Carluke Cores

Carluke is a town located in South Lanarkshire. Its proximity to both Glasgow and Edinburgh and its residential feel contributes to make Carluke a well-known and popular commuting town. Since its establishment in 1999, Carluke Development Trust has commissioned studies and implemented projects to develop the community’s well-being and the built environment in Carluke. Following a thorough community consultation, Carluke Development Trust formed ONECAN (One Carluke Action Network), to facilitate the implementation of local projects. 

In March 2022, New Practice were appointed by ONECAN to identify a priority list of feasible projects for the reactivation of Carluke’s town centre. Carluke Cores focuses on the regeneration of the town centre through the reuse of vacant buildings located in strategic locations.

Through the mapping of existing facilities, future development and the needs/feedback of the local community, we identified emerging themes the project should address namely education & upskill, heritage, local retail, repair & recycle, and 20 minutes neighbourhood. 

Supported by the Scottish Government Place Based Initiative Programme, this project exemplifies our approach to the built environment as a practice, exploring opportunities for the future with the ambition of identifying potential uses for derelict buildings and developing much needed facilities for the local community. 

During Phase 1 of the project, we analysed the physical and social context of Carluke, to understand key issues the brief would require to tackle. During this first phase, we also identified potential buildings whose restoration would positively contribute to the reactivation of Carluke’s town centre. 

During the second phase of the project, following in-depth conversations with the client team, we selected the two buildings to develop proposals for, based on key factors such as location, availability, and the impact their restoration would have on the local community. One of the buildings located in proximity to the High Street, on Chapel Street, whilst the second selected building, the High Mill House, located within the ONECAN’s High Mill regeneration project.

We explored potential uses for the two buildings which would positively contribute to Carluke's town centre in terms of health and well-being, de-carbonisation, enterprise and jobs, community cohesion and opportunities for young people. Based on the community needs, and considering the potential of the selected buildings in terms of their size and spatial qualities, we developed four proposals for the adaptive reuse of the two selected buildings. 

The proposals included options for a Food Hub & Co-working space at the building on Chapel Street, an After School Club at the High Mill House, and an Eco Hub & Net Zero Showcase at the old High Mill House.

Below details of the proposals:

• Proposal 1 - Food Hub & Co-working space

The project seeks to provide a new local food and retail offer, connecting the town centre to the produce of neighbouring farmers, crafters and makers. The space will also include a co-working area, where local residents can find a safe and welcoming place to work from near home.

• Proposal 2 - After School Club

The After School Club will provide young people with a safe place for formal and informal learning, in response to the local demand for more spaces and opportunities for youth and recent school - leavers in Carluke. 

• Proposal 3a - Net Zero Showroom

Building on ONECarluke’s plans for the High Mill House, this proposal would use the High Mill House as a DIY learning hub for residents and local communities to learn about small changes they can make in their homes to help tackle rising energy bills and create a more sustainable home. 

• Proposal 3b - Eco-Hub - Repair Hub

Addressing similar themes to the showroom proposal, this proposal offers opportunities for residents to repair and learn to repair smaller items in a prime central location, this time focusing on furniture, electricals and household items and how to fix them, encouraging a circular economy.

First on the priority list, the Eco-Hub would bring new opportunities to the community, providing a space for education and upskill, whilst also merging with the already existing development of Carluke’s High Mill. A second phase would see the collaboration with the owner of the building on Chapel Street leading to the development of the Repair Hub, a service for the community which will help reduce waste whilst also tackling the challenges faced by the community during the current period. Together, these proposals will bring new exciting opportunities to the community.