Templehall Community Hub

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Kirkcaldy, UK

Services

Sectors

Civic and Community

People

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0503

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0392

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0285

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0344

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0192

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0320

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0487

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0280

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0462

project overview

Bringing together much-needed community services all under one roof

The Passivhaus Classic-certified Templehall Community Hub brings together essential local services into a single, welcoming and sustainable building, creating a new focal point for community life. Replacing three ageing facilities, the hub provides a fully accessible home for services people rely on while opening up new opportunities for connection, learning and support.

Shaped through extensive engagement with residents, community groups and local stakeholders, the project responds directly to four shared priorities: better communication, improved safety, enhanced outdoor space and a stronger sense of community.

Designed to support everyday use and long-term adaptability, the building brings together a wide range of flexible spaces, including a main hall, library, teaching kitchen, community cafe, community garden, meeting rooms, youth club and computer suite. The hub offers a high quality, low-energy environment that is comfortable, efficient and built to perform.

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 08285

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0437

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0065

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 0564

AHR Community Centre Templehall Community Hub Architecture Kirkcaldy 05356

design concept

Where everyone feels welcome, comfortable and able to participate fully

Our design brings together a wide range of uses within a clear, compact arrangement that is easy to navigate and comfortable to use. Key shared spaces are positioned centrally, encouraging activity and interaction throughout the day, while more focused areas support quieter use.

Set within a residential context, the building’s scale and massing are carefully considered to sit comfortably alongside neighbouring homes and the adjacent family nurture centre. A generous canopy and clear entrance sequence provide a strong sense of arrival, while large areas of glazing create visual connections in and out, bringing daylight deep into the plan.

To create a civic presence that feels both distinctive and familiar, we used a robust and understated material palette using natural tones and a primary brick finish that reflects the character of the area and complements nearby buildings.

A welcoming entrance plaza leads to gardens, allotments, lawn and orchard meadow, offering space for informal use, play and community activity. Safe, accessible routes link the building to its surroundings, reinforcing its role within a wider community campus.

Biodiversity is embedded throughout the landscape design, with planting that supports pollinators and encourages wildlife, delivering a measurable Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

sustainability

Reducing energy demand while supporting comfort and wellbeing

From the outset, the focus has been on delivering a building that performs well in everyday use.

A fabric-first approach shapes the design. The highly insulated, airtight envelope limits heat loss despite the building’s large, single-storey form. This results in strong thermal performance, with U-values outperforming current standards.

Passive design strategies, including carefully positioned rooflights and external shading, maximise natural light while helping to reduce the risk of overheating. Building services are designed to be efficient and easy to control. Underfloor heating serves the main hall, while radiant ceiling panels provide heating in smaller spaces.

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) delivers a steady supply of fresh air, supported by sensors that help maintain comfortable internal conditions.

The hub achieved an exceptional airtightness level of 0.42 air changes per hour, reflecting meticulous detailing, certified components and rigorous quality control throughout construction.

Reducing whole-life carbon has also been a key consideration. Following detailed analysis, a lower-carbon steel frame was selected alongside concrete containing ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS).

This approach extends to the reuse of materials salvaged from the former Argos Centre, a youth hub previously located on the site.

Existing beams have been repurposed as planters in the community garden and as a feature within the community cafe, while timber from a decommissioned school was reused for fencing.

community impact

A place that will continue to adapt and grow over time

The hub has been shaped by ongoing engagement, ensuring it responds directly to local priorities and supports a wide range of community needs. This collaborative approach has created a place that feels familiar, inclusive and easy to use, encouraging people of all ages to come together.

By bringing services into one location, the building strengthens connections between people, groups and organisations, making it easier to access support, share resources and build relationships. Spaces are designed to encourage participation, from social and cultural activities to learning, skills development and everyday use.

The project also creates wider social value through education, skills and local investment. Opportunities for volunteering, training and hands-on experience help build confidence and support pathways into employment, particularly for younger people.

A focus on reuse and local sourcing has strengthened ties to the area, embedding elements of its history within the new building while reducing environmental impact. This sense of continuity, combined with spaces that support both social interaction and individual wellbeing, helps to create a strong sense of ownership and pride."

Lynsey Isles

Architect, Glasgow

key information