Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh

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Learning moments

Leadership of the local authority
Argyll & Bute is a large, complex geographical area which includes 5 key towns and 28 islands. This means of service delivery and costs differ to many urban centres. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Council have delivered an impressive portfolio of town centre regeneration projects, including Helensburgh, these totalling £62 million investment.

Placing engagement at the heart of the design process
The design process adopted a wide range of engagement techniques, resulting in a successful project that was delivered with the community to which a strong sense of ownership ensues, i.e. there is a sense amongst the community that this was ‘not a project that was done to us’.

Adopting a multidisciplinary team approach
The requirement for a multidisciplinary consortium was stipulated through the tendering process, this recognised the complexities of the project and the need to adopt a broader place and community-based perspective. The successful consortium was led by an urban design and landscape practice, who embraced the new and emerging policy landscape, collaborating with specialists in community engagement, heritage, public art and transport engineering. 

The Outdoor Museum
The evolution of the project brief to incorporate the Outdoor Museum in response to public engagement has provided a unique and wonderfully distinctive edge both to the scheme and place.

A change in the narrative of the space
The redesign of Colquhoun Square has created a genuine civic space and focal point for Helensburgh where none previously existed – increased footfall, well used space. The inclusion of an adaptable events space has created ‘a green tape place’ where things can happen, removing the requirement for expensive permits.

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