Aberdeen

Bill Brogden is retired Reader in Architecture, Robert Gordon University. He has provided service locally on various Trusts such as Pitsligo Castle (preservation of major house from the 16th century, the restitution of its grounds, and care and transformation of neighbouring Peathill Kirk and its 17th century carved fittings), NESPT and Glen o' Dee hospital; and nationally as Vice-president and Councillor of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, and Councillor and Expert Advisor to National Trust for Scotland. He led research and consultancy in a series of projects to improve the design quality in houses built for sale for Aberdeenshire Council in collaboration with European Union, Robert Gordon University, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Architecture & Design Scotland, Cluny Estate (with Eric Parry's team of consultants) and various groups representing commercial and client interests. These projects resulted in a long series of charettes with client groups and elected members of planning committees and officials to improve design criticism, and the design for a new village, in conferences such Laying Siege to Toytown, and the establishment and operation of the Aberdeenshire Design Forum where representative design professionals met and debated issues of design quality and commissioned exemplary design projects from Cadell2, Smith Scott Mullan, Neil Sutherland Architect, and Nicoll Russell Studios. These efforts informed policy, and guided the drawing up of Design Briefs and underpinned Index21, the Council's design assessment tool for members and officials. He has also joined teams to consider and advise Aberdeen on the future of The Green (led by Halcrow Fox & Associates) and the Aberdeen Urban Realm led by Gillespies. He is a Burgess of Aberdeen. Latterly he has concentrated on writing and A City's Architecture; Aberdeen as Designed City has been recently published by Ashgate.