Parkhead Hub
A welcoming hub integrating services for health, wellbeing and community.
The challenge
Delivering a complex, multi-service health and community facility that meets the needs of diverse stakeholders. Ensuring the design reflects new service models and meets high standards of quality and functionality.
Architect: Hoskins Architects
Landscape Architect: ERZ Studio
Contractor: BAM Construction
Development Partner: Hub West Scotland
Health Board: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Location: Glasgow
Type of Facility: Health and Community Centre
Date of completion: November 2024
The approach
Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS), in partnership with NHS Assure, supported the project through the NHS Scotland Design Assessment Process (NDAP) over five years. A&DS conducted a series of workshops over four years to assess and refine proposals against the Design Statement benchmarks before reporting at Outline and Full Business Case stages.
Initiated with the development of a Design Statement in 2017, co-created with a balanced mix of stakeholders (service users, staff, and project team). Stakeholder groups were fully represented throughout the process with regular targeted meetings. The community was involved and engaged from the outset.
The Value of Design
The Design Statement underpinned design decisions, articulating non-negotiable attributes and service model requirements. It was used as a collaborative tool to align stakeholder expectations and guide the facility development.
Design assessments helped identify and resolve issues early, ensuring final proposals met functional and strategic goals. A&DS involvement ensured the design encompassed stakeholder needs and government commitments.
In project development, the use of mock-ups and computer-generated designs ensured stakeholders could fully understand proposals. Continued positive engagement with the design team aided response to users' needs.
The outcome
A facility that reflects the needs of its users and supports new models of care with financial efficiencies achieved through the collation of services and community resources.
A healthcare-led community building, including a library, café and outdoor space where robust community involvement has led to greater than expected community group use of the building and considerably increased library footfall.
A resilient hub- energy-efficient and well adapted to the changing climate in an accessible location that exemplifies how design can drive public service transformation in a complex, multi-agency context- leading to improved integration for both services and the community.
“The designers did a brilliant job here. They really took time to consider the needs of everyone in the building. Recently I spoke to one of our service users, and his impression nearly moved me to tears. He said
“It makes people like me feel safe. Because of the way the buildings laid out nobody knows why I’m here.”
"I've been coming down every Tuesday since the place opened up. It was great for them to mix with other kids and to get to know the other mothers that come to the group. They really enjoy it."
"I think the difference is you're not having to travel from one place to another, especially with having two young kids. It's just one bus and if I wanted to, I could spend the whole day down here [...] Everything is contained within the one building which makes a difference as well."
- Community member attending the Play Cafe at Parkhead Hub
Image gallery
With thanks to Keith Hunter Photography, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
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