STAR Project

_Location: Paisley, Scotland

_Sector: Community

_Client: Garnethill Multicultural Centre

_Work Produced For: Dress for the Weather Architects 

_Role: Feasibility to Planning

_Status: Planning

The STAR Project transforms an existing community centre through a carefully considered refurbishment and extension, creating flexible, welcoming spaces that better support the organisation's growing programmes and the wider Paisley community. The project began with a series of workshops involving staff, volunteers and building users to understand how the centre was used and where improvements would have the greatest impact. Working within the constraints of grant funding, the design focused on delivering maximum value through targeted interventions, reconfiguring the existing building while extending into a neighbouring industrial site.

  • _Expansion onto neighbouring site to increase community facilities

    _Extensive stakeholder and user engagement workshops

    _Industrial-inspired architectural response reflecting local character

    _Cost-conscious design aligned with grant funding objectives

    _Flexible community spaces designed for long-term adaptability

    _New winter garden providing year-round community space

  • The existing community centre sits within a former industrial setting that has shaped the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. Rather than imposing a new architectural language, the proposal draws inspiration from this context through robust materials, simple forms and practical detailing. Alongside improving thermal comfort and building performance, the design carefully reworks the existing building and extends into the neighbouring industrial plot to create a cohesive, context-sensitive place that feels rooted in its surroundings

  • The project began by listening. Through workshops with staff, volunteers and community users, we developed a clear understanding of how the building was used, where it fell short and how it could better support the people who rely on it every day. Working closely with the client also meant balancing ambition with the realities of grant funding, ensuring every intervention delivered meaningful value and long-term benefit for the community.

  • Unlocking the site's potential meant making every pound of funding work harder. Rather than relying on expensive interventions, the design carefully balanced refurbishment with targeted extensions, improving building performance, flexibility and long-term value while remaining achievable within the project's grant funding ambitions.

  • From early feasibility studies through to planning and early technical design, the project was developed in close collaboration with the client and consultant team, providing clear design information, cost-conscious decision-making and a phased strategy that supports funding applications and future delivery.

  • Feasibility Study

    Community Centre Retrofit and Extension Design

    Community Engagement Workshops

    Accessibility & Inclusive Design

    Heritage & Conservation Design

    Planning Application Design

    Concept design

    Consultant Coordination