Travelling the highways and byways of the

Glasgow district in this year of Architecture and Design 1999, the city's distinct architectural heritage is hopefully something we can all appreciate. In years to come, the Rock DCM-managed Homes for the Future may take its place alongside the buildings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and

Alexander ''Greek'' Thomson, when we next celebrate their achievements.

A multi-disciplinary design and construction management comp-any established in 1993, ROCK DCM's remit is well suited to Homes for the Future. ''The company was originally formed to specifically address the needs of clients commissioning high

quality urban development and public realm projects,'' explained Norrie Innes, ROCK DCM's managing director.

''We achieved this by attracting key personnel with unrivalled talents and experience in both the consulting and construction sides of the industry.''

Winner of the Civic Trust

Centre Vision Award 1997 for the Kilmarnock Town Centre Project, and placed second in the international design competition for Buchanan Street, the company has now become involved in project management. Glasgow City of Architecture and Design 1999 has so far afforded ROCK two opportunities to exercise its expertise.

Following the company's

success with Homes for the Future, the Five Spaces project, aimed at local communities, is transforming five derelict and under-developed sites across the city. ''ROCK is the contracts

manager for four of these five spaces,'' said David McAllister, principal architect and project manager. ''The intention is to

create exciting new public spaces for local community use.''

The inspiration for the #2.8m project has come from a successful public spaces initiative in one of Europe's architectural centres of excellence, Barcelona. In addition to the creation of ''new and innovative'' public spaces in Govanhill, Possilpark, Whiteinch, Saracen Cross and Graham Square, the project will generate local jobs in the landscaping and construction industries.

Following initial training in construction and landscaping skills, 23 Glasgow workers have already been placed at the Five Spaces sites. The project offers Intermediate Labour Market employment for one year, through the New Deal's Environmental Task Force option. This also provides an opportunity for the employees to ultimately showcase their skills and abilities to potential employers - and, of course, to become proactive in enhancing the local community for future generations.

The five sites were identified by community-based housing associations as important to each local area and its residents. ''The

project uses an innovative approach that ensures artists are integrated into the design teams from concept to project compl-etion,'' said McAllister. ''It will result in a physical and cultural legacy to the people of the five areas, by creating attractive public spaces.''

Using a new contract manag-ement approach, ROCK DCM prepares tender packages across the sites for each phase of development. It's a co-ordinating approach that has proved to be both cost saving and eco-friendly - and a far cry from the heyday of the highrise tower block. Unlike the urban planning conceived by the less-than-imaginative town planners of the 60s, this integrated approach forms workable links and associations with consult-ants, artists and a variety of

disciplines.

''These offer ideas and expertise that are all-encompassing and involve every aspect of urban development and urban spatial treatment,'' said Innes. ''The cornerstone of our design policy has always been that the client and the public should demand and receive the best. Neither party should be forced into compromises on

quality, programme and cost.''

In the future, ROCK DCM will turn its attention to Glasgow's waterfront. The company has recently purchased the old

Washington Flour Mills at

Anderston Quay on the north bank of the River Clyde, and looks set to return it to its former - or indeed new - glory.

''The focus of attention is beginning to return to the waterfront,'' said Guy Logan, ROCK DCM's planning consultant. ''It's hoped that in time, this site will also be brought back to life, either in its existing format or in another guise.''

The company has already been approached from parties within Glasgow's design community who share an obvious enthusiasm to regenerate one of the city's forgotten areas. ''There is an exciting opportunity to do something innovative,'' said Innes. ''The opportunity to work with other cons-

ultants reinforces the ethos of ROCK DCM. The broader the scope of the design team, and the more diverse the talents brought to any project, the better.''

While the Homes for the Future project has been likened to New York's Central Park, Glasgow's riverside is seen as having the potential of San Francisco's waterfront. Already, the Clyde has become a focal point for development, with Norman Foster's Armadillo, Atlantic Quay, Pacific Quay and the latest proposals for

Meadowside Quay.

Homes for the Future has so far attracted visitors from Sweden, Germany, America, Japan and Italy, and upwards of 6000 people are expected to visit between July and October this year. Glasgow may have a strong reputation for the quality of its historic architecture, but the 21st century will also see its urban development and renewal as amongst the most

forward-thinking in Europe.

Undoubtedly, ROCK DCM will play a significant role in this process as it builds on the success of its previous and ongoing

projects.

''Homes for the Future was very much a team effort, and not just within ROCK DCM,'' said

McAllister. ''The collaboration between ROCK, five developers, seven renowned architects, masterplanners Page and Park and the City of Glasgow is now regarded as a model for the redevelopment of other important brownfield sites.''

Sa