Gail Halvorsen
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social
Principal, Halvorsen Architects
Chair, SEDA Land (Scottish Ecological Design Association)
Chair, SEDA Land (Scottish Ecological Design Association)
Although Britain has one of the highest levels of membership of environmental organisations in the world, it has little impact on our closeness to nature. Some interesting thoughts on why in this might be by Miles Richardson in @patrickbarkham.bsky.social's article.
Britain one of least ‘nature-connected’ nations in world – with Nepal the most
Others languishing near bottom of 61-country study include Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and Spain
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Although Britain has one of the highest levels of membership of environmental organisations in the world, it has little impact on our closeness to nature. Some interesting thoughts on why in this might be by Miles Richardson in @patrickbarkham.bsky.social's article.
Glad someone is talking sense about this very popular local venue. Yet again a knee-jerk reaction by a local authority to demolish. And Jocelyn doesn't even mention the embodied carbon aspect. Demolition would be a lose lose scenario.
Why the Brunton Hall, an outstanding example of modern architecture designed by Sir William Kininmonth, friend and colleague of Sir Basil Spence, with a theatre designed by Ian Appleton, must be saved. By AHSS’s Jocelyn Cunliffe
www.ahss.org.uk/news-events/...
www.ahss.org.uk/news-events/...
Brunton Halls: A Modern Scottish Masterpiece Under Threat - Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
In a recent Scotland on Sunday article, AHSS National Conservation Committee Chair Jocelyn Cunliffe calls for the Brunton’s protection and urges East Lothian Council to reconsider.
www.ahss.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Glad someone is talking sense about this very popular local venue. Yet again a knee-jerk reaction by a local authority to demolish. And Jocelyn doesn't even mention the embodied carbon aspect. Demolition would be a lose lose scenario.
Thanks Paloma, Andy, Amy, Finlay, Cormac, Ashleigh, Anna, Ray, Geoff, John and Glo. Without you it would not have happened!
Thanks very much to the impressive team of volunteers who guided over 600 students around the SEDA Green Careers Fair at @uofglasgow.bsky.social ensuring it was such as success.
October 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Thanks Paloma, Andy, Amy, Finlay, Cormac, Ashleigh, Anna, Ray, Geoff, John and Glo. Without you it would not have happened!
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
MASS CLIMATE LOBBY: On Friday, Scotland’s biggest-ever lobby of politicians on climate issues took place in Holyrood.
The event was organised by @sccscot.bsky.social, which we've now joined.
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social attended on behalf of SEDA, lobbying MSPs including @lornaslater.bsky.social
The event was organised by @sccscot.bsky.social, which we've now joined.
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social attended on behalf of SEDA, lobbying MSPs including @lornaslater.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
MASS CLIMATE LOBBY: On Friday, Scotland’s biggest-ever lobby of politicians on climate issues took place in Holyrood.
The event was organised by @sccscot.bsky.social, which we've now joined.
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social attended on behalf of SEDA, lobbying MSPs including @lornaslater.bsky.social
The event was organised by @sccscot.bsky.social, which we've now joined.
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social attended on behalf of SEDA, lobbying MSPs including @lornaslater.bsky.social
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Less than two weeks to go until the @uofglasgow.bsky.social and @scotecodesign.bsky.social green careers fair.
The careers fair will showcase jobs that operate along ecological principles to highlight the wide range that is available.
📅 Wed, 24 Sept 2025
⏰ 10am—4pm
📌 Glasgow University Union
The careers fair will showcase jobs that operate along ecological principles to highlight the wide range that is available.
📅 Wed, 24 Sept 2025
⏰ 10am—4pm
📌 Glasgow University Union
September 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Less than two weeks to go until the @uofglasgow.bsky.social and @scotecodesign.bsky.social green careers fair.
The careers fair will showcase jobs that operate along ecological principles to highlight the wide range that is available.
📅 Wed, 24 Sept 2025
⏰ 10am—4pm
📌 Glasgow University Union
The careers fair will showcase jobs that operate along ecological principles to highlight the wide range that is available.
📅 Wed, 24 Sept 2025
⏰ 10am—4pm
📌 Glasgow University Union
Most careers fairs tend to promote only a narrow range of jobs. The SEDA Green Careers Fair will redress the balance by highlighting openings in regenerative farming, forestry, bioproducts, environmental NGOs, environmental law etc, all of which are growing sectors looking for recruits.
We have now assembled a stellar line up of exhibitors and speakers for the SEDA Green Careers Fair at @uofglasgow.bsky.social on 24 September. The aim is to open students' eyes to jobs they may otherwise have been unaware of in the green economy.
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/ca...
www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/ca...
Green Careers Fair — Scottish Ecological Design Association
SEDA’s green careers fair will run from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 24th September 2025, during the week of the University of Glasgow’s Careers and Internship. The fair will showcase small and medium s...
seda.scot
September 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Most careers fairs tend to promote only a narrow range of jobs. The SEDA Green Careers Fair will redress the balance by highlighting openings in regenerative farming, forestry, bioproducts, environmental NGOs, environmental law etc, all of which are growing sectors looking for recruits.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Remember all that fulminating in the billionaire press about "free speech" (ie their freedom to abuse Muslims, trans people etc with impunity)? Now that people are being arrested for speaking about an issue of the utmost gravity, the self-appointed guardians of liberty have fallen strangely silent.
It's utterly mad.
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 100 arrested across UK at protests related to Palestine Action
Police in London detain scores of people and confiscate placards under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000
www.theguardian.com
July 20, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Remember all that fulminating in the billionaire press about "free speech" (ie their freedom to abuse Muslims, trans people etc with impunity)? Now that people are being arrested for speaking about an issue of the utmost gravity, the self-appointed guardians of liberty have fallen strangely silent.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
It's utterly mad.
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 100 arrested across UK at protests related to Palestine Action
Police in London detain scores of people and confiscate placards under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000
www.theguardian.com
July 20, 2025 at 5:27 AM
It's utterly mad.
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
"Why is it that a tree never moves?"
Atul Shah's provocative and accessible book 'Organic Finance' opens with this powerful poem. Do read!
"Interest rates, exchange rates, stock prices are all numbers which abstract reality and have often been converted into hard facts and supreme gods"
Atul Shah's provocative and accessible book 'Organic Finance' opens with this powerful poem. Do read!
"Interest rates, exchange rates, stock prices are all numbers which abstract reality and have often been converted into hard facts and supreme gods"
June 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
"Why is it that a tree never moves?"
Atul Shah's provocative and accessible book 'Organic Finance' opens with this powerful poem. Do read!
"Interest rates, exchange rates, stock prices are all numbers which abstract reality and have often been converted into hard facts and supreme gods"
Atul Shah's provocative and accessible book 'Organic Finance' opens with this powerful poem. Do read!
"Interest rates, exchange rates, stock prices are all numbers which abstract reality and have often been converted into hard facts and supreme gods"
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
How Scottish society could be transformed by the multiple benefits of intergenerational living.
Full recording and slides of SEDA Land’s Radical Housing Conference Scotland 2025 part 3 now available.
Thanks to partners @agilehomes.bsky.social & @archifringe.bsky.social
seda.scot/radical-hous...
Full recording and slides of SEDA Land’s Radical Housing Conference Scotland 2025 part 3 now available.
Thanks to partners @agilehomes.bsky.social & @archifringe.bsky.social
seda.scot/radical-hous...
June 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
How Scottish society could be transformed by the multiple benefits of intergenerational living.
Full recording and slides of SEDA Land’s Radical Housing Conference Scotland 2025 part 3 now available.
Thanks to partners @agilehomes.bsky.social & @archifringe.bsky.social
seda.scot/radical-hous...
Full recording and slides of SEDA Land’s Radical Housing Conference Scotland 2025 part 3 now available.
Thanks to partners @agilehomes.bsky.social & @archifringe.bsky.social
seda.scot/radical-hous...
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social of @scotecodesign.bsky.social kicks off the Zoomers and Boomers Soirée talking about her experience of living in an intergenerational household at the Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 3.
@agilehomes.bsky.social @archifringe.bsky.social
@agilehomes.bsky.social @archifringe.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 10:38 AM
@gailhalvorsen.bsky.social of @scotecodesign.bsky.social kicks off the Zoomers and Boomers Soirée talking about her experience of living in an intergenerational household at the Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 3.
@agilehomes.bsky.social @archifringe.bsky.social
@agilehomes.bsky.social @archifringe.bsky.social
A thoroughly fascinating evening.
If I was to sum up I would say we need more grassroots initiatives to encourage community activities such as Bristol's Play Street Order; inclusion of intergenerational living in NPF4; and more multi generation cohousing projects.
Thanks to all involved!
If I was to sum up I would say we need more grassroots initiatives to encourage community activities such as Bristol's Play Street Order; inclusion of intergenerational living in NPF4; and more multi generation cohousing projects.
Thanks to all involved!
“A coat hangs by another”: Thanks to all who made Radical Housing Conference Part 3 @archifringe.bsky.social such a success last night.
We were given a 360° view of intergenerational living and housing and how our culture might again embrace it.
Quote comes from ‘A Shared Life’ by Sophie Cook.
We were given a 360° view of intergenerational living and housing and how our culture might again embrace it.
Quote comes from ‘A Shared Life’ by Sophie Cook.
June 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
A thoroughly fascinating evening.
If I was to sum up I would say we need more grassroots initiatives to encourage community activities such as Bristol's Play Street Order; inclusion of intergenerational living in NPF4; and more multi generation cohousing projects.
Thanks to all involved!
If I was to sum up I would say we need more grassroots initiatives to encourage community activities such as Bristol's Play Street Order; inclusion of intergenerational living in NPF4; and more multi generation cohousing projects.
Thanks to all involved!
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Can Scotland’s housing emergency be solved by more intergenerational living?
Come along to our Zoomers and Boomers event at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh tomorrow at 6pm.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
Come along to our Zoomers and Boomers event at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh tomorrow at 6pm.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 3
Get ready for the third installment of the Radical Housing Conference in Scotland, where we'll be diving deep into all things housing activi
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Can Scotland’s housing emergency be solved by more intergenerational living?
Come along to our Zoomers and Boomers event at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh tomorrow at 6pm.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
Come along to our Zoomers and Boomers event at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh tomorrow at 6pm.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
Looking forward to chairing this event to try and understand why, in Scotland, why intergenerational living is not more common and why we don't value the benefits it can bring. I benefitted enormously from growing up in the same house as my grandparents.
Two days to go until Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 2, in Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh: 11 June, 6-9pm.
Final speakers confirmed — Julia Behrendt and Sehrish Azad will tell us about the pros and cons of intergenerational living, from first-hand experience.
Final speakers confirmed — Julia Behrendt and Sehrish Azad will tell us about the pros and cons of intergenerational living, from first-hand experience.
June 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Looking forward to chairing this event to try and understand why, in Scotland, why intergenerational living is not more common and why we don't value the benefits it can bring. I benefitted enormously from growing up in the same house as my grandparents.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Renowned Scottish singer-songwriter and environmentalist Zoë Bestel is performing a version of Utopia, live, at Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 3, in Augustine United Church on Wed 11 June, 6-9pm. Sophie Cooke will read a newly-commissioned poem at the same Zoomers and Boomers Soireé.
Utopia - Zoë Bestel // Official Visualiser
YouTube video by Zoë Bestel
youtu.be
June 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Renowned Scottish singer-songwriter and environmentalist Zoë Bestel is performing a version of Utopia, live, at Radical Housing Conference Scotland Part 3, in Augustine United Church on Wed 11 June, 6-9pm. Sophie Cooke will read a newly-commissioned poem at the same Zoomers and Boomers Soireé.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Fraser/Livingstone Architects’ Robin Livingstone will talk about intergenerational living and how this can work in practice, through the lens of the zero-carbon, multi-generational community he’s developing on the edge of Forres in Moray.
SEDA Land/Architecture Fringe event, 11 June, 6-9pm.
SEDA Land/Architecture Fringe event, 11 June, 6-9pm.
May 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Fraser/Livingstone Architects’ Robin Livingstone will talk about intergenerational living and how this can work in practice, through the lens of the zero-carbon, multi-generational community he’s developing on the edge of Forres in Moray.
SEDA Land/Architecture Fringe event, 11 June, 6-9pm.
SEDA Land/Architecture Fringe event, 11 June, 6-9pm.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Students! Looking to enhance your CV and make a positive impact? Join SEDA LAND as a volunteer at this September’s Green Careers Fair! No prior experience required—just bring enthusiasm & eagerness to learn.
Email land@seda.scot for more info!
Email land@seda.scot for more info!
May 16, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Students! Looking to enhance your CV and make a positive impact? Join SEDA LAND as a volunteer at this September’s Green Careers Fair! No prior experience required—just bring enthusiasm & eagerness to learn.
Email land@seda.scot for more info!
Email land@seda.scot for more info!
We'd love to hear your views about intergenerational living – something mostly lost in the UK as we gravitate towards the nuclear family. Can architecture be part of the solution?
What does it take to create thriving intergenerational communities? Find out at Radical Housing Scotland Part 3: the Zoomers & Boomers soirée, part of @archifringe.bsky.social.
📌Augustine United Church, George IV Br, Edinburgh
📅 1 1 June
⏰ 6-9pm
🍷& 🥪
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
📌Augustine United Church, George IV Br, Edinburgh
📅 1 1 June
⏰ 6-9pm
🍷& 🥪
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
May 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
We'd love to hear your views about intergenerational living – something mostly lost in the UK as we gravitate towards the nuclear family. Can architecture be part of the solution?
We were so lucky to have such incredible artist performing at the conference. Thank you Beth and Chris!
BBC Alba folk singer of the year 2022 and 2024 Beth Malcolm and poet Chris Powici reminded the Radical Housing Conference audience that houses aren’t just just bricks and mortar or investments but homes where people live, love and laugh. Thanks to Beth and Chris for your beautiful and moving pieces.
May 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
We were so lucky to have such incredible artist performing at the conference. Thank you Beth and Chris!
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
SEDA Land thanks all those who came to Birnam Arts for the Radical Housing Conference on Friday. From activists and timber home manufacturers, to investors in construction and retrofit hubs, we managed to assemble a fantastic group. Thanks to @agilehomes.bsky.social for bringing the event North.
May 7, 2025 at 2:53 PM
SEDA Land thanks all those who came to Birnam Arts for the Radical Housing Conference on Friday. From activists and timber home manufacturers, to investors in construction and retrofit hubs, we managed to assemble a fantastic group. Thanks to @agilehomes.bsky.social for bringing the event North.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
In parts of this septic isle, fresh water has become first undrinkable, then unswimmable, then untouchable. How did it come to this—and where do we go from here?
Must read about the global fight to halt abuse of our rivers by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social, extracted from his book Is A River Alive?
Must read about the global fight to halt abuse of our rivers by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social, extracted from his book Is A River Alive?
Is this river alive? Robert Macfarlane on the lives, deaths and rights of our rivers
As pollution levels hit record highs and fresh water becomes ‘the new oil’, is it time to radically reimagine our relationship to the natural world?
www.theguardian.com
April 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
In parts of this septic isle, fresh water has become first undrinkable, then unswimmable, then untouchable. How did it come to this—and where do we go from here?
Must read about the global fight to halt abuse of our rivers by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social, extracted from his book Is A River Alive?
Must read about the global fight to halt abuse of our rivers by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social, extracted from his book Is A River Alive?
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
On World Press Freedom Day, it emerges Israel has arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi in the Occupied West Bank.
Israeli forces arrest prominent Palestinian journalist in West Bank
Ali al-Samoudi, who has worked extensively with Western media, was detained during what the Israeli military said were counter-terrorism raids.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
On World Press Freedom Day, it emerges Israel has arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi in the Occupied West Bank.
Reposted by Gail Halvorsen
Access to a safe, civil, low carbon, affordable home is not a lot to ask for, but the housing crisis has cut off supply!
So it's time to get radical, because doing what we always did, will only get us what we always got.
Are you a housing radical?
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
So it's time to get radical, because doing what we always did, will only get us what we always got.
Are you a housing radical?
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
April 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Access to a safe, civil, low carbon, affordable home is not a lot to ask for, but the housing crisis has cut off supply!
So it's time to get radical, because doing what we always did, will only get us what we always got.
Are you a housing radical?
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
So it's time to get radical, because doing what we always did, will only get us what we always got.
Are you a housing radical?
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/radical-ho...
Great offer for some of the best speakers on housing in Scotland!
April 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Great offer for some of the best speakers on housing in Scotland!