The Glasgow School of Art to create a new Graduate and Research Centre

News Release 25 September 2012

Pictured: Bryan Ferry CBE, Trustee, The Glasgow School of Art Development Trust

The second stage of the major redevelopment of The Glasgow School of Art’s Garnethill Campus will be a
specially created Graduate and Research Centre it was announced today 25 September 2012. The GSA
already has one of the UK’s largest art and design postgraduate communities with its research profile
extending across the areas of sustainability, health and wellbeing, urbanism and regeneration, and design
innovation. The new Graduate and Research Centre will be a hub for the School-wide postgraduate and
research communities.

Announcing The Glasgow School of Art Development Trust, which will lead the Campus Renewal Appeal to
raise £10m towards the cost of building the new Graduate and Research Centre, Professor Seona Reid
said:

“Research, knowledge exchange and the Graduate School are currently areas of significant development at
the GSA. As well as offering greatly enhanced facilities for existing researchers and postgraduate
programmes, the new Graduate and Research Centre will help the GSA realise its ambitious growth plans in these areas.”

The GSA’s existing research centres include Digital Design Studio, a world leader in 3D visualisation,
haptic interface and 3D sound; MEARU which is researching passive solar energy and zero carbon design,
and a is a leader in the field of building performance monitoring; Glasgow Urban Lab – a collaboration with
Glasgow City Council researching placemaking; Centre for Design Innovation which uses design thinking
to identify practical, sustainable solutions to complex challenges in the private and public sector, and the
Centre for Advanced Textiles which provides a commercial digital fabric printing and textile design service
and consulting to large and small manufacturers as well as to individuals.

Chairman of the Trustees, Colin Grassie CEO of Deutsche Bank UK, said

“The Glasgow School of Art is a globally recognised leader in research and Higher Education in the fields of
Architecture, Design and Fine Art. There has never been a more exciting time to be associated with the
GSA and it is a great privilege to serve as Chairman of The Glasgow School of Art Development Trust at
this pivotal point in its history.”

He added:

“I am fortunate to be supported by many truly exceptional individuals who have agreed to become Trustees
because they share we me a passion of the School and all it represents.”

The Board of Trustees comprises Dr Kenneth Chrystie (Deputy Chair), Kenneth Ross OBE (Deputy Chair),
Sharon Bamford, Bob Downes, Bryan Ferry CBE, Muriel Gray, Douglas Kinnaird, Prof Seona Reid CBE,
Philip Rodney and A.Boyd Tunnock CBE. Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden KT is Honorary Patron of the Trust
and its Director is Alan Horn FRSA.

Bryan Ferry said:

“The Glasgow School of Art has a fantastic international reputation for the quality of its teaching and
research and the achievements of its graduates. I am delighted to be a Trustee of The Glasgow School of Art Development
Trust and look forward to working with my colleagues and the School over the next few years to create this
revolutionary centre for postgraduate education and research.”

The announcement was made during the GSA’s first ever Graduate Degree Show which runs at The
Lighthouse until 29 September 2012 and features the annual MDes Fashion +Textiles Promenades (27
September at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm).

Ends

Issued by The Glasgow School of Art. For further information contact: Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474 lesley@newcenturypr.com

Notes for Editors

• The total cost of the new Graduate and Research Centre is expected to be in the region of £20m, with
The GSA Development Trust raising £10m and the GSA contributing the remaining £10m, raised
through a combination of sales proceeds from the disposal of sites made surplus by this new centre
and other revenue streams.

• The new Graduate and Research Centre will be located on Renfrew Street and Garnet Street on the site
of the current Richmond Building.

• It is envisaged that a design competition for the new building will take place in 2014/15 with work on site
beginning in 2016.

• The project will be managed by the inhouse Estates Development department which is currently
overseeing delivery of the first phase of the campus development, the building designed by Steven
Holl.