of this existing area. have a compatibility with this local context.

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369

367

368

The nearby historic limekilns. Higher density housing surrounding communal landscaped spaces.

370

The southern edge of Limekilns will integrate sensitively with the preserved landscape areas around the historic limekilns.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 143

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

‘Little Shiel’ is located on the south western

fringe of Calderwood and was the original
name given to an historic hamlet established
here some 200 years ago.

AREA (HA): 7.8

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 1+3

LITTLE
SHIEL
371

372

Little Shiel’s more contemporary architecture will be softened through the use of natural materials.

144
 By definition a ‘Little Shiel’ is a rural retreat,
a place of contemplation and recreation
or a simple rural dwelling house or “Bothy”.
The masterplan will try to resurrect the spirit All of the buildings will be set within a landscape
of this historic hamlet to create a neighbourhood framework and materials and plantings will
that displays some of these characteristics but aim to soften the presence of buildings, creating
in a manner adapted to meet the demands a welcoming, intimate environment.
of the 21st century.
Some of Little Shiel’s public open spaces
The neighbourhood’s housing will incorporate will incorporate creatively designed ‘rooms’
a blend of contemporary architecture alongside of landscape providing places for retreat and
more traditional homes. House designs will be contemplation synonymous with the areas
influenced by Calderwood’s barn typology and historic connections.
will tend to be arranged in groupings and clusters.

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373 374

Barn influenced house designs on Little Shiel’s soft streets.

375

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 145

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Shaped and contained by the Country Park’s

woodland edge, Meadow Wood has a beautiful,
atmospheric setting and has all the attributes
to be an idyllic place to live.

AREA (HA): 14
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 1+4

MEADOW WOOD

376

Conceptual designs for a development block at Meadow Wood.

146
 This neighbourhood will prioritise woodland
views, with housing generally feathering out
to lower densities towards the woodland edge.
The architecture shall attempt to establish a The meadow will encompass varied landscape
unity with this environment, with an emphasis features, including a series of mini public parks
on sympathetic build forms and natural that provide focal points upon which a network
materials. A more diffused, gentler built of greenways and nature corridors converge.
environment in Meadow Wood will help
create a harmonious environment for both Meadow Wood could be the first
nature and the residents. neighbourhood to be developed, offering
convenient initial access to existing local
The landscape will be a key characteristic schools and facilities in East Calder until
and the boundary with Country Park will Calderwood’s become more established.
be celebrated through the creation of a new
meadow running along its border. This new
landscape feature will incorporate a mixture
of indigenous wildflowers and diverse habitats,

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

allowing nature to thrive and providing
an endearing place for people.

377

Meadow Wood’s housing will attempt to find a harmony with the surrounding landscape.

378

379

Indicative housing layout at Meadow Wood.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 147

 THE TEAM

380 381

WAYNE &
GERARDINE HEMINGWAY
DESIGNERS

Looking back at the environments that Gerardine and This means creating green open spaces for kids to play
I were brought up in, in North East Lancashire, it’s not in (and for us dads to have a kick-about!), local shops and
hard to spot a solution. My family’s first home in Blackburn schools that people can walk to, and streets that encourage
was in a tower block, Queens Park Flats, we didn’t have a pedestrians and cyclists rather than just cars. It means
private garden but I had access to a wonderfully landscaped looking at landscaping and shared surfaces, and creating
park that surrounded the tower blocks. My memories are an environment that lifts the spirit the second you get off
of playing footy, cricket and ‘cardboardin’’ down steep the bus and start to approach your street. It means getting
man-made mini hills. Meanwhile my wife’s family’s workers the right mixture of tenure and house types, and offering
terrace in Padiham had a tiny back yard that opened a distinct character that gives an area its own identity.
on to the communal “reccy” where today the community It simply means building places, spaces and homes that
still play, celebrate birthdays and sunbathe on leap years excite, places that people cherish and love and can’t wait
when it’s hot! to get home to.

It’s all common sense really but that hasn’t stopped When we first started criticising the housing industry
developers and councils forgetting about the importance in the late 90’s we were having a go at the state of British
of “free range kids” with access to stimulating play residential developments; ugly identikit two-story housing
opportunities being able to enjoy the outdoors and live that were creating permanent blots up and down Britain
in harmony with us older ones who might just like to go and ignoring all the principles of community infrastructure.
for a walk. Is it any wonder that Britain has such high levels
of clinical obesity (8.5 million and counting) when we are
designing environments that encourage a sedentary lifestyle.
We can’t keep laying the blame at the door of education and
parenting. Public space and where we live have a significant
role to play. So in every design meeting for Calderwood
we have put the outdoor environment right at the forefront
of our thinking.

148
“We are not going to go on about how
wonderful Calderwood is as a place to
put down some roots, the rest of this
document does that adequately. But
we will tell you about what Gerardine
and I have learnt in the last eight years
spent persuading and cajoling developers
into putting effort into creating ‘places’
rather than just houses.”

382

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

We then toured the world and found dozens of well- We stick with projects and we will stick with Calderwood.
designed, reasonably dense housing developments from As Calderwood develops we wont stop walking and cycling
Kronsberg in Germany, to Malmo and Hammerby in around the site, ensuring that our decisions were correct,
Sweden, to Leidsche Rijn in Holland, to Perth in Australia. checking that things are bedding in well, that the new
Are we so different in the UK that we can’t live like our landscape is becoming magnificently verdant and most
European neighbours? Can’t we enjoy small back gardens importantly listening to the new community. We will
with gates that can be left open onto shared gardens with be there to spot the inevitable improvements that can
the opportunity to use a communal barbecue or even take be made, great places evolve and great design requires
part in a bit of community veg growing? Can we survive constant tweaking.
by squeezing our cars into tight spaces? Can we survive
without drives for our cars directly in front of our houses In a way there are activists at the heart of Calderwood’s
in order to release space for streets in which to walk, vision but our thinking is not dangerous. Its putting
cycle and play? Of course we can, we have just allowed compassion for life at the forefront of what actually
an industry to strip away some of our simple pleasures. is one of the most important thing we ever do,
choosing somewhere to live. Rest assured this is a team
There has to be an acceptance that we are not all the same at Calderwood that is putting people, “place-making”
and that there is a new dynamic. But often in the UK, and “liveability” right at the forefront of our thinking,
even where there is space for what many kids like to do, planning and delivery.
play football, we stick “no ball game” signs up and force
them inside to watch the idiot box or play on bloody game In our own small way we will make sure that all our
consoles. When they are old enough to drink we have developments are serendipitous, that senses are stimulated.
stopped them having a social beer in a park whilst playing We will work hard on ensuring that streetscapes provide
some informal sport and coerced them into boring pubs harmonious colour schemes where the flora “clashes” and
where there is precious little to do rather than get plastered. “compliments” with the colour of the render, where the
purity of material is broken… tastefully!!
It seems that we are designing out all the youth freedom
that my generation grew up with. At Calderwood we We won’t plan for the worst elements of society and we
will be challenging the “risk aversity” disease that results will give people the chance to experience the unexpected.
in boring play areas consisting of a few bloody spring We wont pander to the mantra that your car should be
chickens. We will question anyone who says we cant use right outside your house or in full view from your front
untreated timber or fallen trees for kids to play on for fear window, nor to the belief that everyone must have a wheelie
of splinters or a scraped knee or two… diddums! Children bin outside their front door, when we understand an
need to learn about risk and we must learn to avoid going inquisitive human beings desire for chance encounters...
further down this “risk averse” cul de sac. you never know you might meet your future partner
on the way to the recycling store.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 149

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Nethershiel is intended to be built in one of

Calderwood’s early development phases with the
farm steadings providing an immediate identity
and sense of place for this neighbourhood.

AREA (HA): 8.5

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 30-40
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3-4
PHASE: 2+3

NETHERSHIEL

383

Architecture at Nethershiel will be influenced by the neighbourhoods farming heritage.

150
 Nethershiel represents an ideal opportunity
to establish Calderwood’s “barn” vernacular.
The close proximity of the Country Park’s In addition, Nethershiel shall also provide
woodland edge will be celebrated to highlight opportunities for the establishment of retail,
Calderwood’s close relationship with nature. commercial and arts and crafts businesses.
The provision of attractive allotments shall
help reinforce the country life environment The architecture will respond to the farm
and acknowledge the neighbourhood’s farming vernacular and showcase a range of courtyard
heritage. The landscape shall attempt to reflect and mews formats. Various expressions of
this by creating a series of spaces that can the barn typology will prevail throughout
generate a kaleidoscope of seasonal colours. this neighbourhood.

The farm’s attractive courtyard buildings Due to Nethershiel’s location, on one of

could be converted to accommodate mixed Calderwood’s key routes, there will be scope for
use development. some feature buildings to mark the termination
of this prominent route and the transition into
the Country Park.
Designs inspired by Nethershiel’s farm steadings.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

384

385 386
Design for a mixed use building utilising an existing courtyard at Nethershiel.

387

384, 387: The barn typology provides scope for creatively designed house types which retain a compatibility with their rural setting. / 386: The fun of home grown produce.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 151

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

By it’s very name “The Orchards” articulates the

setting this neighbourhood will enjoy. The landscape
shall provide it’s underlying identity with a series
of orchards and attractively designed allotments,
productively utilising the land as a resource for
growing fresh produce.

AREA (HA): 13.5

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 5+6

THE ORCHARDS

388

The Orchards will provide a

colourful, species-rich environment
for the neighbourhood.

389 390 391

152
 The landscape design for the Orchards will have
a capacity for multi-layering, with tree canopies
descending to ground level planting.
This will provide contrasting colours and The Orchards will provide a pedestrian gateway
textures as well as dual purpose activities such from Camps industrial estate to the village
as apple picking above and sheep grazing below. centre. This will provide employees who are
The grazing of the orchards could become an living at Calderwood with a scenic, direct
annual seasonal event that is looked forward walking route to work.
to by children and residents.
The Orchards will also be home to a primary
The architecture shall be designed to provide school and associated community facilities and
opportunities for nature to inhabit and flourish shops, becoming an important community
across the built environment whether it be in hub for the south western neighbourhoods
individual gardens, window boxes or in the of Calderwood.
neighbourhoods landscaped residential squares.
Housing will be sympathetic and complementary
to the open spaces they overlook.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

392 393

394

A A The Orchards will be an interactive

landscape amenity that can be
enjoyed and used by both residents
and visitors.

395

A A

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 153

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Located around the existing farm buildings,

Overshiel will accommodate opportunities
for businesses, reflecting the farm’s previous
diversity of small enterprises.

AREA (HA): 10
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 30-40
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3-4
PHASE: 4+5

OVERSHIEL

396

Proposals for a mixed use

courtyard at Overshiel.

154
 The architecture will be designed to promote
a sense of unity, collaboration and enterprise.
Designs will reference the neighbourhood’s Opportunities for live-work house types will be
agricultural vernacular of courtyards, clusters encouraged here and where possible buildings
and massing, by incorporating these structures will be designed to have potential for future
and spaces into residential and mixed use areas. adaptability and a flexibility of use.

Buildings and materials should attempt to Landscaping and plantings will respond to
balance Overshiel’s agricultural heritage with the clustered nature of this neighbourhood,
enterprise and innovation, creating opportunities and its farming influence, providing scenic
for the design to explore some interesting spaces and plantings that announce the arrival
combinations of colours, forms and textures. of each of the new climatic seasons.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

397

Live-work house designs

for Overshiel.

398

399

400 401

Overshiel’s design and layout will promote opportunities for enterprise.

402

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 155

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

The landscape’s most prominent valley falls

northwards from the village square to the
Country Park connecting these spaces through
Calderwood’s main public park.

AREA (HA): 11
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 6+7

VALLEY PARK

403

Looking across Valley Park’s water course towards

the homes which will over-look the parkland.

156
 Being close to the village centre, Valley Park will
have the capacity to host community events such
as gala days and festivals.
The public park will be designed to Valley Park’s architecture shall be informed
accommodate a range of community by the sloping topography and public space.
activities such as; football, play facilities for Homes will attempt to illustrate both beauty
children, open spaces for gala days and smaller, and ingenuity, becoming organic extensions
peaceful spaces for relaxing, sunbathing or of the landscape, overlooking the surrounding
contemplation. The landscape maybe sculptured public spaces.
to form sheltered, sunny dwelling spaces.

Central to the village park will be a waterway,

comprising of a series of connected ponds
and pools allowing water to descend down
towards the Country Park’s River Almond.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

404

405

The Public Park provides another strong connection to the Country Park and offers
a range of amenities and experiences.

406

407 408

Princes Street Gardens 2007.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 157

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

Located on Calderwood’s principal cross roads,

the Village Centre is centrally located and is
within walking and cycling distance of each
of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

AREA (HA): 6.7

DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 40-50
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 3-4-5
PHASE: 4+6

VILLAGE CENTRE

409

410

158
 Most traditional Scottish towns and villages
tend to have a linear high street.
This has usually evolved along a historic In our opinion, a linear high street at
transportation route, which becomes inhabited Calderwood would reduce the vitality of
at a crossroads or a favourable location for the Village Centre, by having its core facilities
trading. Over time settlements have expanded stretched out, leading to a dissipation of energy
along these principal thoroughfares with a through a lower concentration of people
mixture of residences, businesses and facilities and activities.
creating the “high street”.
Considering the scale and market village
However, simply adopting a traditional characteristics of Calderwood, we believe
approach would not necessarily provide the new community will be best served by a
the best design solution for Calderwood. concentrated centre, in the form of a village
By its very nature a traditional high street square. One that can be specifically orientated
is principally a transportation route that and designed to attract people and businesses
tends to be long, with shops and facilities and whose principal function is not to serve
often dispersed over a long distance. as a transportation route.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

In addition the masterplan provides
opportunities for small, satellite local centres
in other parts of the settlement, providing
residents with convenient access to facilities
and shops.

411

412

413

414

A concentrated,
bustling village centre.

415 416

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 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

We intend to build a central village square at

Calderwood. People attract people, who attract
businesses and we believe a compact, vibrant
atmospheric centre will be a more popular,
successful environment for both the community
and businesses.
417: Edinburgh Kiosks 2008.
418: Central Squares, Holland 2007.
419: Water will find a route through Calderwood’s Village Square.
420: Village Square Concept, Neil Beswick SDL 2009.
421: Calderwood Village Square sketch, Peter Stirling 2008.

417 418 419

VILLAGE CENTRE
420

160
 The village square will be anchored by a new primary
school, which will help support shops, businesses,
community buildings and residences.
The square shall be orientated to optimize Buildings will be multi-functional, retail,
sun and shelter, becoming an attractive place commercial and residential co-habiting
to visit and dwell. Although vehicles will together, with built-in flexibility to adapt
be permitted to travel through the square, to future needs.
providing vitality for businesses, this will
be very much a pedestrian dominated space, The landscape will highlight the formality and
becoming a hub and meeting place for civic stature of the centre while endeavouring
the community. to soften the presence of traffic. The Drovers
Walk water course will traverse through the
The school will aim to engage with the square square providing a connection and journey
providing after-school community facilities to the village park.
bringing life and activity into that side of the
square each evening. Spaces for activities and A future expansion of the centre could be
community events as well as a provision for accommodated by incorporating wynds, pends

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

markets and rentable business kiosks will help and closes, providing the connections to other
infuse the centre with energy and interest. squares and interesting spaces. Although the
masterplan has provided an indicative future
The architecture will be ambitious and layout, this is an area that requires particular
inspirational, justifying its context as the flexibility and we will endeavour to allow
heart and focal point of the community. the centre to expand in a manner best suited
Formal order should be balanced with to its future success.
innovation and creativity.

421

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 161

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

West Bonnington is located on the south east

boundary of the site, with views over Calderwood
and the arable landscape to the east.

AREA (HA): 11
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-35
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 6+7

WEST BONNINGTON
422

West Bonnington’s built environment will

endeavour to blend into the adjacent farmland.

423

162
 The neighbourhood’s architecture and landscape
will optimise the site’s views and vistas, creating
an empathy with the adjacent farmland.
In addition the neighbourhood will be West Bonnington’s layout shall incorporate
receptive and supportive of the artistic a network of greenways, interspersed with
influences emanating from the Jupiter Artland pocket parks and recreation areas, providing
at Bonnington House. Good connectivity to attractive cycling and pedestrian routes
this newly established facility will be created to the nearby primary school and localised
and the opportunity to develop positive artistic community facilities.
and educational synergies will be explored.
Structured landscaping will create an appropriate
boundary edge with the neighbouring farmland.

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

424
Detached homes and pedestrian lanes at West Bonnington.

425 426

Installations at Jupiter Artland.

427

Streetscape at West Bonnington.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 163

 PART TWO
NEIGHBOURHOODS (continued)

West Clifton is more or less surrounded by

countryside. To the north it borders the Country
Park and benefits from majestic views over the
River Almond valley.

AREA (HA): 12
DENSITY (HOUSES PER HA): 25-40
BUILDING HEIGHTS (STOREY’S): 2-3
PHASE: 7

WEST CLIFTON

428

Larger homes to the north will endeavour to provide some shelter for the rest of the neighbourhood, while still allowing vistas of the Country Park to be seen.

164
 To the east it borders farmland and to the
west Calderwood’s principal public park.
This surrounding landscape will inform Care will be taken to consider potential sky
the identity and design of West Clifton. Its line views of the neighbourhood from within
architecture shall reconcile the need for shelter the Country Park. Landscape treatments will
along the northern edge, whilst optimising provide the neighbourhood with a more definable
countryside views. House designs will seek boundary edge with the farmland to the east.
to have an affinity and compatibility with
the surrounding environment and habitat. The neighbourhood’s landscape will endeavour
to find a compatible transition from the
countryside to built environment.

429

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430

429: Conceptual housing for West Clifton. Housing types for West Clifton.
430: Louis Khan, fisher house.
431: Canal feeder, Country Park.
432: Lower Mills estate.

431 432

433

A transect study considers the relationship and sensitivity of the Country Park and the neighbourhood.

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 165

 PART TWO

One of Stirling Developments’ key aspirations

is to create the foundations for an up-lifting
environment and happy community at Calderwood.
We believe the attainment of this goal is Our masterplan hopefully provides a
perhaps the most important way of measuring framework that will stimulate community
the eventual success of the project. In order interaction and an environment and culture
to establish a community the future residents that nourishes a friendly community spirit.
must have the ability and inclination to meet, Calderwood aims to be ‘inclusive’, where
interact and participate in communal events. residents have opportunities to make friends,
In addition there should be an on-going take part in activities and enjoy the atmosphere
process that empowers the new community of gatherings and events. A connected, caring
with a role in decision-making and self- community will also feel safe and secure
governance, through structures like to move around in.
community councils and community trusts.
Stirling Developments have studied the
There are some disappointing examples composition of many successful communities,
of large residential developments providing and discovered that a key component is the
the resident with little more than a house quality of their outdoor spaces: the Life
and the road leading to it. If there is nothing Between Buildings.
to do outside the house it’s difficult for people to
make social connections and form a community,
resulting in a subdued, lifeless collection of
houses. We will do our upmost to ensure
Calderwood will never be just a ‘housing estate’.

434: Places for the community to gather and events to take place,
Study tour Sweden 2006.
435: Even small kiosks can enliven a space, Princes Street Gardens,
COMMUNITY Edinburgh 2007.
436: Encouraging community activities, school children planting
Calderwood nursery 2009.
437, 439: Calderwood’s village park will have capacity to host
large events, similar to East Calder Gala Day 2007.
438: Wedding, High Street, Linlithgow 2006.

434

166
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435

436

437 438 439

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 167

 PART TWO
COMMUNITY (continued)

440

441 442 443

168
 “Life between buildings: foundations for a
successful Community.” By Jan Gehl & David Sim;
Gehl Architects, Copenhagen, Denmark.
For most of us, when we think of a This might seem obvious, but in many new
community, we think of the kind of place settlements people don’t meet their neighbours
where you know your neighbours and children and fellow citizens in a normal way. Technology,
walk to school. A place where you say “hello” from cars to computers, keeps people apart.
on the street, and a place where you feel safe Many people get to and from their homes
walking home alone in the evening. by car, without ever exchanging a word with
anyone else. They spend most of their working
Calderwood’s communities should be an hours alone in front of a computer screen, and
inclusive environment for many different then much of their leisure time alone in front
people: different ages, jobs, social backgrounds, of a TV screen. This kind of isolated living,
diverse interests and beliefs, etc. Knowing each apart from being unhealthy for the individual,
other, even if it’s only by sight from passing does not help to build a community.
in the street, creates an environment of mutual
respect and this is the foundation of a strong The comfort from the company of others and

STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE

and healthy community. the feeling of being part of a wider community,
even on the most superficial level, is of huge
importance for the sustained well-being of
To form a community people have to know each human beings.
other. In order to know each other they have to
meet in the first place. And to be able to meet Traditionally, people met easily because they
they have to be physically able to meet and have spent more time outdoors and moved about
the social opportunity to meet. slowly (walking) and streets and squares were
important meeting places for the community.

440: Villefranche-Sur-Mer Study tour, France 2006. 443: Stopping for a chat in the Meadows, Edinburgh 2008.
441, 448: Princes St. Gardens, Edinburgh 2007. 445: Jan Gehl.
442: Cycling provides an ideal opportunity to stop 446: David Sim.
and say ‘hello’. 447: Activities in public spaces Castle St., Edinburgh 2008.

444 445 446

447 448

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 PART TWO
COMMUNITY (continued)

Millions of years of evolution have helped make

man a walking creature, with a forward-facing
sensory system based around our faces.
Our senses are at optimal capacity when we Simple things like having a seat on a bench
stand still or when we are walking. Therefore in the sun, or just chatting. And as the public
an environment of slow movement: walking realm becomes more appreciated, it will
at 5km/h (or perhaps cycling) should not just lead to planned activities, like going for
be encouraged – it should be the most sensible a jog, practicing tai-chi, or having a picnic.
and attractive option.
The greater the overlap and symbiosis between
Human beings are also social animals – people different kinds of activities on the one spot,
actively seek the company of other people. the greater the sense of liveliness and attraction.
This is especially true today with so much
technology and lifestyle which keeps us indoors
and isolated. Even just watching other people One of the basic rules we have developed is to
is an important part of public life and there cluster as many activities as possible together to
is social overlap between active and passive make a hub (no matter how modest) of public life.
public life.
Buildings in turn should support this network,
In order to encourage public life, the urban fronting the paths and spaces with windows
design strategy for Calderwood will endeavour and doors, providing passive surveillance
to make the most of the few necessary activities and a steady stream of comings and goings.
(such as waiting for the bus, walking to school,
entering and leaving buildings etc). By making The design philosophy at Calderwood supports
them as pleasant as possible we encourage slow these principles, providing the project with
movement, and staying, which can in turn lead the foundations to help establish a happy,
to spontaneous activities. integrated community.

449, 452: Even in the winter Scandinavian’s prefer to be outdoors when possible, Study tour Copenhagen 2006.
450: Residential Spaces Gehl Archive.
451: Old friends catch up on a park bench in Princes St. Gardens, Edinburgh 2007.
453: Enjoying the sunshine on your doorstep.
454: St. Andrews Square, Edinburgh 2008.

449

170
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450

451 452

453 454

CALDERWOOD THE MASTERPLAN 171