icecream architecture

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icecream architecture

We deliver design, consultation and participation projects that work for public bodies and community

icecream architecture is a team of Community-led Facilitators, Environmental Artists, Graphic Designers, Architects, Illustrators, Product Designers and Strategic Thinkers. We engineer and deliver reactive solutions that boost regeneration, enterprise, public art, communication, youth engagement, funding potential and community involvement; each with the core aim to motivate and mobilise civic pride. icecream architecture has developed through its rapport between community groups, artists and Local Authorities. There has emerged a substantial track record for integrating these groups throughout the delivery process and producing carefully considered and initiated proposals, strategies and artworks. The team consists of enthusiastic and conscientious professionals, trained in Scotland with independent and group experience in the following disciplines; Architecture, Sculpture and Environmental Art, Product design, Graphics and Illustration. The group operates through a combined passion to explore how sharing and applying these skills can put people at the heart of decision making and creativity within their communities. icecream architecture was established in 2009 by Desmond Bernie and Sarah Frood after many years of collaborative work. It has been recognised as an innovative and forward thinking organisation within Scottish architecture and engagement / community design through winning both the Public Vote and the Judges choice for the Scottish Design Impact Awards 2014 and Scottish Social Enterprise Inspiring Youth Award 2014 and the UK Social Enterprise Inspiring Youth Award.

29/10/2026

Come and discover the Human Library in Sligo!

What if, instead of borrowing a book, you could meet a person and hear their story?

Our Human Books are volunteers who share their lived experiences, inviting Readers to ask questions, challenge assumptions and discover new perspectives.

Everyone is welcome to register! Bring your curiosity, listen with an open mind and join a conversation where questions are encouraged and respect comes first.

Not sure what to expect?
Join our launch event on Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 for a taster of the Human Library method.

Our programme dates:
• 5 Dec 2026
• 16 Jan 2027
• 30 Jan 2027
• 27 Feb 2027
• 3 April 2027
• 17 April 2027
• 15 May 2027
• 12 June 2027

All sessions are free and planned for 2-5:45 pm at The Nest, Custom House Quay, Sligo.

Register to become a Reader and meet different Books at each session: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13njWzWVS4_NBEMphLUkDmQclHMZ0Kr7TD55mpGi5WTc/prefill

Find out more at www.humansinsligo.ie or email [email protected] if you have questions or would like to discuss accessibility requirements.

Come along, get curious and discover the power of a conversation. We look forward to welcoming you!

A project supported by PEACEPLUS; a programme managed by the Special EU programme Body (SEUPB).

29/10/2026

A brilliant day out with our Turning the Sod community groups, learning directly from inspiring community project in Abbeyleix, co. Laois!

27/10/2026

Live in North Toryglen – ‘the Circus’? You’ll know the area has changed a lot in recent years!
We want to hear what it’s like living here today. What changes have you noticed, and how have they affected you?
Complete our short survey for a chance to win a £50 voucher!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NToryglen See less

14/10/2026

Brilliant news for Buckhaven! The five year Buckhaven Heritage project has been awarded £1.2m funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. In 2024-5, icecream architecture researched and co-developed a programme of creative interpretation, community heritage activities and hands-on traditional skills training and engagement with the community which this funding will help to deliver.

These heritage interpretation, engagement and skills programmes will complement the wider regeneration project organised by the Buckhaven Heritage Partnership Board of local community organisations, Fife Council and Fife Historic Buildings Trust. Capital works proposals will restore key historic buildings, improve public spaces and support building repairs. Together, the project will connect heritage activity with investment in the town, offering a framework for Buckhaven’s heritage to be shared, understood and shaped by local people. You can learn more about the project on our website.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Fife Council, Fife Historic Buildings Trust, CLEAR, Community Trade Hub Limited

24/09/2026

07/08/2026

📣𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆!📣
We are seeking an Artist in Residence to contribute creative research exploring heritage materials in the River Park in Levenmouth, Fife.

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬: 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: www.icecreamarchitecture.com/vacancies
𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘: Responses should be sent to 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀@𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.𝗰𝗼𝗺 by 9am on Tues 18th August.

The residency is an opportunity for a locally-connected creative to spend dedicated time within the River Park, exploring its landscape, ecologies, communities, past industries and stories through material research and community engagement.
Artists working across visual arts, socially engaged practice, environmental arts, craft, interdisciplinary practice and other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.

The residency will be delivered between August - November 2026.

The Leven Programme The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland Fife Council Historic Environment Scotland

04/08/2026

Open call: River Park Artist Residency!

We are seeking an Artist in Residence to contribute creative research exploring heritage materials in the River Park in Levenmouth, Fife.

The residency is an opportunity for a locally-based or locally-connected creative to spend dedicated time within the River Park, exploring its landscape, ecologies, communities, past industries and stories through material research and community engagement.

During the residency, the artist will produce a body of research and ideas considering potential material uses, patterns, textures, shapes, forms or processes that could be incorporated into interpretation and public art for the River Park.
Artists working across visual arts, socially engaged practice, environmental arts, craft, interdisciplinary practice and other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.

The residency will be delivered between August - November 2026.

For further information on the residency and how to apply visit: https://www.icecreamarchitecture.com/vacancies/

Questions and responses should be sent to [email protected] by 9am on Tues 18th August.

10/07/2026

Recently we've had the privilege of working with communities across County Kildare, delivering the Turning the Sod programme in partnership with County Kildare Leader Partnership CLG., . Through a series of 10 facilitated training sessions, the programme supports local people to explore what makes their place unique, identify shared ambitions, visit inspirational communities and shape their own practical projects for the future.

It was fantastic to Launch the Next Chapter of the programme this week, bringing communities together to reflect on what's been achieved so far and to look ahead to what's next.

At the event, we also launched 3 SMART Community Strategies for Johnstown Bridge–Tirmoghan, Carbury–Derrinturn and Rathangan. Each strategy has been developed through months of community training, discussions, local research and collaboration, and will help guide community-led action in the years ahead.

The journey now continues with a new round of Turning the Sod training running from August 2026 – February 2027. We can’t wait to get started!

Find out more and explore the new strategies at www.turningthesod.ie

Turning the Sod is a strategic community training and capacity building initiative that is fully funded by the 2023 - 2027 LEADER Programme in Kildare. The training is being delivered in seven rural communities across Kildare.
Government of Ireland Kildare County Council

30/04/2026

From the Levenmouth area? Get involved in telling local stories along the River Park!

🌊✨ Be part of something special along the River Leven!

We’re inviting everyone to join a series of hands-on workshops celebrating the stories, heritage, and voices of the River Leven and the villages that line its banks.

These relaxed, creative sessions will take place in local community venues and are open to all, whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just discovering the area. Together, we’ll explore memories, history, and ideas, bringing them to life through shared creativity.

No experience is needed just curiosity and a willingness to get involved!

Come along, meet others, and help shape a living story of the river and its communities. 🌿

Keep an eye on here for dates in May and June.

NatureScot Net Zero Scotland Historic Environment Scotland The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland Archaeology Scotland Moving House Films icecream architecture

03/04/2026

Join our team!

We’re hiring an Interpretation & Graphic Designer!

Are you a creative, people‑focused designer with a passion for placemaking, heritage and storytelling? We are looking for a creative, dynamic, innovative and experienced Interpretation Designer who is genuinely passionate about engaging communities from a variety of backgrounds in design, interpretation and heritage projects.

➡ www.icecreamarchitecture.com/vacancies/34-vacancy-interpretation-graphic-designer

What you’ll be doing:

Manage and deliver interpretation, public engagement and place‑based projects with a strong focus on visual storytelling.

Curate and co‑write narratives with communities to highlight local identity across social, environmental and built heritage.

Design and implement interpretation tools — from mapboards and wayfinding to websites, apps, video, VR/AR and comms materials.

Oversee design, specification, procurement and installation of physical and digital interpretation or public‑art elements.

Lead research, engagement and creative workshops, turning insights into design recommendations and actionable project plans.

Manage clients, stakeholders, budgets and risks while driving projects to completion and securing future work through leads and tenders.

Working hours of between 22.5 - 30 hours per week.
Located in Glasgow, with a flexible working policy to accommodate a mixture of in-office and some remote working.
Deadline: 5pm, Thursday 9th April

Learn more about the role and how to apply here:

https://www.icecreamarchitecture.com/vacancies/34-vacancy-interpretation-graphic-designer

Address

Edinburgh

Website

http://www.icecreamarchitecture.com/

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