Leading Glasgow architect claims Wyndford high rises no longer fit for social housing

Michael Jarvis carried out a report into retrofitting the buildings which concluded new homes would be much better for the environment.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 10th Mar 2023

A leading Glasgow architect is claiming four tower blocks in the Wyndford estate in Maryhill are no longer fit for modern day social housing.

Michael Jarvis from MAST Architects carried out a study looking at retrofitting the high rises, but found they are too small to give tenants a good quality of life.

This is down to the fact that the buildings are made up of bedsits and one bedroom homes which have little floor space and few windows.

The tower blocks were originally built in the 1960s.

He told Clyde 1: "If you wanted to have a living room/kitchen with light then you would have to have an internal bedroom at the back with no daylight.

"These studio flats are very hard to fit into the model of what the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council want people to live in.

"If we were to give someone a good size bathroom, an adequate kitchen and the storage they require then you would be left with four square metres.

"That is a very small space for living and dining."

New homes would be better for the environment

Campaigners from the Wyndford Residents Union group claim the buildings should be retrofitted and pulling them down is bad for the environment.

They have held several protests outside the tower blocks in recent months.

However, Michael claims that the new houses would emit far fewer carbon emissions.

He added: "New build properties on net-zero heating systems would be far better.

"The carbon is captured and kept inside the timber and because it is inside the buildings, the timber never degrades or rots."

Taking pride in the area

People living nearby the tower blocks in the Wyndford estate are telling Clyde 1 they have served their purpose.

Bill Carroll has lived in the area for 53 years and said: "These flats were originally built in the 1960s for pensioners and pensioner couples.

"Ever since the 1980s, the landlords have had to rely on agencies, vulnerable people and homeless units to use them for short stays.

"When I was younger, people were proud to say they stayed in Wyndford and we need to get back to that because this is a lovely area with lots to offer."

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