New Practice
Experts in place working across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
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Kinning Park Complex

 

Kinning Park Complex

RIAS Award 2024 winning redevelopment of run-down Edwardian school building into a new functional, flexible and accessible community space, commended for New Practice’s “community first” approach, and how careful listening has led to cost-effective and discrete interventions that maximise social value.

Short film about the redevelopment of Kinning Park Complex, featuring interviews with Nicola Sturgeon MSP | First Minister of Scotland and more. Premiered by Dezeen on 6th April 2022.

The name, Kinning Park Complex, refers to both an organisation and to a place. That place is an old red sandstone building - built in 1916 as an addition to Lambhill Street Primary School.

In 1976 the building was converted into the Kinning Park Neighbourhood Centre, run by the local council.

 
 
 
Four sets of stacked chairs sat in front of a pale blue wall.
An architectural section drawing of the original design for Kinning Park Complex building.
A staircase, with a bucket sat on a step in the centre ground, collecting rainwater from a leak.
 
 

The centre provided local residents with vital space for gathering and shared learning.

Slated for closure in 1996, a group of the centre's users and supporters took matters into their own hands and began an occupation of the building.

For 55 days and nights the group stayed in the centre, 24 hours a day.

 
 
An old photograph of the exterior of the building, showing two people on a ladder placing a banner.

Finally an agreement was reached with the local council, and the centre remained open under the new management of a community organisation - Kinning Park Complex.

 
 
The interior of a large function room, showing people gathered around tables in conversation.
 
 

Today Kinning Park Complex is a vibrant hub of community activity.

The old school dining and sports halls host community meals and workshops. Converted classrooms on the top floor provide studio space for a number of resident artist and charitable organisations.

Since 1997 Kinning Park Complex (KPC) have been renting the building from the council, and have been unable to make the significant changes needed to keep their building habitable.

 
 
The interior of a roof space, showing the structure and roof lights. The walls and structure show damage.

We have been working with KPC since 2017 to find a way to make sure their building is functional, flexible and accessible for generations to come.

 
 

We began our process by speaking to the people the building currently supports - tenants, local people, and the team who run the space. These conversations created a clear brief for us to answer.

The most pressing concern was funding. Our initial design study provided weight to KPC's Big Lottery bid.

This bid was a success. In November 2018 £1,000,000 was announced - allowing KPC to move forward and seek additional resource to fund this capital development project.

 
 
 
A small internal workspace, with a person crouched beside desks.
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A chalkboard showing notices.
A growing space with a plastic greenhouse in the centre ground.
 
 

Ownership of the building has now been transferred to Kinning Park Complex SCIO. This process was supported by Scottish Land Fund and Development Trusts Association Scotland.

In March 2019 additional funding was secured from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. This award, along with the amounts secured from the Big Lottery and other funding partners, represents validation of KPC's status as an organisation and their solid future.

An architectural illustration showing the interior of a large multi-use space. In the foreground a child and adult are playing. People are sat at table and chairs in the background.
 
 
 
An architectural illustration of the exterior of the building. In the foreground, people are travelling on foot and bike past the building.
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Our approach to the building is one of adaptive re-use. Making the most of the building's heritage and existing structure to create functional, flexible and accessible community and creative workspace across all three storeys.

 
 

Working in collaboration with Armour Construction Consultants, David Narro Associates, Atelier Ten and Max Fordham LLP.

Clark Contracts were appointed as main contractor with works beginning in August 2020.

The building reached practical completion in March 2022 and re-opened its doors to the community in Spring 2022.

An architectural illustration of the interior of the building, showing the entrance. In the foreground, people are walking at ground level. In the background someone is walking down stairs.
 
 
An architectural illustration showing the interior of the roof space of the building. The foreground shows an opening between floors, with people shown using the top floor space in the background.
 
 
 
 

Kinning Park Complex in the press:

Architects’ Journal
ArchDaily
Azure Magazine
Dezeen
ICON [Issue 208: Summer 2022]
Wallpaper

 
A multi-storey sandstone building with a bright yellow metal fence.
 
Two orange chairs with various objects on and around them in-front of a yellow wall.
 
A group of people sitting listening to a man talk in a pink and white room.
 
Tables with people chatting, having tea and cake.
 
A man standing in a building by a railing, admiring the skylight.
 
 

  • Client: Kinning Park Complex SCIO

  • Collaborators: Armour Construction Consultants, Atelier Ten, David Narro Associates, Max Fordham LLP, James Martin Associates

  • Location: Glasgow, Scotland

  • Completion: 2022

  • Funding: The Big Lottery, Scottish Government RCGF, Robertson Trust, Climate Challenge Fund

  • Photography: Will Scott Photography

  • Videography: Pretend Lovers