CoRE / Community Renewable Energy Project

CoRE is a community renewable energy project supporting innovation and research in energy and sustainability. It will be a pioneering exemplar for regeneration, community involvement and renewable technologies in Scotland and across the UK supporting local communities to become energy self-sufficient, cutting fuel poverty and stimulating the local economy.

Location

East Ayrshire, UK

Area

2,036 m2

Status

Design

Year

2022

Client

East Ayreshire Council

Based in East Ayrshire, an area that has experienced severe economic deprivation, the project will help to decarbonise communities by developing energy systems of the future.

CoRE is being led by East Ayrshire Council in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde. It is funded with £17 million from UK Government and £7.5 million from East Ayrshire Council as part of the £251.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal, a 10-year investment programme jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments and local authorities.

The Centre for Excellence will build on Architype’s track record in energy building performance and zero carbon design targeting both Passivhaus certification and BREEAM outstanding. The high-quality spaces make the most of natural daylight and local materials to stimulate ideas, innovation and connections among the academic, entrepreneurial and local communities.

The new building will house laboratories and workshop spaces for PhD students and researchers to facilitate cutting edge research into zero carbon and renewable technology. A large demonstrator and exhibition space will showcase energy technologies and inform and engage visitors in new technologies. A welcoming café on the ground floor provides another space for happenchance meetings and community connections that enhance people’s quality of life.

Vision

All vision

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Design

The design references the factory – a space for productive and innovative working and research – borrowing elevational styles from local mills and tanneries. A natural material palette will create a sense of calm, with connections and views into the building and to the outside, creating inspiring places to work and study. Locally quarried stone, local timber, bricks and rocks in gabion walls are all being explored for potential features in the building, drawing on the area’s rich heritage and surrounding beautiful natural landscape.

Expertise

A brief to transform energy production

The centre of excellence aims to transform energy production and distribution, and support the UK’s transition to a low carbon society, establishing Cumnock as an exemplar low carbon town.