AWARD

Kinning Park Complex SCIO

Kinning Park Complex has a long history of education and activism. It is a place that has served its communities and been protected by its communities for over 100 years.

The name, Kinning Park Complex, refers to both an organisation and to a place. That place is an old red sandstone building - built in 1916 as an addition to Lambhill Street Primary School. In 1976 the building was converted into the Kinning Park Neighbourhood Centre, run by the local council.The centre provided local residents with vital space for gathering and shared learning. Slated for closure in 1996, a group of the centre's users and supporters took matters into their own hands and began an occupation of the building. For 55 days and nights the group stayed in the centre, 24 hours a day. Finally an agreement was reached with the local council, and the centre remained open under the new management of a community organisation - Kinning Park Complex.

Since 1997 Kinning Park Complex (KPC) have been renting the building from the council, and have been unable to make the significant changes needed to keep their building habitable. Kinning Park Complex still remained a vibrant hub of community activity. The old school dining and sports halls host community meals and workshops. Converted classrooms provide studio space for a number of resident artist and charitable organisations.

In May 2018 the Kinning Park Complex registered as a constituted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to build towards a member led organisation that would guide the direction of a soon to be community owned building. By November, the organisation had been awarded £1.2 million from the Scottish Land Fund and The National Lottery to purchase and renovate the building. Since then they have continued to work tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities of South Glasgow through the COVID-19 lockdowns and into their newly renovated building.

Shortlisted

The City of Edinburgh Council

The City of Edinburgh Council has demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate their commitment to commission outstanding architecture. An exemplar client who has made considerable investment in their educational portfolio and who is open to consideration of innovative ideas, not afraid to take risks to deliver better buildings, and has the courage and commitment to support design teams to deliver exceptionally high-quality educational facilities.

Shortlisted

The University of Stirling

The University of Stirling is a public university in Stirling, Scotland, founded by royal charter in 1967. Built within the walled Airthrey Castle estate, the campus is approximately 360 acres (1.5 km2) in size and in 2002, was designated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites as one of the UK's top 20 heritage sites of the 20th century. As well as the university, the campus also houses the Stirling University Innovation Park, Dementia Centre and the Macrobert Art Centre.

The university has 14,000 part-time and full-time students, organised for learning, teaching and research into five faculties; Arts and Humanities, Health Science and Sport, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Management school with the Institute for Advance Studies overarching all faculties and supporting the postgraduate research community.

The university of Stirling aims to provide education with a purpose and carrying out research that helps to shape society. An international university with pioneering spirit and a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. Passionate about creating impact in everything they do.

Stirling is a place where ability – not background – is valued.