Jon Hebditch
A public park, a distillery, theatre or new research institute – these are just some of the plans put forward by a group of students for how the land surrounding Aberdeen’s new bypass could be used.
Architecture students from the city’s Robert Gordon University have presented ideas on how to develop the land around the A93 North Deeside Road at its intersection with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
The students were set a brief of exploring hypothetical developments that would challenge the cul-de-sac housing and retail park format that pops up around bypass intersections.
The work will go on display at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment as part of the End of Year Show, which runs from June 18 to 25.
Course leader David Vila Domini said: “The project is a way of exploring what might be possible for this site between Milltimber and the bypass by taking into account a holistic approach to the city, as opposed to the usual piecemeal developments which spring up around bypass routes.
“The benefit of having a more coherent approach to these sorts of locations is that often they connect to the city in a different, more permeable way, rather than just building more housing or retail parks which simply serves to push more and more cars on to the main arterial roads.”
Student Janis Vilcins put forward the idea of creating a new vertical distillery in the area, which also has a mixed use space suitable for housing workers and a visitor centre with a hotel.
The 24-year-old said: “From the very beginning the factory building was determined as the centre point of the development, it was decided that in this particular location the factory could be a distillery as a response to the cultural heritage of Dee valley and due to the influence and scale that whisky manufacturing can reach in Scotland.”
Coursemate Valentin Dolhan, 25, has proposed a research institute as part of the project.
He explained: “The intention here is to explore the possibilities of having public, private and research development within close proximity of the new AWPR.
“The ambitions for the new building lie in future proofing research. By enhancing social interaction, scientists can communicate more efficiently in a more loose and relaxed space.”
