This looks truly awful. Hardly what you would call a 'civic hub'. This project should be seen as a fantastic opportunity to give the people of Johnston a wonderful piece of new civic architecture. Something that can redefine the town. Instead, it appears to be a mish-mash of undefined, poorly elevated, and unresolved, clumsy masses that do not sit well together at all.

Why do we persist in giving important buildings to local councils to design?

Johnston - Completely disagree. I think this design looks very interesting indeed. Do you live in Johnstone or have you actually been there? The current swimming pool is a disgrace and this building would be a proud addition to the town. I think it looks very interesting and is of a human scale which would be welcomed by people like me who live there. Can I see your suggested design?

Alex,
??I'm not sure how I would have an alternative design, as I don't work on the project.
I don't live in Johnstone but have been there, and know the town reasonably well. I'll agree with you that the current swimming pool is a terrible building hardly fit for purpose, however I cannot see anything in the image above that gives me any confidence that this is an appropriate quality of design. In fact, it looks somewhat like it has been designed by a technician with no architectural ability, no understanding of how a mixed use building needs to be arranged, and a very poor relationship to the urban edges of the site, which includes Ludovic Square.

This is my opinion obviously, and you have yours, however I think Johnstone deserves much better than this.

Well, as a resident of the town, I have discussed with other residents who think this would be positive new building. Not sure that this design does have a 'very poor relationship to the urabn edges of the site'. We actually think that the area would benifit from a modest building such as this. Not sure the town would suit something more bling. Let me know the next time you are in Johnstone and I'll make you a cup of tea.

@Johnston... where do I start? Where do you get such a low opinion of others within your working circle? You, I assume are an Architect / Planner or other senior construction member? As an experienced Technician and also working within other areas of the construction industry, I can completely & confidently disagree with everything you have mentioned to date! Anything is better than what the site was previously used for & should think before you start posting out of touch views online. It may be budget driven, however, what building site isn't nowadays, isn't it more important that the local residents are happy with what they have to look out on to from their place of residence rather than someone who does not & obviously completely out of touch from the working peoples views from within the area? I agree with criticism, so long as constructive and assuming all Technicians have no idea of what they are doing on a daily basis is a complete and utter disservice, considering, Technicians are the ones who do the hard work for the Architects, most Architects cannot detail to which the reliance comes to the Technicians to do the bread and butter jobs for those obviously not in the know (no pointing any fingers here now folks)...

@"Technicians are the ones who do the hard work for the Architects, most Architects cannot detail" .......What utter rubbish.

@Johnston... where do I start? Where do you get such a low opinion of others within your working circle? You, I assume are an Architect / Planner or other senior construction member? As an experienced Technician and also working within other areas of the construction industry, I can completely & confidently disagree with everything you have mentioned to date! Anything is better than what the site was previously used for & should think before you start posting out of touch views online. It may be budget driven, however, what building site isn't nowadays, isn't it more important that the local residents are happy with what they have to look out on to from their place of residence rather than someone who does not & obviously completely out of touch from the working peoples views from within the area? I agree with criticism, so long as constructive and assuming all Technicians have no idea of what they are doing on a daily basis is a complete and utter disservice, considering, Technicians are the ones who do the hard work for the Architects, most Architects cannot detail to which the reliance comes to the Technicians to do the bread and butter jobs for those obviously not in the know (no pointing any fingers here now folks)...

I am a resident of johnstone. I also have full view of where the new civic hub is going to be when I open my blinds every morning. I am looking forward to seeing the new build and think it will be a very welcome sight to see. Lots of new things happening in the town. About time to I say!! And if Alex is making the Tea I will bring cake!! X

The site looks good already ,with the white girders forming a skeleton sketch of the building. Glad to note that we still have a Town Hall incorporated into this building. This helps stop the idea that Johnstone is just a branch of Paisley ! With our two great town squares and this new building then Johnstone is the place to visit and shop.