Artisan showcases Merchant City garden apartment ‘oasis’

Property developer Artisan Real Estate has today revealed designs for a mixed-use development featuring low carbon homes for a site at 65-97 Ingram Street in Glasgow, following an initial public consultation.The development, on land which is currently a temporary car park, will feature four distinct buildings varying in height from four to six storeys. Artisan said the exterior façade for each building reflects the scale and architecture of neighbouring properties which vary in heritage and height. The proposed stepped designs, featuring modern sustainable materials, will enable communal roof terraces accessible on different levels.109 sustainable new homes are planned – with ground floor commercial space fronting onto Ingram Street and affording views through to a “garden oasis”. Properties include a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and will benefit from communal landscaped roof gardens and terraces.At the heart of the development will be a publicly accessed landscaped garden courtyard. Artisan has appointed specialist landscape designers to ensure final proposals enhance the local biodiversity through raised planting beds featuring native pollinating species, trees, lawns, plots to grow vegetables, bird boxes and beekeeping on extensive private and communal roof terraces, alongside a combination of paths and seating areas.The calming garden oasis within the public courtyard space will also create a rich, natural experience for both residents and visitors with native wildflowers and planting, alongside relaxing seating areas, specialist lighting and public artwork sympathetic to the site’s historic setting and conservation status, as well as aligning with the existing Merchant City Art Trail.More than 700 people engaged in the first round of consultation with an overwhelmingly positive response to the proposals as well strong support for encouraging more people to live in the city centre.Designed by architects AMA studio, the sustainable homes will feature the very latest green credentials, based on the design mantra of “use less energy first”, from the use of materials throughout the build to the design features such as fabric performance, low use water fittings to manage consumption and particular heat and energy provision. All energy will be renewable with no fossil fuels and clean heat pump technology adopted. This sustainable approach will be in keeping with Glasgow City Council’s recognised Gold Standard which also compliments sustainable urban design by creating places to live and work in city centres on brownfield sites.Supporting the city’s net zero ambitions, no car parking spaces are planned however, residents will be provided with secure bike spaces and access to the city car club.The proposed commercial space will accommodate up to four separate units ranging in size from 1,750 sq ft to 2,750 sq ft and will be suitable for a range of work, retail or café uses.