Scotland' Housing Expo

Today, acclaimed British fashion designer, turned bastion of urban regeneration and social design, Wayne Hemingway visited the UK’s first ever eco-housing fair, Scotland’s Housing Expo.

Hemingway, who is working with Inverness based landscape architects Horner & Maclennan, to create nine of the gardens at the Expo, is passionate about the ethos of the Expo and promoting a better social living environment by forging a greater sense of community. The gardens will be completed throughout the Expo allowing visitors to see the gardens being created and pick up tips from the experts.

Wayne commented: “All of us involved in the Expo have a duty to leave a long term legacy of a great place to for the Inverness community. Gerardine and I have brought up our four children to be “free range kids”, we understand the value of well designed outdoor spaces and well thought out play”

He continued: \"Scotland\'s Housing Expo is for people with an interest in housing and how they live. Sustainability, fresh ideas, future thinking, outstanding architecture and product design rolled into one fun Expo in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Unmissable!\"

The month-long event also aims to educate visitors about the ethos of the Expo and the concepts and building methods for each property. There is a range of stimulating, entertaining and inspiring activities in and around the homes to attract all ages to the Expo, many with an eco-friendly and sustainable living theme, and with free entry for children under 16 years old, it is a perfect day of for families.

Councillor Jean Urquhart, Chair of the board for Scotland’s Housing Expo said: “We are delighted to have Wayne Hemingway with us today; he is one of our heroes and a real champion of the cause.  The Expo is only open until the end of the month and after the first few days watching people gasp in amazement I know many people will be rearranging their diaries to make time for a visit as no-one can afford to miss this.   Wayne has been helpful in spreading the word across Britain and that\'s just the kind of support we need. He, and Scotland’s Housing Expo, is putting Scotland firmly on the map for sustainable living!”

Susan Torrance, Chief Executive of Highland Housing Alliance said: \"We are proud to deliver the build of the Expo homes in collaboration with six developers – William Gray Construction, Tulloch, Robertson Highland, Morrison/Galliford Try, O’Brien Homes, James MacQueen, Skye and G F Job - on behalf the Expo event and see our vision come to life.  It has been a real challenge to create something from the ground up.  Over the past five years, we have put in place the crucial site development and build elements of the project, with the contractors and architect teams, to deliver more than 50 innovative, sustainable homes for the Expo. Our aim is to inspire the industry by bringing new skills and fresh ideas into future house designs.  

\"It\'s fantastic to see the Expo now launched and brought to life, thanks to the multitude of architects, developers and other organisations involved. Many people have worked tirelessly to bring this event to fruition and it positions Inverness and the Highlands as setting the benchmark for sustainable and thoughtful housing design. The Expo\'s properties are available for sale and to rent, offering people the opportunity to be part of a unique new community. There has already been strong interest in the properties and it is expected that our sales office on site will be busy during the next few weeks of the Expo.

\"I look forward to seeing people and families move into the properties eventually and enjoy them as real homes as well as architectural landmarks.\"

The Expo houses will be available to buy at the end of August and it will eventually become a living and breathing community. This is when the design and living concepts will really be put to the test and provide important findings that will help shape and influence the future of house building in Scotland.