GIA Sustainability Talks and Tours 2026_01_ Abhainn

The GIA Sustainability committee is excited to kick start our recurring and successful Talks and Tours programme 2026. Our first talk will be presented by Mhairi Grant, of Paper Igloo, who recently received a GIA Sustainability Award for their project Abhainn.

Evening Format:

Mhairi Grant of Paper Igloo – Architect and Passivhaus Designer for Abhainn – will present a short summary of the project, and then there will be a panel discussion and the opportunity to ask questions of her, her colleague Martin McCrae, and their client, Denise Bryson of Avongreen Abodes.

The event is being kindly hosted by BDP Architects, Glasgow office. Please come along for lively discussion with refreshments provided.

Project Background:

Abhainn is sustainable living in a connected community. A rare collection of three contemporary, low-energy homes nestled within a larger urban area, Abhainn provides a peaceful retreat from bustling city life.

Begun in 2014, this project was a true labour of love for this family developer client. Between planning obstacles, access and service restrictions, and Covid lockdowns, there was a lot to navigate. And it was their first construction project.

Designed as a cohesive family of certified Passivhaus dwellings on a Brownfield site, and delivered on a low budget, the project prioritises the highest standards of sustainability, energy efficiency and comfort. This project is more than an exemplar in sustainable architecture – it demonstrates that environmentally responsible design can be poetic, inspiring, and transformative.

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Host or Publisher Glasgow Institute of Architects