Ideas competition leads last ditch effort to save Cumbernauld town centre
June 23 2023
The Glasgow Institute of Architects has launched an ideas competition to stave off the demolition of Cumbernauld town centre following the rejection of a listing request by Historic Environment Scotland.
Re-imagining Cumbernauld invites architects to envision alternative uses for the ailing megastructure, retaining the town's distinct identity amidst growing homogeneity.
Embracing retrofit solutions that work with the embodied carbon of the post-war design the competition seeks to spark a broader debate around North Lanarkshire Council's plan to replace the building with a 'town hub'.
In a press statement, the institute wrote: "Ideas are sought for how the existing megastructure might be retained in whole (or part) to address the community’s needs for ‘transformational change’.
"The structure is one of Scotland’s most significant, albeit controversial structures. It is an icon of Cumbernauld’s history as a post-war new town; and Cumbernauld’s unique importance and distinctiveness as a place comes from this legible pattern of development and a series of other significant post-war structures that are located in and around the town centre."
A judging panel will look for solutions which play to Cumbernauld's strengths amidst competition from other local centres, prioritising community use over national retailers.
A closing date for entries has been set for 1 September with the winner to be announced on 31 October.
The main drawing is provided courtesy of Professor Gordon Murray PPRIAS who will help judge the competition.
13 Comments
PLEASE STOP TIME WASTING!
Read the above article for a more balanced view. The people complaining about the town centre have a very valid point, but the "town hub" that North Lanarkshire Council are proposing won´t be any better. It will also be badly maintained and neglected and will fall very quickly into a dilapidated state. Maybe NLC should consider rebuilding the Golden Eagle Hotel, which was an integral part of the original town centre and was demolished when the building was classified as unsafe. Please see the photo in the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/OldCumbernauldPictures/photos/this-picture-shows-the-former-golden-eagle-hotel-at-cumbernauld-town-centre-look/848637238576375/?_rdr
Post your comments
Back to June 2023
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share