Architecture and Design Scotland review: background report

Executive Summary

In February 2024, the Scottish Government (SG) began a review process to analyse the activities to support architecture policy delivery in Scotland. As the key vehicle for the delivery of architecture and place policy, the review principally focussed on the work of the Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) Architecture & Design Scotland (A&DS).

The initial outcomes of this review were shared with A&DS in October 2024 and a further phase of work to interpret and test recommendations with A&DS and with stakeholders was undertaken in late 2024 and early 2025. This report summarises the outcomes of the review and sets out a series of recommendations for reform of the body.

Overview

A&DS was established as an NDPB in 2005 and is a national champion for good architecture and design. A&DS works to help deliver Scottish Ministers' policies and objectives for the built and natural environment, in particular Scotland’s policy statement on architecture and place, Creating Places (2013).

The initial phase of the Review involved piloting a Rapid Functional Assessment process (RFA) to analyse the purpose, vision, governance, and structure of the body. This functional assessment was followed by stakeholder engagement and consideration of wider contextual issues.

The Review found that A&DS has played an important role in helping to successfully establish the place agenda in the built environment sector in Scotland over the past decade. Feedback from those stakeholders directly involved in A&DS project work was positive.

However, with the place agenda more effectively embedded across key areas of public policy and with shifts in the broader landscape, the Review found that change is now required in order for A&DS to operate with maximum impact. The pressures on public finances and the pace of change within the public service reform agenda also mean that reform activity is required to support the future sustainability of the body.

Some stakeholder feedback suggested a need for A&DS to operate at a more strategic level. The purpose of a body to support architecture and design was seen as important, however some stakeholders reported little knowledge of the specific functions of A&DS and questioned whether activities supported the contemporary priorities, challenges and opportunities for architecture and design. There was a prevalent view from architecture sector stakeholders that the work of the body had moved too far away from architecture and design issues and that a readjustment was required.

Functional Assessment – Key Outcomes

The functional assessment identified A&DS as having:

• a particular focus on facilitation and place promotion, limiting the ability to support key architecture and design issues
• too broad a remit for a small organisation with limited resources
• significant budget pressures risking viability of the body
• actual or perceived overlap with SG and other public/ third sector activities
• a need for greater evidence on impact

Stakeholder Engagement – Key Outcomes

Stakeholder engagement reflected that:

• A&DS’s purpose to support architecture and design should be retained within a distinct body, but could be nested in another larger organisation
• A&DS performs valuable roles in public sector capital investment work
• A&DS has worked effectively with a selection of local authorities on planning and place and has good profile with some spatial planning stakeholders
• A&DS has low visibility with architects, designers and some other relevant bodies

Sector Analysis - Key Outcomes

Analysis identified:

• architecture as the best performing sub-sector of Scottish creative industries looking at combination of GVA and employment growth (2013-19)
• architecture and design are amongst the creative industry sub-sectors most likely to contribute higher growth and value to the Scottish economy
• a compelling case to shift elements of A&DS’s focus from promoting good design outcomes to developing growth within the architecture and design sector

Emerging Priorities

The outcomes of the functional assessment, stakeholder engagement and analysis suggested some emerging priorities.

These included:

• maintaining and enhancing support for design expertise, best practice, and innovation in architecture
• supporting the development of the sector to improve the ability of architecture and design professions to increase impact on social, environmental, and economic outcomes
• growing the health and impact of the design sector, helping business development, supporting export potential, and establishing new markets
• developing partnerships promoting innovation and excellence across Scottish architecture and design to strengthen links and knowledge transfer across design sub-sectors
• a more streamlined and focussed approach for A&DS around a clear set of priorities