New Design in Historic Settings

Good design, place-making and heritage are at the heart of the government’s sustainability agenda and the document examines and celebrates modern design in historic settings. It demonstrates how exciting contemporary interventions can energise and enhance our celebrated historic areas.

Following wide consultation, this joint guidance from Historic Scotland, Architecture and Place and Architecture and Design Scotland aims to set out the means by which we can raise the standard of new design in historic settings. There are already many excellent examples throughout the country and we have included some of these to show how the principles can work in practice. The advice is aimed at designers, developers, local authorities, community groups and other important stakeholders such as amenity bodies.

New Design in Historic Settings [pdf, 6mb] will be a useful toolkit and will also create a design standard for new development in our historic areas, bringing cultural and economic benefits to our communities.