A Rutherglen church has undergone a facelift which has a continental feel to it.
Work has been carried out at entrance and foregrounds of St Columbkille’s Church, with the addition of an Italian-style piazza.
The upgrade to the A-listed early Modernist building which was designed by Scottish architectural firm Gillespie, Kidd & Coia has been turned inside out with the addition of the landscaped piazza, which will enhance its relationship with nearby Rutherglen Town Hall.
Originally dating from 1940, and previously renovated in 2017, the church has seen its setting enhanced with the work by Loader Monteith Architects and landscape architect Mark Donaldson.
They worked together to enhance the church setting and created an outdoor congregation space framed with planted beds and seating.
The works have seen the removal of grey concrete in favour of the red-brick paved and planted piazza, whic is more in keeping with the Italian Romanesque Basilica-style church.
The upgrade has also improved outreach and accessibility. A new access ramp provides barrier-free entry around curved York sandstone steps, inspired by the semi-circular sanctuary within the church.
And an enlarged terrace at the new entrance doubles as a public space where parishioners can gather.
Iain King, specialist conservation architect and director at Loader Monteith, told architecture news site Urban Realm: “This project has enhanced the church’s civic presence within Rutherglen, creating a welcoming entrance that is accessible for all, promoting outreach by opening up the church and breaking down barriers.
“By integrating a shallow gradient ramp into the stepped terraces, we ensure inclusivity without compromising the structure’s integrity. The soft landscaping further complements the entrance axis, with planting that provides seasonal interest that reflects the church calendar year.”
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