‘Growing Communities’ is a digital render of the new horticultural community hub under construction in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde. Designed by INCH Architecture for Parklea Branching Out, a voluntary organization and registered Scottish Charity, the hub provides a public space overlooking the Clyde Estuary. Parklea use horticulture as a vehicle to provide a variety of different training opportunities, work experience, supported employment, recreational and social facilities for clients including adults and children with learning and/or physical disabilities, those with mental health problems, school leavers, young and long term unemployed, elderly groups and community groups. They recognise the therapeutic value of a horticulture environment and use social and therapeutic horticulture which has the beneficial impact of improving mental and physical health, skills development, wellbeing, and employability to name a few. Due to the existing congested nature of the piecemeal site and the importance of Parklea’s services to continue during construction, an undeveloped area adjacent to the Clyde was selected to (1) benefit from existing infrastructure and (2) maximise the visual connection to the historic timber drying ponds of the River Clyde, as well as the surrounding landscape. It also happens to be the best place on site to have a cup of tea. Critically, the challenge was the site being within a flood risk area (medium to high risk from direct inundation from the sea), and the building floor level needed to be raised above peak tidal level, based on a predicted 1 in 200-year flood event plus climate change. Alongside this, flood resilient construction measures have been employed to mitigate excessive damage or waste in the event of flooding. The building has been designed to directly confront the challenges of the site exacerbated by climate change rather than ignore them, allowing the creation of a new community hub that is deeply rooted in its site and embraces the human relationship with blue space and water. The building aims to be sustainable in its longevity in withstanding the challenges of our changing climate, and to further Parklea’s work to provide essential services for their clients and the local community of Inverclyde.

This work is framed in a black frame, with a white window mount.