Archial, one of the country’s largest architectural practices and a member of the global Ingenium Group of companies, has given a cautious welcome to the Scottish Government’s commitment to take forward a major new pipeline of transport, education and health infrastructure projects, worth up to £2.5 billion through the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model as announced in its 2011-12 Draft Budget.

However, Bob Hall, Joint Managing Director at Archial, warned that, given that the Scottish Government’s capital budget will fall by some £800 million in cash terms next year, compared to 2010-11 – representing a real terms cut of 26 per cent – cuts on capital spending will mean that the economic environment for architects in Scotland will remain challenging throughout this period.


The Scottish Government’s 2011-12 Draft Budget proposes major investments to support national infrastructure priorities, including initial work on the new Forth Crossing, investment in the South Glasgow Hospitals – both to be delivered through traditional capital funding – and Scotland's Schools for the Future building programme.

In addition, Ministers propose a new pipeline of revenue-funded NPD investment to be delivered by the Scottish Futures Trust in partnership with the Scottish Government, local government, NHS boards and other public bodies.

Mr Hall said: “Whilst Finance Secretary John Swinney’s response to a deep cut in Scotland’s capital budget by transferring £100m from this year’s current expenditure to next year to supplement capital spending is to be welcomed, it is evident that architects will be required to respond to the new economic reality within which we operate by thinking creatively to identify innovative ways of achieving clients’ goals and seeking solutions to their various challenges.”

Archial is an international architectural specialist with public and private-sector clients. Its diverse portfolio includes work in corporate, education, government, healthcare, industrial, mixed-use, residential, retail and transport sectors and it employs approximately 300 employees in offices throughout England and Scotland.

The award winning Archial organisation is recognised for delivering intelligent solutions that combine creative excellence with commercial success.

(GK)