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We went to visit the Scottish Housing Expo back in August. It was fascinating and a day very well spent. Described as <<The single most important architecture and design event to take place in Scotland over the past decade>> it was great to experience.
The Expo was the first housing fair dedicated to sustainable living in the UK. Fifty-two sustainable homes designed by 24 architects’ practices were built and opened to the public – to explore them, ask questions about and then buy or rent the homes after the month-long Expo was finished.
This approach to housing development is fantastic. It encourages debate about future design, materials, sustainable living and the concept of creating communities through construction.
Housing Fairs are no new concept in Finland. The fair in the highlands was very much inspired by – and based on – the Finnish model where the housing fair concept is very successfully used to showcase innovations in housing designs.
The founders of the Finnish Housing Fair Co-operative Organisation have had true vision: since 1970, these (very nearly) annual fairs have encouraged debate on current issues related to living such as sustainable development and saving energy. A site is agreed upon and then developed in a collaborative project. The Housing Fair Organisation works together with each host municipality to run the fair. Each fair contributes far more to the development of a Finnish town than just an exciting new residential area: the surrounding area benefits from visitors to the fair spending money in local shops and restaurants, the project provides employment and the external investment in the local area improves local services.
This organisation was founded in 1966 by a combination of Housing Associations, banks and regional authorities. The organisation is a customer focused, non-profit body based on a collective responsibility and approach to housing.
Everyone has their own responsibilities:
1. The Finnish Housing Fair Co-operative Organisation
- general public services, technical issues related to the fair and marketing of the event.
2. The host municipality
- the target area’s land use plan, public utilities timetable, car parking for the fair
3. The developers and builders
- the completion of their own projects, their financing and any promotional material for the fair.
As well as general housing fairs, Finland hosts more specific fairs focussing on areas such as child-friendly design, the living lifespan of a building, energy efficiency, holiday living and the work environment.
The Scottish Housing Expo attracted 31,000 visitors compared to 85,000 at Finland’s first fair in 1970.
We really hope that Scotland will continue to follow Finland’s example and make these fairs a regular occurrence. It inspires and encourages architects and developers to push the boundaries. Andrew Black Design’s Healthy House built as part of the recent Expo has a predicted annual heating cost of £64. By engaging Housing Associations, banks, local councils and the general public, Finland’s architecture and sustainable development has moved forwards in leaps and bounds and this is a great example for Scotland to follow.
All of the photos on the post were taken at the Scottish Housing Expo 2010.
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