Mark Makers - Social Research

Ready Steady Grow in 2018 hosted by The Nan Mackay Hall

Gazebo repaired following Vandalism and deck completed

A lockdown Bubble takes time out from Pond Building - All materials from United Wholesale - redundant pallets and trolleys.

2020 Lockdown Plan. - Landscape of Ponds, Plants, Planters, Hides, Safety barriers and Community Sofa - Designed and built During 2020 Lockdown by Andrew + Holly McAvoy + Julia Bauer.

Huda - With Swiss chard harvest from raised bed- Summer 20202

Pond Building from skipped materials and local park Cuttings to enhance ecology

MARK MAKERS. 2017 - 2020

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SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING ... IS FOR US

Mark Makers was the Title of a Social Research Project that lasted from Autumn 2017 to Autumn 2020. through 2 rounds of Scottish Government - "Aspiring Communities' Research Funding that created some community land tenure and temporary infrastructure as a
bi -product of the research .

Mark Makers was also the working place name for an emerging Community Common ( Garden ) - Sited at the former Kingston Bowling Club in East Pollokshields.

In line with many Bowling Clubs across post - industrial Glasgow - No further bowling was imagined.
Architecture and the creation of infrastructure were bi products of a series of Social Research Projects amidst - stop start Funding.

Retool identified the site and promoted an idea to The Pollokshields Trust - that it might be used as a vehicle for addressing an identified need for decreasing amounts of green recreational space in a densely tenement corner of Pollokshields..
We asked to meet the owners - The Sarwars and negotiated a consent.
We prepared a planning Application establishing the use of the space for Community Green space amidst a revised City plan.
We negotiated the Planning permission toward Community green space , with a stated remit toward reduced HGV predation, traffic calming, ecology, safer streets and tenement break out space that in some way might reverse some frightening poverty statistics.

WE THEN PHYSICALLY PUT THE SUPPORT ACCOMMODATION IN PLACE WITH NO CONSTRUCTION BUDGET - Via the recycling of Old shipping Containers + demolition materials.

HOW

The Practice acted as Community architects, providing : a vision for temporary use of the site. a strategy for staffing volunteering and training and expertise in securing funding.
We started by designing a low cost infra that could be co ordinated and delivered via self build and volunteering, this toward the creation a safe environment where Abandoned , neglected + Detrimental Land - Ie an Anti dote to the effects of ANDLAND as defined by the Scottish Community Empowerment Act
The first step to open the gates for one year as a garden was achieved with help from Glasgow City Council's - STALLED SPACES programme. in 2017 - 2018 ) that serviced the local communities access to Green space and was very successful.
This led to a repeat for a further year and then 2 rounds of Architecture + Design Scotland - Making Places Funding for social research localised to East Pollokshields using the Mark Makers space at the bowling green as a Hub from which the research could be conducted.

Over lapping that working in house with the Pollokshields Trust we applied for and delivered 2 consecutive rounds of Scottish Government - Aspiring Communities Funded Community participation. this we delivered until Covid hit causing Furlough.
Amidst Furlough we held the keys and continued to progress infra rather than sitting around as Volunteers. .

WHO
Spade work, Design of temp structures, general joinery and garden Design by Andrew McAvoy
RIBA Part 2 - Trainee Architect assistance by Barbara Veccione + Pavel Pavlov.
Hand work, finishing + metal work by Russel Lamb , Zander + Rowan , Tim Mitchell + various intermittent contributions by local residents..

It enabled a better understanding of our local communities problems and needs.
The Mark Makers project and the Hub as Bi Product of the research provided a chance to investigate how an uncertain eye sore at the end of the street from where we worked, might be created, serviced and run in line with the Scottish Empowerment Act.
RESOURCE
50% of the physical endeavour was given in kind as Volunteers and 50 % via time offered by the research project work.
Retool's hands on work ethos and track record of self Build allowed for good progress.

HOW
The Practice procured and successfully completed 2 Rounds of Architecture + Design Scotland - Making Places.
This on behalf of The Pollokshields Trust.

For Full Report on Phase 1 - Making Places - Is available from Architecture + Design Scotland .
For Full Report on Phase 2 - Making Places - Hit this link for a 18 Gb Download

- https://www.scribd.com/document/447752971/Making-Places

Local Infrastructure provision offered via the process included :

A new Gateway to the site made with help from Julia Bauer and a trellis provided by local resident Huda and family ..
A Make-shift Craneable Container Building + Conservatory,
A pond system,
A Tool store and Tool library
A Community Couch +
An Eco Growing system.
Plants panting + growing strategy plan handed in late 2020 to Urban roots.

FUTURE PROOFING
Thinking beyond 2020 the practice left :-
A community Kitchen
A community Green Space.
A survey + future plan that might be possible going forward, where longer term tenure was achieved and resultant funding of construction could flow.
A vision for Cycling Charity - Soul Riders - Zero Energy Hub
Polytunnels,
Tool shed + library.

Achievements :

A LITTLE SPACE... HAD BEEN PROVIDED ...FOR A LITTLE WHILE

As a Pollokshields Community member Andrew joined the Board of Glasgow Community Energy to help deliver one of the key achievements of the wider Mark Makers project - A start on Community focussed renewable energy

STOP PRESS Achievements

As a result of the Research there have been 3 key achievements
Following the Research and Consultation on local renewable Energy devised with help from Local energy Scotland ( Joe Smee G:ENDALE PRIMARY had 40 KW of Solar Panel install on its roof and now runs on renewables.

Following the Research + Consultation on " Kids versus vehicles" - The end of Kenmure street in front of the school Campus has now been closed to traffic and is a cycle only zone.

The Stalled space originally imagined for 1 year has now lasted 5 and the Mark Makers space I still open after 5 years allowing basic services including Toilet, kitchen and conservatory.

This thanks to :- Honed research allowed for :via applications prepared to A + DS on behalf of the PT
Namely :- -
The A+DS Making Places scheme. on Community Renewables. kids versus vehicles and Community ownership desires - That uncovered local Community will - by providing time for us to run consultations in the school , local library and at Community Council events.
See - https://www.scribd.com/document/447752971/Making-Places
Joe Smee at local energy Scotland and the incredible tenacity of the Glasgow Community Energy ( GCE ) Board and in particular Ellie Harrison in negotiating with the Custodians of the school + Glasgow City Council.

The images below show what Russel Lamb, Andrew McAvoy, Pavel Pavlov, Barbara Vecchione, Tabassum Naimat + Holly McAvoy + Julia Bauer achieved over 3 years. as a bi product of the Social Research., through bursts of engagement , desk work and "hands on" graft.
+

THE LAST BIT - LOCK DOWN 2020

With nothing finished or remotely safe

16 intense weeks of Lockdown tasks in 2020 were undertaken solo by Andrew + Holly McAvoy with help from Julia Bauer.
( The daily tasks and achievements went a long way to keeping a 12 year old happy when she could not see friends )
+
There were some key Volunteers that contributed physically and positively to what was created.

With special thanks to Volunteers - Huda, Sarah, Nutan, Mr Singh, Rowan, Sammy + Tim
for making the process enjoyable !

Special thanks to Mrs Mac, her family + developer John Murray for access to the skip and all the materials.

Everyone was considered equal and treated fairly.

The practice never used the royal " we " + where positioned transactionally or Professionally.
we were respectful of all positive contributions.

Throughout process we were mindful only to undo, what had already undone someone else's work..

Under the Practice's period of supervision - afforded as a bi product of our research - no one was hurt whilst clearing up that dirty old Lead soaked and dangerous bit of Abandoned Neglected + Detrimental ( AND ) Land.

We cannot speak for anything undertaken since our departure during Covid in July 2020

We wish the Community at the end of the street all the freedoms, a wee bit of protected Green space - free of cars,
can afford.

Detailed findings of the 3 years of Social Research that led to the physical occupation of the space is carefully recorded in the Report submitted to Scottish Government, which can be found here .

https://www.scribd.com/document/447752971/Making-Places

AD 1870 - The Context for the Social Research from the flagpole in Queens Park - Pretty much in place today - minus the Industry - which has left the heavy metals in the soil.

Considering the Placement of Conservatory , Polytunnels Ponds Via 3D model - Context + massing.

2017 - Planning Application - Re -establishing - Use Class of Land within Redline Area as Light Sport .+ Recreation and Dangerous Confuence of HGV's versus kids on Maxwell Road agreed with Glasgow City Council

All - Expressed COMMUNITY Desires, relations, opportunities, qualities and conundrums gathered in 1 drawing - Left at end of process as Route Map or ( Master Plan ) at end of Aspiring Communities - Phase 2 Hand drawn by Andy McAvoy - June 2020

What Retool Designed + Self Built via Community participation Between sep 2017 + July 2020 without Budget and as a Bi product of the Mark Makers - " Aspiring Communities " research Project.

Creating under counter Panels from old Pollokshields Doors in homage to Ben Nicholson

Under Counter Door Panels Completed from Mrs Mac's Tenement Kitchen Doors

Community Couch with removable cushions - Built by Andy + Julia from Pallets.

Holly - Building the new pond in lockdown 2020

Our inspiration. Harriet Maclaren 31st May - 1st March 2018 - aka Mrs Mac the magnificent. Who pollished her own brass and mopped her own landing in 48 years of East Pollokshields tenement inhabitation. Who could recount how you had to dress up, to walk down Kenmure Street to shop for - " special things " on Albert drive when she first moved from Lancashire to Glasgow in 1945. Always watching !!! and taking note.... on who is misbehaving. Hugely missed. The Mark Makers Project was made possible through making good use of materials from her home during renovation. Namely :- Doors, TT table, furniture, pantry bricks, brass, floor boards and fireplace tiles. Which were mostly retrieved from a skip on Nithsdale Road. Nothing was wasted ! Thank you Mrs Mac !

The Kingston Bowling Club after its first clear up and grass cut Following a first Pubic invitation to enter after 10 years of dereliction.

Film Maker - Basharat Khan interviews the last Chairman of the Kingston Bowling Club . For Film please see :-

Lockdown tasks - Upgrading the Floor and preventing people from falling.

VOLUNTEER WORK IN LOCKDOWN - Steady creation of Community structures from skipped , recycled + gifted materials. State of Play -June 2020 after 10 weeks of Lockdown

Tree form - Gazebo offering shelter, growing space, Plant climbing frames, high level bird feeding away from Cats.

For access to the Full version of this initial Architecture + Design Scotland ( A + DS ) Funded " Making Places " Phase 1 Report Follow this Link. https://www.markmakers.org.uk/report

Temporary Connection to mains sewer laid and Water Connection made .

Container opened up and decl created for purposes of completing an 18 month - Stalled Spaces Project to end sep 2019

Kate E Deeming running the - Build a Big Spider workshop on the deck.

Connecting up to mains water and providing an outdoor Tap for Gardening purposes in early 2018

New Electric Power cable brought in to Site by Scottish Power in Early 2018

To view this report in full please follow the following link. https://www.scribd.com/document/447752971/Making-Places

Or Scan this QR Code to see a Pdf o the Full Making Places Report prepared by the Practice for The Pollokshields Trust following funding from A+DS

Russel Lamb + Tim Simmons open up the Container in 2018

Dai the Devine - Seving Kulfi Ice at Ready Steady Grow in the Summer of 2019 before being tasked with finding the KInning Burn Running under the site and providing the line shown on the Route/ Master Plan.

The Conservatory and Gazebo were able to be created by the hard physical graft of Samuel McMenamin who's work ethic did not involve very much tea.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Deck built

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Gazebo repaired and completed following Vandalism - Bracing put back in place to restrengthen where structural members hacked.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Planters + Containerised imported soil to avoid in ground - lead affecting Harvestable herbs

Julia Bauer + Volunteers - remove a tree stump to pour a foundation for the original Bowling Club's cast Iron Gatepost

Producing food

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Julia Bauer New decl at rear of Container from Pallet planks to remove trip hazards.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 new entry gateway with Huda and family as lockdown eases

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Plants + Planting seedlings brought from home

March 23 d 2020 Mark MAKERS STOPS GATES ARE CLOSED TIME FOR SOME GUERILlA SIGN BOARDING + thence 16 weeks of solo working under Lockdown rules.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy

Temporary Container Storage and Growing space - A Conservatory from second hand windows. Begun in 2019 by Andrew + Sammy McMenamin + completed solo in Lockdown 2020

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Creating an overhang to protect glazed screen made the year before from gifted second hand windows and to shade external seating

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy insulating and waterproofing conservatory Roof from gifted materials.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Working with Mrs Macs doors to create decorative Panels - later Vandalised

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Finishing Glazed screen to Conservatory to allow for Plant Growth

Green House / Future Conservatory finished with Bat / Bird Boxes - May 2020

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Overhang continues

Fashioning rain water goods from standard sections to allow for roof water harvesting for Plants

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy seds and seedlings for conservatory

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Creating temporary cloches from Tenement windows

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 by Andrew + Holly McAvoy Whilst panting the rhubarb bed - a Bowlers pipe appears .

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly builds a deck

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly builds a deck and practices on line PE exercise

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Finishing the Conservatory

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly builds a deck

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Finishing the Conservatory

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Finishing the Conservatory with yet more seedling shelves

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly keeps the seedlings alive

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly plants the conservatory overhang and Glazed screen now completed.

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly tends the pants

Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Repairing the hedge trimmer ready for removal of hedge to begin new gateway to MM

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Putting back the structural bracing removed by vandals and creating seating under Gazebo

Lock down tasks 1 - 12 CREATING THE TOOL LIBRARY after 12 months of failing Volunteer Programme and Stig of the Dump sequence chaos. Small storage Container emptied, repaired, extended at rear Scraped and Painted for ongoing use.

Andrews Kitchen Shelves used to organise Tools

Our Kitchen Shelves built and installed

Tools organised

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Andrew + Holly New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner

Holly McAvoy getting stuck in to creating the new Pond and establishing a footing for native Rhizome based Plants via redundant Bread Crates being skipped.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner

Rhizomes for Pond gathered in evening from local Ponds and Cuttings from Andrews Allotment.

Edging the Pond with Mrs Macs Kitchen Pantry Bricks and hedge trimmings as HedgeHog and amphibian shade and shelter and to restrain and protect the edge of the New Butile Rubber Membrane

Outmoded + Redundant Shopping Trolleys commodified

Deconstructed Shopping Trolleys in Lockdown to make stone Filled Cages for route Growth and Ecology in new Pond

in Lockdown to make stone Filled Cages for route Growth and Ecology in new Pond

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner and deconstructed Warehouse cast off's

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Entrance gate planting zones established

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 New Pond created in Lockdown 2020 with new Heavy duty liner and deconstructed Warehouse cast off's and plant cuttings gathered on evening walks with a trowel

As Lockdown eases Holly invites her cousin Rachel to help out.

Lockdown tasks 1 -12 Participatory Budget Programme allows for purchase of Tools for Tool library

Seedlings from home needing transplanting

Lockdown tasks 1 -12 Participatory Budget Programme allows for purchase of Tools for Tool library

Lockdown tasks. 1 - 12 Completing the Rain water harvesting

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly + Dad keeping things growing whilst we are the only ones on site.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly + Dad Lockdown tasks 1- 12 Holly + Dad Improving edges and planting areas with Mrs Macs Kitchen bricks and Boy racer cast off's

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly + Dad keeping things growing whilst we are the only ones on site.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly + Dad keeping things growing.

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly + Dad new planters

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Julia Bauer to the rescue from early June 2020

Lockdown tasks 1 - 12 Holly McAvoy + Rachel Henery put the plant structure in place

Lockdown Tasks 1 -12 Space for a celebratory gateway Julia Bauer to the rescue

Julia works with Yasser's Children to remove Hedgerow Roots at entry to create Planting area

Raised Growing Beds and tyre Planters completed awaiting separation fence

Andy Draws up Yaser's idea for separating the usable Green from HGV's awaiting a Proper fence

Huda + Yaser and new Arrival visit the new Lockdown Gateway they made to agree paint Colour for Julia

ESTABLISHING FOX GLOVE PATCH FOR BEES

CONTINUING TO RECORD - INFRA CREATED ON THE SITE AND NATURAL REGENERATION AS ROUTE MAP / MASTER PLAN

Soul Riders GIFT OF A WORK BENCH - PICKED UP WITH JULIA IN HIRE VAN

Here Comes The Soul Riders - Revolutionise - Cargo Bike and Compost pick up Project .

working with Steve Taylor to fine tune a position for Soul Riders Revolutionise Project .

Lockdown Voluntary work By Andrew + Holly McAvoy Facilitating a firm footing for Soul Riders Storage Container

As Holly and dad completed the conservatory , overhang and rainwater harvesting.

Lock down continues for Holly with painting new Overhang to Protect Gazing of Conservatory

Julia Bauer competes the Entrance gateway amidst Lockdown.

Espalier Orchard established on south west facing wall

29th June 2020 Holly + Julia have completed painting the frontage to the Conservatory

Julia to the rescue again Preparing a flat area and foundation slabs free of Root growth ready for Soul Riders Revolutionise Container arrival

Preparing a flat area and foundation slabs free of Root growth ready for Soul Riders Revolutionise Container arrival

Gatepost restrained for 72 hours to allow new Concrete Foundation to set

Wobbly Gate post foundation excavated to find what was causing Cracking to Cast Iron

Secured Gate post in new Foundation awaiting painting by Julia

Last replacement Floor panels with Juiia Bauer

Insulating wall to New Tool Library area

Creating New Tool Library Roof

New Marine floor to conservatory.

Julia prepares the entrance area for priming

Julia Bauer scraping + priming fence around Entry

Temporary Ply Deck now containerised by the Conservatory exposed to weather over 2 years removed .

Leftover Geotextile Membrane used as separation layer and to hold Insulation of the ground .

Mrs Macs Fireplace Tile Fragments celebrating renovated Gate - June 2020 after replacing floor.

Deconstructing Mrs Mac's Kitchen Doors to crate under counter. - Found Object Panels . In a Nod To Saint Ives Artist - Ben Nicholson and with a deep local narrative imbedded in them. .. they had the keys !

Mrs Macs - Doors deconstructed as decorative panels - Fitted June 2020 after replacing floor.

Mrs Macs - Doors - Creatively deconstructed as decorative panels telling a tenement story - Fitted June 2020 after replacing floor. These were vandalised - in Autumn 2020 Sadly making Julia and Andy discuss an allegation that during Thatcherism - Vandals were put in a Bus from a Foundry in North of England by Allied Foundries who had bought our Macfarlane,s Foundry in Possil Park Glasgow .. and who were told to "smash up all the castings ... to prevent anything from being made there ever again. " Nothing was.... made there again.

Lockdown Tasks 1 - 12 Acknowledging Social Distancing regs and anticipating a return to public opening of the space . Andrew + Julia Build a Community Sofa next to the new Pond from Pallets and second hand timber .