October 30 2024

East Renfrewshire Council is pressing ahead with scaled-back plans for a new Eastwood Leisure Centre and Theatre after agreeing to reduce the scope of the consented project.

Stallan-Brand has revisited its 2021 proposals to account for the reduced brief, pushing back the built footprint following a decision to refurbish the current council headquarters in the park. Set against an east-west landscaped route the smaller-scale solution will connect the HQ with the C-listed Eastwood House, which will engage directly with the new building via a southerly social space rather than a pool, games hall and theatre dock as before.

In a press statement, Stallan-Brand wrote: "A mineral composite cladding system to the south is proposed to complement the warmth and richness of Eastwood House’s stonework and relate well to the surrounding woodland setting. Two core panel sizes, with three different hues/tones and two different textures, have been selected to create a rich composition and hierarchical sub-order within a regular facade grid. The format, proportion and placement of windows, combined with the expressed entrance zone and central stair provide variation and richness to echo Eastwood House...

"This will all come alive in changing light conditions as softer or stronger shadows highlight the facade detail - parts of the south elevation will also act as a 'canvas' capturing the shadows of the canopies of the closest mature trees."

Secondary facades to the east, west and north will use profiled metal cladding, hitting the ground with a low brick base course. Landscape enhancements include new planting to soften the impact of the new additions.

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Stefan on 31 Oct 2024 at 13:41 PM

Think these plans need to go back to the drawing board with emphasis on better quality more sympathetic external materials and re-use of existing structures. The council in east-ren haven't been able to repair local roads in 20-30 years which are like tank tracks, so should be mindful of pursuing a folly when there are perfectly adequate facilities in place which would just benefit from an upgrade

#2 Posted by Iain on 6 Nov 2024 at 17:29 PM

Stefano, you maybe right about the leisure centre but one thing East Ren have spent money on in the last few years is on resurfacing local roads. Scores of them have been resurfaced in the last 4 years.

#3 Posted by TARA on 19 Nov 2024 at 11:07 AM

I find this utterly depressing! Nothing wrong with the building per say, but it is pretty much identical to the one that is already there! I know there are M+E issues but surely at least some of the existing building could have been retroffited? Plus teh real opportunity here is to improve Eastwood Park. It is essentially some open space with a huge car park, school and leisure complex. What about placemaking? Why is the car park retained? this is a well connected location. Why is driving still encouraged and facilitated? This is not a dig at Stallan Brand, but the lack of insight from East Ren.

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