AiA Art in Architecture is an artist/architect led design practice. It was formed in August 2005 from the original practice set up in 2001 by Shaeron Averbuch under a sole trader status. The organization expanded when Ross McEwan formally joined AiA in 2004 with the business moving into larger office premises in Leith, Edinburgh and adopting the legal status of an LLP, Limited Liability Partnership. (CV’s for both Partners are included in the appendices).

AiA is committed to a practice philosophy which emphasises the need for imaginative and exciting modern design solutions. Concept design solutions and master plans evolve from a thorough understanding of client and end user needs and in response to the context of the site and surrounding environment. Environmental design solutions and Sustainability are of high consideration when developing design proposals, however, these issues and ideals are viewed in the context of a wider holistic approach to AiA’s ethos for urban design and environmental improvements in inner city regeneration. This means that AiA views these issues as significant but not paramount to the delivery of successful projects or good design solutions in isolation of other contributory and contextual influences.

This artist/architect led design practice is a contemporary model currently being chosen by forward looking commissioning bodies, organizations, enterprise companies and local authorities carrying out regeneration projects in the UK. This is based on the success of UK and European city and town centres where high quality design, public art and community participation are the focus and core strategy for local regeneration programmes wishing to create a new and unique identity for an area. (Barcelona, Bilboa, Lille, Bordeaux, Genoa, Copehagen, Malmo, Cardiff, Newcastle, Coventry).

To deliver this design ethos, AiA draws in a network of complimentary specialist Professionals including Landscape Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers (all disciplines), lighting designers, ecologists, artists, craftsmen and contractors. This enables AiA to provide a comprehensive design service covering all phases of project work from planning and pre-investment studies through to design and implementation. AiA’s integrated professional approach provides scope for identifying sites and environments suitable for strategic cultural design development and regeneration. Consequently, this enables AiA to provide alternative solutions for animating areas and creating new green spaces out of sites not necessarily identified as “problems” demanding solutions but that do however present contemporary “opportunities” with great scope in their own right.

AiA encourages and facilitates the inclusion of public participation in all stages of the planning and making process. It is a vital component of the ethos of the practice to involve varied community participation at all stages of the project. It is important for the end users to feel that projects are realized and that their inputs have been made, allowing each local community the opportunity to participate in and influence the creation of the local identity. This gives the community a sense of ownership and pride in completed projects.

Both partners in AiA see the importance of Design education from primary school to post-graduate University level as a vital source of information and inspiration. AiA are fully committed as practitioners to CPD (continuing professional development) and regularly participate and facilitate workshops in aspects of Urban Design. In our teaching capacity we regularly visit European cities and towns with study groups to investigate and research current trends.

AiA has considerable experience of assembling arts and creative industry concepts as part of wider local frameworks and strategies. Working to a community-driven agenda, AiA has contributed significant input both locally and across the City of Edinburgh, including recent contributions to the Area Development Framework for the Edinburgh Waterfront.