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DESIGN COMPETITION BRIEF
March 2015
TO CELEBRATE THE 150th YEAR OF ROYSTON SPIRE
In Association with Rosemount Development Trust Limited
THE GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
A chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
A Registered Scottish Charity, Number SC000915
Rosemount Development Trust
Rosemount Development Trust Limited was formed in 1989 by a group of local residents who were concerned
about the high level of unemployment and poverty in Royston. Since its formation, the Trust has developed an
important range of services for the residents of the area. These have been centred within the Millburn Centre.
Rosemount Development Trust is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status.
Roystonhill Spire
Roystonhill Spire & Park Ltd is a subsidiary of Rosemount Development Trust Ltd, formed to restore, preserve and
maintain for public benefit the A listed structure forming Roystonhill Spire, in recognition of its outstanding
architectural merit.
Royston Spire Background
The Royston Spire is the only remaining part of the Townhead - Blochairn Parish Church which first opened in
1865 in Roystonhill (then known as Garngadhill). When the church was still in use it was adorned with carved stone
heads sculpted by Mossman and decorative stained glass windows designed by William Morris and Co. Some of
the stone heads now lie within Spire Park next to Royston Spire and the stained glass windows are now in the care
of Glasgow Museums.
Previous Studies: Monuments that Move Me worked with a group of women from the Rosemount Lifelong
Learning and Flexicentre. They were inspired by the Royston Spire’s stained glass windows and carved stone
heads to create their own artwork. Between September 2000 and July 2001, artist Paul Carter worked with young
people from Royston Youth Action on the Signal Hut Project. This involved transmitting audio messages recorded
by the people of Royston into outer space from Spire Park. Receiving equipment was then installed to the top of
Royston Spire and it is believed that a bright green light will be emitted from the belfry of the spire should any reply
be received!
Location and Ownership
The Spire is owned by Rosemount Development Trust and is all that remains of the original church building, the
Trust own all the land highlighted by the black line in the map below. The hall building and the remainder of the
land is owned by the Church of Scotland.
The Spire is situated on Roystonhill opposite new build two storey Spire View Housing Association houses, with
low rise new build private housing surrounding the site to the east. The site commands excellent vies across the
city of Glasgow and beyond.
THE GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
A chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
A Registered Scottish Charity, Number SC000915
Glasgow Institute of Architects
The Glasgow Institute of Architects is run by an elected group of individuals from the wider GIA membership. The
GIA is a chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), from which it gets its funding. The
GIA has committees: Architecture, People and Places; Communications; Conservation/ Sustainability; Education;
Practice/CPD and Festival of Architecture 2016. The Architecture People and Places Committee is generally
responsible for the promotion of Architecture to the wider public, through the running of design competitions,
exhibitions and lectures. More information can be obtained from the GIA website: www.gia.org.uk
Architecture, People and Places Committee
The A,P&P committee has as its main focus the promotion of Architecture to the wider public. Through this
committee, the GIA has promoted several initiatives that have helped inform wider debate on Architecture and
how that affects people and communities. The GIA geographical spread is west central Scotland therefore we
aim to address these matters in contexts that range from large urban areas to local rural communities.
The A,P&P committee work on a programme of activities based on the theme of ‘cities, towns and
neighborhoods’. It has previously worked with local Community Councils in the South-side of Glasgow to promote
a design competition for a new bandstand in Queens Park. The winner went onto to work with the Community
Councils to secure funding and move the project forward. They have also recently completed a competition for
Springburn Winter Gardens and been instrumental in the forming of Springburn Winter Gardens Trust.
The A,P&P have welcomed the opportunity to work with Rosemount Development Trust and the local community
in Royston to develop a design competition for Architects themed around the spire.
Design Competition Process
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25.03.2015
GIA and Rosemount Development Trust would propose to launch the competition at the Lighthouse and
set up a project website.
The competition will be open to all student architects and architects
Entrants would pay a small fee of £20.00 to enter the competition.
18.04.2015
Rosemount Development Trust would like to hold a community event in the Rainbow Hall next to the
spire when architects would have access to the Spire, meet members of the Trust and members of the
public who have memories of the former church and church buildings
Oral History open day
11.05.2015
Competitors would submit 1no. A1 board highlighting their ideas, along with 2no. A4 sheets describing
their proposal’s viability with projected costs
Submissions should be made to the GIA
18.05.2015
A judging panel composed of Rosemount Development Trustees, GIA members will shortlist
applications to 4-6 at a closed event
04.06.2015
2 week public display culminating in judging event at which public comments will be considered.
Shortlisted architects will present their proposal with model to a final judging panel comprising Trust and
GIA members, with invited guests.
The winning entry will be announced on the day with the winner receiving £500; second place £250;
third place £100.
Funding for the winning design will be accessed by Rosemount Development Trust with the successful
entrant working with other appointed architects to progress the project as part of a wider programme of
works if required.
In developing a fully costed proposal, the successful architect should meet/liaise with the appropriate
organisations including Historic Scotland, Glasgow City Council and the local Registered Social
Landlords.
THE GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
A chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
A Registered Scottish Charity, Number SC000915
Vision
Rosemount Development Trust requires a project or projects which will:
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celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building
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involve the local community
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provide an element of innovation and inspiration to the area
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preserve and maintain the building for the future
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ensure the Trust’s financial commitment to the building is not exceeded.
Budget
Rosemount Development Trust would be looking towards a budget for the installation of any works to not exceed
£40,000 inc VAT and fees, with annual running costs not exceeding £2,000 a year.
Brief
The Trust wish to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the spire, which has long been overlooked as a Glasgow
city landmark. Glasgow Housing Association are in the process of redeveloping housing within Royston and as
part of this process the demolition of the final multi storey block will take place in the autumn of 2015. After this
point the Spire will become even more visible to passing Glaswegians. The Trust want architects to develop
imaginative and practical design ideas for the spire which should consider lighting and interpretation along with
other concepts which may include:
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A lighting scheme for the spire which would see parts or all of the spire illuminated permanently and or for
specific events/times of year. Lighting may be of the spire itself or images projected onto the spire.
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The lighting system should be effective, non obtrusive to residents in the immediate area, and should also
consider the ongoing running costs.
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The spire contains four faces each with a clock, none of the clocks are currently operational, original and
alternative uses for the clock faces should be explored.
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Architects can consider the potential for the building to be made more accessible in order that the building
can be used on special occasions throughout the year, ‘Doors Open Day’ etc.
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Architects should be conscious of the need for security, the vulnerable situation of the spire and costs of
initial capital works and ongoing revenue costs
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Architects could consider other unattached spires in Glasgow that could facilitate a joint project.
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Architects may wish to consider the installation of cameras on the spire
Oral Histories
Rosemount Development Trust have been granted the opportunity to run an Oral Histories project for the duration
of the competition, which will allow them to gather memories from the number of residents who remember the
church, interior, notable events etc. The Trust will organise to carry out an oral history of local residents and former
ministers, worshippers etc to create an oral history that will safeguard knowledge of the building and help celebrate
the 150th year anniversary.
The Spire is a focal point at the heart of Royston and an important part of the north Glasgow skyline. The Trust are
planning the restoration and re-use of the Spire and considering the potential to link this with development of a new
community hall using derelict land adjacent to the Spire.
The project will include themes relevant to Royston such as heavy engineering (railways), immigration and physical,
social and economic changes to the neighbourhood over the years. The Trust will include all ages and interest
groups including ethnic minorities and will liaise with other partners to maximise participation and with local primary
schools and youth groups to enable an intergenerational and cross cultural aspect to the project. There will be
opportunities to add `sights and sounds' to this history project with photo and music archive enabling a fuller
representation of Royston memories to be shared and celebrated. The oral history will be recorded in a variety of
electronic and paper media formats and shared using social media and at community events with the view to
include the Spire within Doors Open Day 2015.
THE GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
A chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
A Registered Scottish Charity, Number SC000915
This project will engage all residents of Royston (pop 5,000) and enable individuals and voluntary group members
to spend time together. This will provide opportunities for people to take a greater role in community life and to
develop new confidence and skills covering community work, digital media and sound engineering.
This will benefit the regeneration of Royston which is one of the most deprived parts of Glasgow and enable a
creative and innovative approach to involving local people which it is hoped with culminate with the full restoration
of the Spire and ongoing community development programmes.
Project Information
Files will be available to download via the GIA website competition page.
CAD files have kindly been authorised for use by John Gilbert Architect on the following basis:
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the drawings are made available for charitable purposes only
that John Gilbert Architects will be credited wherever they are distributed
These drawings were prepared a number of years ago. John Gilbert Architects will not accept any
liability for the accuracy of the information contained within these files.
THE GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
A chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
A Registered Scottish Charity, Number SC000915