Urban Building – Dennistoun Centre for Art
Throughout the years Glasgow has reinvented itself into a city for the arts, transforming derelict land and warehouses from the decline of heavy industry into spaces to create and experience art. The east end, along with south side, is the fastest developing area for new art spaces, though the area of Dennistoun does not reflect this. With rapid gentrification with people moving from the more affluent areas of southside and the west end and growing student presence, a local space to exhibit art and hold events would help connect this area to wider Glasgow.
Within the building the spaces will reflect Glasgow’s existing spaces for local art, often these ‘found’ spaces offering a range of industrial structure and materials. Located around the site of the former tobacco industry, with Alexandra parade once named ‘tobacco road’, the design will aim to recreate this feeling of found spaces within a new building.
The site is positioned on the main road leading towards the city centre with streets running south directly to Duke Street giving an opportunity to create a connected community facility. The surrounding buildings have a tall presence giving an opportunity to build high, creating this gateway approach before you step into the city centre.
