Auchenback is a large housing estate in Barrhead with only limited community facilities. Auchenback Active, a locally based initiative, wished to establish a new type of community resource which could bring together health, Council services, training, alternative banking and community activities under one roof. The development of the brief required a major round of consultations with the NHS Trust, local doctors, Council Departments (including housing, planning, cleansing and social services) credit unions, universities and other training organisations, as well as the community itself.

Out of the briefing process grew proposals that included:

• A flexible hall that can be sub-divided
• Private consulting and meeting rooms
• A training suite
• Cafe and kitchen
• Meeting foyer

Working with Dr Colin Porteous of the MEARU a double skinned hall was developed for the south facing multi purpose hall, to trap and heat the incoming air and to direct it through the roofspace, to pick up hot air from the training suite and for re-circulating, as necessary, to the building.

The successful study led to funding and the procurement of the new facility for Auchenback.