Diocesan Centre

The Diocesan Centre serves as the new headquarters of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Located in Glasgow city centre, the architect designed the refurbished space to provide a suitable location for managing church activities. This includes serving as a drop-in centre for spiritual guidance or counselling, and event hosting. The previous space occupied by the diocese was too small to accommodate more than limited numbers, leading to a need for a larger, more functional headquarters.

The project aimed to create a headquarters that was fit for purpose, accommodating multiple individuals for various functions. A key aim was ensuring the space had a calming and welcoming environment.

The renovation predominantly used timber, chosen for its environmental benefits and calming aesthetic. The original concrete steel frame structure was augmented with additional steel and timber trimmings. Materials included exposed pine and well-finished plywood, contributing to a Scandinavian style. The emphasis on timber use was both for its positive environmental impact and its ability to create a socially inviting atmosphere. The designers incorporated new light wells to bring in as much natural light as possible, making the basement feel more open and airy.

The building spans two accessible floors: the ground floor and the basement level. Significant work was done on internal levels, including the installation of a very shallow ramp to ensure wheelchair accessibility from both sides, and an accessible lift to the basement.

Challenges

The project faced several challenges, particularly in working with the existing structure. Initially, there were limitations on the extent of investigations to prove the building’s suitability for reuse. The building is a five-story structure with offices and residential flats on the upper floors, which remained occupied during renovations. This required careful planning for testing and design modifications to avoid significant disruptions or structural damage.

The United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway played an active role in the design development, ensuring that the outcome met their needs and vision for the new headquarters.

The Diocesan Centre in Glasgow exemplifies engineering ingenuity and collaborative design. The project successfully addressed the functional needs of the Scottish Episcopal Church, transforming an underutilised space into a vibrant, accessible, and environmentally conscious headquarters.