Chapelton of Elsick
Chapelton is an emerging, mixed-use town in north eastern Scotland, with diverse choices of housing and places for people to work set in generous green space.
Brooks Murray are town architects for the award-winning first phase of the new town in Aberdeenshire.
In 2010, Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company developed an original masterplan through intensive engagement with over 5,000 local residents, professionals, Council officers and national Scottish agencies. The dynamic nature of this charrette design process allows for immediate feedback, whether local or specialist, which has shaped the town over the past decade and will continue to shape its design in close dialogue with the growing community into the future.
Chapelton of Elsick aims to become a proper new Scottish town of 4,045 homes, as well as the shops, restaurants, workplaces, parks and schools needed for a living community. The first of the four distinct neighbourhoods which will house these four thousand homes is Cairnhill, whilst a town centre and high street will follow in a subsequent phase. In the long term, Chapelton can accommodate up to 8,000 houses across seven neighbourhoods.
The Chapelton masterplan is inspired by the vibrant urban settlements of northeast Scotland, such as Montrose, Stonehaven and St Andrews. Like these historic towns, Chapelton will include many types of traditional home within walking distance of attractive parks and community facilities. Each of the neighbourhoods is designed for people; designed to be inherently sustainable, walkable places in which people are proud to live and work.
The builders of Chapelton include local firms alongside those with particular expertise in traditional building. The houses use local building materials, including granite, stone and lime harling, as well as traditional architectural detailing. Homes are designed with a variety of floor plans, some of which include add-on options such as conservatories.
The long-term development of the town is regulated both by a Pattern Book and a Design Code, to ensure architectural styles adhere to the vision for Chapelton forged amongst local communities. This can and does, however, evolve through the Design Advice Circular, which enables a delicate blend of uniformity and variety across the new town.
Brooks Murray has worked alongside a range of local and international architects in order to produce house types for Chapelton’s first neighbourhood, including:
Benjamin Tindall Architects – www.benjamintindallarchitects.co.uk
Covell Matthews Architects – www.covellmatthews.co.uk
Lew Oliver Incorporated – www.wholetownsolutions.com
Marianne Cusato – www.mariannecusato.com
