February 23 2023

A former care home and nursery housed within a B-listed church is to wear a weathered steel coat as part of its conversion to 17 flats by London-based BB Partnership

The former Pollokshields West Church on Shields Road, built in the style of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, dates from 1875-9 and is defined by a landmark tower and Doric entrance.

Refurbished in the 1990s the latest proposals call for the part demolition, conversion and extension of the existing building, retaining two lift cores and new floors formed during its previous refurbishment. Two later extensions dating from the 1950s and 70s are also to be removed, and replaced with a new extension to permit dual-aspect apartment layouts.

In a design statement, the architects wrote: "The main body of the church will remain unchanged apart from the removal of the uncomfortable later extensions to the north elevation. These are to be replaced with a subservient 4-storey extension which sits within the existing portico.

"A number of material options, including glass rain screen cladding, were explored before reverting to the weathered steel. The steel has a rugged simplicity and the colour hints at that of the stone. The extension form is simple with hooded asymmetrically placed openings enlivening the elevation in counterpoint to the strong symmetry of the existing building."

A new bin store and drying enclosure formed from timber and salvaged stone will also be built, sitting underneath an undulating green roof.

12 Comments

#1 Posted by Edward Harkins on 23 Feb 2023 at 14:18 PM

Kind of project I like. The partial rescue of at least some of a grand piece of old heritage and repurposed to a good use - and a plus, it's in the style of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson.

#2 Posted by Robert on 23 Feb 2023 at 20:19 PM

Really? Please see the Whitburn Partnership Centre below for a new addition that really respects the original building. This is awful!

#3 Posted by Ben on 23 Feb 2023 at 21:45 PM

#2 Where?

#4 Posted by Gregory Williams on 24 Feb 2023 at 09:59 AM

You can tell the architects have so sympathy for the surroundings with these plans. Wonder if they've ever visited Glasgow.

#5 Posted by Gandalf the Grey on 24 Feb 2023 at 10:16 AM

From Listed B to B-List by BB in one easy move. Nice Bin Store, pity it's now the architectural highlight of the building. I struggle to understand how the Planners approved this when they can be so difficult with many very minor alterations. A horrific insult to a fine and prominent building.

#6 Posted by Mr Kevan Shaw on 24 Feb 2023 at 10:29 AM

This is a crass insult to a fine building. How can this possibly approved for a b listed building!

#7 Posted by Ghetto King on 24 Feb 2023 at 11:39 AM

Yes, something does need to be done so that it doesn't fall prey to the Glasgow Curse of spontaneous combustion like 2 other churches not 2 minutes away did in Herriet Street and Titwood Park.
Why not in sandstone , at least , like all the other extensions on Nithsdale Road? Ok , it would still be a box but at least a sandstone box.

#8 Posted by DJ on 24 Feb 2023 at 13:29 PM

Guys, its not approved yet. You can all still object. Calm down

#9 Posted by Stephen on 24 Feb 2023 at 15:56 PM

#7 Titwood Park church didn't spontanesously burst into flames, it was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt as St James Parish Church in Pollok.

#10 Posted by brian sewell on 24 Feb 2023 at 19:34 PM

Surely any planner worth their salt could just sort this? While the rear elevation is the right contrasting material, the lumpen holes in a wall design approach of the extension is underdeveloped and really ought to take a cue from the slender elegance of the church. How about 4 thin trabeated pilasters? Ther. Sorted. That'll be 10,000 guineas, please, if you don't mind.

#11 Posted by Ghetto King on 25 Feb 2023 at 17:08 PM

#9 Sorry for the confusion , this is the church I was referring to :
https://pollokshieldsheritage.co.uk/Trail 2/10.html

#12 Posted by pooka on 28 Feb 2023 at 13:39 PM

silence of the lambs mask for the building

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