The Energy Technology Centre (ETC) was established in 2006 to help test emerging renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Scottish Enterprise had a vision to establish the ETC as the pre-eminent vehicle for the development of sustainable energy technologies in Scotland.

The project involved refurbishment of the ETC buildings and was undertaken as part of a EU initiative, entitled REGAIN.

Gaia proposed an eco-minimalist approach that would invest in fundamentals of the building's fabric and controls to create a super efficient structure and operation in which renewable energy could make a realistic and cost effective contribution.