From North Berwick, Rutherglen, and Hong Kong respectively, Tim Lahaise, David Reid and Chow Ying Choi Angus each graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture with Distinction from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen, in 2021. For their combined St. Clement’s Quarter proposal they were each awarded the RGU Art & Heritage Purchase Award, and Ying Choi was additionally nominated for the RIBA President’s Medal and Commended for RIAS Scottish Student Awards. Since graduating, they have each gone on to work at renowned architecture firms in Edinburgh, London and Hong Kong, between them covering a range of projects from Listed Building retrofit, to high-end residential work, to urban town planning.
Together the trio propose a new sustainable urban village in the historic heart of Aberdeen titled St. Clement’s Quarter. The village is named after the local 15th century church of St. Clements, which serves as a symbol of the area’s rich heritage. The proposal aims to reconnect Aberdeen to its waterfront with a vibrant residential community that draws inspiration from Scotland’s unique coastal towns to preserve a sense of tradition and local identity; marrying it with Nordic precedent to embrace the colder climate in its design. Free from linear car-centric traffic, the proposal examines how its village-inspired urban blocks should be internally organised, or disorganised, to encourage active travel and freedom of movement. With lively areas for leisure and recreation, localised amenities and extensive shared green space, St Clement’s Quarter highlights the potential for modern and sustainable urban living; emphasizing the possibilities of the city of Aberdeen to transition from its oil-based economy to a green energy future.
A huge thank you to the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University for their sponsorship of our exhibition and the incredible support of the school and its tutors throughout our academic careers.
We’d also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Morgan Architects for their sponsorship and for their support of young professionals in the field of architecture, and their central role in Tim’s ongoing career development.
