Environmental consultancy LUC has won a Gold Award at the 2026 Scottish Design Awards for its work on the Ferguslie Neighbourhood Centre Activity Space in Paisley.
The £600,000 project forms part of the wider Ferguslie Green Line initiative and transformed a long-neglected area of vacant land at Bankfoot Road into a community space for play, movement and social activity.
Before the redevelopment, the site had suffered from fly-tipping, poor visibility and a lack of purpose. It was transformed last year into an inclusive public space.
At the centre of the development is a sunken activity area with colourful geometric graphics. Rather than creating a traditional fenced multi-use games area, LUC designed a flexible space intended to support different types of informal play and social interaction.
The activity space also includes a natural play trail using boulders, timber and stone, along with new and upgraded paths, lighting, tree planting and wider landscape improvements to improve accessibility, safety and biodiversity.
The project was delivered for Renfrewshire Council and received Gold in the Public Realm/Landscape category at an awards ceremony in Glasgow.
Rob Booth, Chief Executive of LUC, said: “Winning Gold at the Scottish Design Awards significantly recognises what LUC, Renfrewshire Council and the Ferguslie community can achieve together through close collaboration and a shared ambition for the area.
“Major regeneration projects should be judged not only by the infrastructure they deliver, but by their ability to bring people together and strengthen communities. That is why we are so proud to see this project recognised with a Gold Award.”
Photo: The Ferguslie Neighbourhood Centre Activity Space at Bankfoot Road, Paisley, includes natural play features alongside its activity area
Photo Credit: LUC
Photo: An aerial view of the Ferguslie Neighbourhood Centre Activity Space in Paisley, which has won a Gold Award at the 2026 Scottish Design Awards
Photo Credit: LUC
Photo: Representatives of LUC collect the Gold Award for the Ferguslie Neighbourhood Centre Activity Space project at the 2026 Scottish Design Awards
Photo Credit: LUC