The Practice was appointed by competitive selection to work with Marie Curie Cancer Care on the reprovision of accommodation for their regional cancer care services in Springburn, one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas. Their existing four storey accommodation, purpose designed in the early 1970’s, was proving an increasingly problematic and inappropriate environment in which to provide Marie Curie’s rapidly evolving care services for western Scotland.

Extensive feasibility studies associated with reconfiguration and extension of the existing building proved that this refurbishment approach would be both expensive and ultimately provide relatively poor value for money, compared to a new build project which is very well located but presents the challenge of using creatively its steep north facing slope from the upper sections of which there are fine views of the Campsie Fells to the north.

The design addresses this and the operational requirements of the brief by using the slope to advantage, learning from the sheltering form of traditional hill villages at the same time as learning from the emerging scientific evidence base as to the value to patients and staff of well configured design. Construction of the project was completed late 2009.

The accommodation includes 30 in-patient bedrooms, day-services and outpatient facilities, educational and training department and administration.