Interior Design School of Design
Leslie A. Beck
The final year of my degree at GSA has served as an opportunity to bring together my burning drive to make this world a better place and the art of Interior Design. It is my Buddhist values of compassion and care with which I have questioned and rethought how we live in urban centres like Glasgow. With loneliness and mental ill-health on the rise, with environmental catastrophe on our doorstep and still largely the same urban planning, there needs to be a change.
The Garten serves as a reminder that we are stronger together and that community- and sustainability-focused residential projects like these can benefit all beings.
Works
THE GARTEN.
With a trademark Teutonic «t», The Garten stands for transforming together as individuals and as a society. It is a celebration of the transformative power of inclusive and sustainable design, embodying the vision of a future where everyone has access to a supportive and nurturing environment.
Confronted with today’s pressing challenges, both local and global, I have come to understand that with societal privilege comes responsibility: The responsibility not to look away when faced with hatred and violence, discrimination and isolation, inequality and environmental destruction.
The Garten is a call to take action and to effect positive change that serves as inspiration.
Born from the heart, The Garten is a vision, an ambitious project in scope as well as size, striving for a more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. It is also a manifesto of my unwavering commitment to mindful and informed design, hoping to spark conversation and collaboration in creating a kinder, more equitable world for generations to come. At the same time, it is a further step in who I want to be as a human being, a Buddhist, and as a designer.
AN INTRODUCTION.
The Garten is an innovative residential complex that seeks to breathe new life into a Victorian High School building in Glasgow, creating a vibrant, interconnected community. Rooted in the core principles of community, inclusivity, and sustainability, The Garten serves as an urban sanctuary where residents can thrive in harmony with their environment.
Inspired by the concept of a thriving garden ecosystem, the name “Garten” symbolises the project’s dedication to promoting well-being and nurturing a harmonious environment for all residents. The Garten stands for growth, resilience, and the celebration of diversity, much like the variety of plants and beings found in a vibrant garden.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Community: The Garten empowers its residents and nurtures strong social bonds by creating shared social spaces and activities and encouraging resident involvement in decision-making processes.
Inclusivity: The Garten places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity by taking an intersectional feminist approach to design, considering a wide range of life experiences, identities, and the needs of individuals from various backgrounds, ages and abilities. It offers multiple housing options, including rentals, purchases, and social housing, ensuring that individuals from various walks of life and income levels can find a welcoming and supportive home within its walls.
Sustainability: The Gartens’ dedication to eco-conscious living is demonstrated through the incorporation of renewable energy sources, utilisation of eco-friendly construction practices and materials, and promotion of green communal living practices. Smaller living footprints and the integration of green spaces further emphasise the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing its overall impact.
The Gartens‘ strong emphasis on community-oriented, sustainable living demonstrates how urban environments can be reimagined to prioritise resident well-being and environmental responsibility.
THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL.
Located between Elmbank and Holland Street in Glasgow, The Garten is housed within the historic Old High School. Designed by Charles Wilson, the building is a Grade A-listed structure. Established in 1846 as a private institution, the school’s roots can be traced back to the 12th century as the Sang School of Glasgow Cathedral.
CENTRAL LOCATION.
The Garten’s prime location at the Old High School site offers residents a well-connected urban retreat close to Glasgow’s city centre. With various public transportation options reachable within a 5-minute walk, sustainable commuting becomes a convenient choice for residents. Nearby supermarkets and schools make daily errands effortless, while the 10-minute stroll to the picturesque Kelvin Grove Park provides a serene escape from the city bustle. The diverse local neighbourhood features a balanced mix of residential areas, offices, entertainment venues, and restaurants, ensuring a vibrant and engaging community experience for residents of all backgrounds and interests.
- The Old Highschool
- Saint Andrews West Parish Church
- The CCA
- MODA Living
- St Columba Church of Scotland
- Scottish Power HQ
- Scottish National Opera
- Kings Theater
- Mitchell Library
THE GREEN COURTYARD.
The courtyard transforms a former parking lot into a lush, green sanctuary, introducing a park-like environment into the heart of the city. Native trees and plants enhance biodiversity, while pollinator-friendly gardens, rainwater parks, and natural materials create a haven for both wildlife and residents. A playground, covered seating areas, wheelchair-accessible gardens for cultivating vegetables, green houses and communal herb patches aim to cater for all residents. The food forest concept is embraced through fruit trees, meadows, and edible landscaping, offering a sustainable and beautiful retreat for all.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL VS. COMMUNAL.
COMMUNAL
The communal spaces are the cornerstone of The Garten and the focus of this project, fostering a diverse and close-knit community. The Oak House, serving as the central hub, accommodates over half of the site’s communal areas, including the central kitchen, dining hall, nursery, and main entrance. The Garten is designed to promote resource-sharing among residents through dedicated spaces like the laundry room, gym, and co-working area. Circulation points such as staircases and corridors are thoughtfully designed with seating options for spontaneous interactions with neighbours.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL
The Garten consists of various flat typologies reflecting the diverse needs of its residents. Options range from studios to six-bedroom flats, the latter designed for shared living. A third of the apartments are part of a social housing scheme. At the same time, each flat typology has at least one wheelchair designed for wheelchair accessibility.
Each flat shares a common room with others in the same building, featuring a kitchen and dining area. Keeping the flat sizes small, offering shared flats and outsourcing resources like laundry machines, tools, etc, allows for a smaller environmental footprint.
GATE HOUSES
The gate houses, Heather and Sage, offer flexible accommodations for guests and shared resources. Residents can book rooms for visitors, while the ground floor provides storage for bikes, shared e-bikes and cargo bikes, as well as a bike repair station. The recycling centre and storage for children’s toys and gardening tools are also located here, emphasising sustainability and shared amenities.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALITY.
One of the objectives of The Garten is to sustainably restore and celebrate the site’s history as a former Victorian high school. The design pays homage to the building’s past by carefully restoring and preserving key features such as intricate plasterwork on the ceilings, beautiful sandstone elements, elegant dado wall panelling, and classic flooring, as well as including Victorian furniture details.
A consistent visual material and design language connect the communal spaces. With sustainability as one of the key pillars of the Garten, materials are locally and ethically sourced, and natural materials are used where possible. Plants are integral to every room’s design, promoting a soothing ambience and connection to nature, while acoustic ceilings ensure tranquillity.
The Garten’s flats are designed to serve as the backbone for residents to create individualised homes tailored to their unique tastes and needs. While preserving the site’s heritage and adding contemporary dado panelling adaptations, each unit is left unfurnished. Modern minimalist bathrooms and kitchens with matching wooden cabinetry are provided, while green backsplashes in the kitchen and bathrooms pay homage to traditional Victorian tiles found in Glasgow’s tenement buildings.
GROUND FLOOR.
- The Green Hall (Foyer)
- The Nursery
- The Great Hall
- The Leisure Salon
- Kitchen
- Laundry Room
- Workshop
- Pollinator meadow with fruit trees
- Communal garden with wheelchair-accessible raised beds & greenhouses
- Wheelchair-accessible Playground
- Kitchen herb garden
- Stairs from the Garage
- Entry to the guest house Heather, bike storage, shared e-bikes and cargo bikes & bike repair station
- Entry to the guest house Sage, recycling station, storage for gardening equipment and children’s toys
Situated on a sloping hillside, The Garten’s main entrance welcomes visitors from Holland Street into the central courtyard, which has been raised to ensure step-free access to all buildings. Walking through the courtyard or ascending the steps from Elmbank Street, residents and guests arrive at the Oak, the community’s focal point, with the Green Hall (foyer).
The ground floor epitomises The Garten’s communal spirit, with shared spaces encircling the vibrant courtyard. These spaces include the Nursery, Great Hall, Laundry, and Workshop, allowing residents to participate in various activities while enjoying views of the playground and gardens. The seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces fosters a sense of community and visibility among neighbours.
To ensure safety and privacy, the community utilises a key card system for site access. This feature allows children to play freely in the courtyard while providing peace of mind for all residents.
THE OAK GROUND FLOOR.
The Oak’s ground floor serves as the bustling heart of The Garten community, housing exclusively communal spaces. It fosters camaraderie and shared experiences, providing residents with various spaces to gather, socialise, and partake in activities.
This vibrant, inclusive atmosphere encourages residents to engage with one another, whether through sharing meals in the dining hall, cooking for the community in the kitchen, enjoying a film in the leisure salon, or watching the children in the nursery. The Oak’s ground floor exemplifies The Garten’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.
THE GREEN HALL.
The Green Hall is a central gathering point for the Garten community, acting as both a foyer and a lively circulation area. Upon arrival from Elmbank Street, visitors are welcomed by grand wooden doors and a custom vestibule inspired by Glasgow’s famed Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens.
As the community’s core, the Green Hall features an eye-catching green planter with integrated resident letterboxes, along with a reception and community blackboard that pays tribute to the site’s former life as a high school. The blackboard serves as a communication hub, displaying cooking schedules, upcoming events, and communal meeting information. This inviting space encourages impromptu interaction among neighbours, promoting a tight-knit, connected community.
Bespoke Planter
Bespoke Reception Desk
THE NURSERY.
The Nursery is strategically located near most communal spaces with large windows providing visibility from the corridor, foyer, and vestibule, ensuring adults can easily monitor children at play.
A small wardrobe at the entrance accommodates shoes and outerwear, while a bespoke miniature “Oak House” offers a fun climbing wall, slide, and ball pit alongside two playhouses. The multi-functional area in the back of the room features small tables for crafts, homework, and painting, with a board mounted against the climbing house for displaying and painting artwork.
A cosy reading corner doubles as a napping room, while child-friendly toilets and a nursing room offer convenience. A small kitchenette provides storage for toys, crafting supplies, and a sink for washing hands and materials. Natural materials create a soothing yet playful atmosphere, enhanced by an acoustic timber ceiling that absorbs noise, ensuring a comfortable environment for children to learn and grow.
FIRST FLOOR.
The first floor primarily houses private residential units with various flat layouts, some featuring mezzanines to maximise space. Two communal rooms in the Ash and Willow Houses serve the surrounding flats, fostering a sense of community.
In the Oak House, the west-facing side is dedicated to communal spaces accessible to all residents, including the cosy lounge, quiet library, and study. The study capitalises on the generous 5.5-meter-high ceilings with a mezzanine level, reachable via a Victorian-inspired spiral staircase or elevator. The study offers closed meeting rooms, work pods, casual seating, and hot-desk options.
Additionally, the guesthouses on this floor provide shared communal spaces, such as kitchens and living rooms, for visitors to enjoy.
Communal Spaces
- The Drawing Room
- The Study
- The Library
- Shared common rooms for flats
- Shared common rooms in the guesthouses
SECOND FLOOR.
The second floor houses the mezzanine level of the study, accessible by elevator or spiral staircase. This floor also features accessible and gender-neutral bathrooms for residents using the communal spaces on both levels.
On the opposite side of the study are three different flat typologies with a wheelchair-accessible six-bedroom shared flat on this floor, emphasising The Garten’s commitment to inclusivity and diverse living arrangements.
In the Willow House, a small area is transformed into an art studio to inspire residents’ creative pursuits. The Ash House offers an intriguing layout with sizeable north-facing windows, accommodating a six-bedroom shared flat with a built-in second level.
The guesthouses, Heather and Sage, provide individually rentable bedrooms for visiting guests.
- The Mezzanine of the Study
- Art studio
- Guest rooms
OAK REFUGE.
The third floor is distinguished by the Oak Refuge, a tranquil spiritual sanctuary situated atop The Garten’s central communal building. This interfaith space underscores the importance of spirituality in fostering a connected and supportive community. The Oak Refuge features three primary areas: a movement studio, a library, and a multi-faith meditation and prayer hall, each carefully designed to honour diverse religious beliefs and spiritual practices, reflecting The Garten’s core values of community, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Complementing the Oak Refuge is a small Zen-inspired garden with a wooden walkway, tucked between the refuge and the apartments opposite it. This quiet, contemplative space invites residents to experience serenity and reflection, further enhancing the third floor’s atmosphere of tranquillity and spiritual exploration.
BASEMENT.
The Garten’s basement is a practical solution to the site’s sloping hillside, transforming the area into a useful and accessible space. By removing the police surveillance building, a garage entrance from Elmbank Street was created, housing a limited number of shared cars in line with the community’s commitment to sustainability. Residents can reach other areas via an elevator and stairs connecting to the courtyard. Bicycle and motorcycle storage is also available in the garage, promoting eco-friendly transportation options.
The Ash House basement offers a communal gym, changing rooms, and showers, including a separate wheelchair-accessible changing room with a shower. This layout demonstrates an emphasis on inclusivity and the well-being of residents.
In the Oak House, the basement prioritises accessible and inclusive facilities for the ground and first floors, as well as the courtyard. These amenities feature various options, including women’s, men’s, gender-neutral, ambulant, and wheelchair-accessible toilets. Additionally, a family bathroom with a diaper-changing station, lowered children’s toilet, and a standard toilet is available, reflecting The Garten’s dedication to catering to diverse needs within the community.
- Entry into the garage from Elmbank street through a automatic door
- Motorcycle parking
- Wheelchair-Accessible Parking
- Bike storage
- Stairs to the Courtyard
- Gym
- Changing Rooms with shower and toilets
- Bathrooms: womans, mens, gender-neutral, urinals, wheel-chair accessible toilet, ambulant gender-neutral toilet, family bathroom
- Basement compartments for individual flats
THE FUTURE OF THE GARTEN.
The Garten project exemplifies a promising vision for the future of residential planning in cities like Glasgow. By placing community and sustainability at its core, this concept draws inspiration from successful cohousing initiatives such as Marmalade Lane and New Lane, showcasing the tremendous benefits a collective approach can bring to residents and neighbours alike.
As a large-scale undertaking, the Garten holds potential for further exploration into eco-conscious practices, ensuring that sustainability is deeply ingrained in every aspect of its design. Collaborations with sustainability, inclusivity and community experts would enrich the project’s development, bringing this vibrant community to life.
Ultimately, the Garten is like a seed of a multifruit tree. It needs constant tending and upkeep, and you may be surprised at the fruit it bears. But it might lead to sufficiency and a richer life as individuals, families and communities while assisting in the life extension project for the planet.
