SCOTTISH HOUSE: A REVIEW OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUPS OF HOUSES WITH A VIEW TO SUSTAINABILITY, THE USE OF TRADITIONAL AND NEW MATERIALS, AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN
CHAPTER TWO THE STUDY METHODOLOGY
2.1 A call for information and examples was disseminated to all the regional groups representing Scottish Architects and Planners, to Scottish Homes, the Scottish Ecological Design Association, Association for Environment Conscious Building. Specialist interest groups and practices were also contacted, for example Community Self-build, the Findhorn Foundation, Historic Scotland, Reforesting Scotland, the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland, the Lime Centre and the National Trust for Scotland. Relevant journals and publications were scanned for examples, and key web links were e-mailed. A literature survey was undertaken, to review relevant output from previous research and identify relevant initiatives and organisations.
2.2 The outcome of the survey was a long-list of individual and small groups of houses built in rural Scotland which are cogniscent of, and demonstrate, sustainable development principles. A questionnaire was sent to the designer/ builder/ owner of each house or group of houses. The aim was to identify the barriers faced by such developments from inception to completion, and where and how these have been overcome, in such a way as to inform good practice. Issues such as site selection, planning permission, passive design features, building control, service provision, transport, materials selection, use and management over time, and resource provision were to be taken into consideration. A document summarising the buildings was prepared. This has been updated as the project progressed and is documented under Case Studies below. The houses are all considered in some respect to be innovative in design and to be generally acknowledged as fitting well into their setting.
2.3 A workshop was held, with invitations being sent to people from a wide variety of experience and concerns, across Scotland. The aim of the workshop was to provoke discussion and receive input from as many related perspectives as possible. Participants included engineers, planners, home-owners, architects, kit-house designers, and representative of the Historic Scotland, The Forestry Commission and other bodies.
2.4 The workshop participants were invited to give a brief illustrated talk on any relevant issue which was of special interest to themselves, or to present their designs. These highlighted a number of the principle issues, experiences and the concerns of leading rural designers.
2.5 Discussion groups were then formed around the following topics:
2.5.1 Sustainable development principles, techniques, benign materials, products, services and skills required for rural Scotland the benefits of applying them.
2.5.2 Planning permission and building warrant - constraints and opportunities.
2.5.3 Rural Scotland characteristics, problems and opportunities, guidance, best practice.
2.6 The groups were also asked to consider: future research needs; legislative and other opportunities; barriers which have been faced and where these have and have not been overcome; and limitations which restrict adoption of best practice.
2.7 Group feedback was followed by an open discussion and everyone was invited to contribute a submission on a pressing aspect for attention which would assist in pursuit of the project objectives. A summary of the objectives and findings of the research project to date, including issues raised at the workshop, was then widely disseminated for comment prior to this report being prepared. The workshop and the resulting comments form the major element of the study. A list of attendees and contributors of written responses and projects is appended.