Govan Ark
Shipbuilding Industry
Research & Heritage Academy
Project Brief
The general aim of the project is to create a sustainable skills academy that responds both to the client’s aspirations and the needs of the Govan community.
In developing this design, I see an opportunity to reconnect the citizens of Govan with their history, while educating and training the local community in model-making and design skills. Such training aims to equip residents with new abilities and improve their employment prospects, as the Govan community, according to the Glasgow Index Project, faces challenges related to technical skills and education levels.
The academy will foster strong collaboration between educators and trainees. Participants in the learning process will not only enhance their skills but also contribute to preserving the shipyard heritage and local history by redesigning and recreating replicas of ships once built in Glasgow.
The building will revive the spirit of the shipyard industry, encourage learning, and deepen people’s understanding of the thousands of vessels constructed on the Clyde over the centuries. This will strengthen the bond between local citizens, their place, and their shared history.