How we help

We help design better places in Scotland, from health facilities and learning environments, to town centres, housing and more.

Four people wearing winter clothing stand in a circle and talk to each other at an outdoor space.

Home

How we help

A centre for excellence

We believe in the power of design to improve lives. Whether it's a single building or an entire town, good design responds creatively and sustainably to the needs of everyone. When we work on a project, we share our expertise and learning in the forms of direct project advice, events, publications, toolkits, case studies and more.

Our key areas of work are outlined on this page:
Sector development - support the architecture and design sector to thrive in Scotland
Housing - using design expertise to deliver more and better housing
Public sector investment - grow on our experience of learning and healthcare estate to maximise benefit of public investments

Cross-cutting themes
Climate and Digital cut through all our work .

Sector Development

Working with partners to remove barriers to growth, increase capacity and create opportunities in the architecture and built environment sectors through focused areas of activity

Collage of interviewees that took part in the campaign.

Sector Development

Our principal role will be to support the architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design sectors to grow. We will do this by

•Linking practices with opportunities in Scotland, the UK, and internationally

•Providing resources to practices that make it easier to access opportunities

•Working to remove systemic barriers to opportunity, e.g. through reform of the procurement process

Public Sector Capital Investment

Evidencing design impact through our work in Healthcare and the Learning Estate to improve delivery and outcomes in the wider public sector capital investment and support Public Sector Reform

Colorful glass panels in wooden frames surround vibrant flower beds leading to a blue hut on a school ground.

Mearns Primary Spark Park, Glasgow

Designing learning environments for Scotland's young people

We work with the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and local authorities to support anyone involved in designing learning estates across Scotland. We share our expertise, coordinate advice, and produce resources on subjects such as local and outdoor learning and accessible and inclusive design.

Learn more

Parkhead Hub, Glasgow

Designing health and social care facilities for patients and staff

We work alongside the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directorate (SGHSCD) and Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to support health boards and those who commission new or substantially redevelop facilities create healing places for people in Scotland.

Learn more

Digital innovation to support the architecture and design sector

Using digital innovation to amplify A&DS’s impact by combining data-driven approaches and digital tools with our core design expertise

Four story housing development with gardens, raised beds and aseating area.

Primrose Place, Alloa

Using Digital innovation to support the architecture and design sector

Using digital innovation to amplify A&DS’s impact by combining data-driven approaches and digital tools with our core design expertise

Learn more

Build better, faster and more affordable housing in Scotland

Our work will look at creating the conditions to build better, faster and more affordable housing by piloting new design-led models that challenge the status quo.

A computer render of a proposed housing development showing a wide car-free street surrounded by brick buildings and people walking down the street

Fraser Avenue, Inverkeithing

Designing homes to strengthen communities

We work with local communities and the Scottish Government to shape what future housing will look and feel like. We also work with housing associations and developers to ensure housing today is built to prioritise the people who live there.

Learn more

Acting on the Climate Emergency

Embedding net-zero principles and climate resilience throughout our work

Young people of Blackburn at a Climate Action Towns mapping workshop.

Climate Action Towns workshop, Blackburn

Designing climate conscious buildings and places

We collaborate with local authorities, communities, and public bodies to deliver net zero, drawing on insights from a portfolio of recent projects focused on people-centred, climate-concious design. Supported by the Scottish Government, we help communities across Scotland actively design for the challenges of a changing climate.

Learn more