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.

12 Comments

#1 Posted by classarchitect on 23 Jun 2023 at 12:21 PM

You see it even in the most recent RIAS awards (cough -100 acre wood- cough), the academics, the judges, the self publicists, happy Clients delighted with their new shiny toy all in a circle holding their...pens. And then the inevitable failure. The bad design was there all along we just didn't look. Oh but it won an award...lets save it lets keep it! Let it die for the love of god. Grind in to dust, make recon stone offer the locals a free garden wall but don't waste any more Architects time on it.

#2 Posted by Al on 23 Jun 2023 at 12:51 PM

Would be interested to see if the Glasgow architects are going to consult with the people of Cumbernauld to see what they want and what their ideas are?

#3 Posted by NukeItFromSpace on 23 Jun 2023 at 13:58 PM

Glasgow's architects branching out from campaigning to keep tower blocks they'd never personally be willing to live in, to saving a centre they'd never want to actually have to use themselves. Great stuff. Well done, all

#4 Posted by Alan Sneddon on 23 Jun 2023 at 14:04 PM

,As a longterm resident of Cumbernauld and ex employee of Cumbernauld Development Corporation (not an architect) I welcome this news. This iconic structure was a pioneering enclosed multi purpose urban centre and is of historic importance, and means of retaining it should be welcomed.

#5 Posted by Kelly on 23 Jun 2023 at 22:46 PM

As a resident of cumbernauld please stop. Please. Its an eyesore its not economically sound NO-ONE in this town wants it. Please stop with these time wasting projects and let us get on with it we need decent shops, decent jobs and a thriving economy. Not this hideous monstrosity making us a laughing stock of the central belt.
PLEASE STOP TIME WASTING!

#6 Posted by Denise on 24 Jun 2023 at 10:47 AM

I was born and raised in Cumbernauld. My parents moved there in 1960. Under CDC the town was well cared for. NlC has destroyed it. Lack of investment, lack.of care and using it as a dumping ground for problem tenants has ruined Cumbernauld. The centre us a laughing stock. The owners challenge every development plan. They keep adding monstrous malls but if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig. The people of Cumbernauld deserve better.

#7 Posted by Williamlang on 24 Jun 2023 at 21:18 PM

????????, you have to be kidding us, the old side stinks of damp, it houses mostly charity shops. The roof leaks everywhere. It should be blown up, Give us something to cheat about. Now the new side, roof leaks, and a few bad shops. Take it all down and do it right this time... The new shopping area in Westfield generates more money per week than both sides of the town centre put together... So get rid of them please.

#8 Posted by WilliamLive on 25 Jun 2023 at 11:14 AM

I live in the Cumbernauld area and this centre has been in a state of decay for decades. It’s frequented by marauding gangs and is a no go area after dark. Human excrement and urine adorn the stairwells as well as the usual drug paraphernalia. Once the home of the beloved pound store, but alas no more due to Sky high rental costs. Locals and councillors want it demolished asap. Do any members from Glasgow architectural institute reside here?? I think not. Give locals something to be proud of instead of our annual carbuncle award.

#9 Posted by GMan on 26 Jun 2023 at 13:22 PM

This is what happens when architects and planners want you to think and act American. Shopping Mall is pure USA stuff, this is not the US but this tiny island is like a mini USA, some places in the present day look like the Bronx back in the 70's and 80's. Ironic, architects and planners plant this stuff in selected areas and the public have to endure their embarrassing legacy going by the comments above.

#10 Posted by john gordon on 27 Jun 2023 at 15:06 PM

Turn it into a Gregory's Girl museum.

#11 Posted by Clare Grogan on 28 Jun 2023 at 13:50 PM

I agree with #10, what a fantastic idea!

#12 Posted by Tanya Clarke on 27 Oct 2023 at 15:30 PM

I keep hearing all this negative stuff on blaming the building for all the trouble. Why then can some Brutalist Architecture be listed and still standing proud today. Much still survives in Central London and very well Maintained and if NLC had taken care of Cumbernauld years ago and not let it slip into a coma maybe then it would still be a usable space. The barbican and Southbank Centre are fine examples of 60's Beauty of cool raw waffle Concrete and amazing design. Blame the councils not the buildings. The Penthouses are truly iconic and no where else in the world has one like Cumbernauld. SAVE SOMETHING PLEASE

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