Section through the building showing the
converted lower floors and replacement roof
providing north-lit studio spaces and
creating two new atria.
converted lower floors and replacement roof
providing north-lit studio spaces and
creating two new atria.
The
Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) has unveiled details of its plans for the
conversion of the former Stow College building today, 14 April 2017.
Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) has unveiled details of its plans for the
conversion of the former Stow College building today, 14 April 2017.
The design,
by BDP architects, includes refurbishment of the five floors of the original 1930s
building, replacement of the current rooftop extension (added in the 1960s) and
glazing over the massive interior light wells to form two atria which will
offer flexible spaces for exhibitions and events.
by BDP architects, includes refurbishment of the five floors of the original 1930s
building, replacement of the current rooftop extension (added in the 1960s) and
glazing over the massive interior light wells to form two atria which will
offer flexible spaces for exhibitions and events.
The refurbished
ground floor will include a wide range of specialist workshops in spaces that
had historically been used for technical education – including boilermaking,
foundry work and vehicle building – alongside newly created studios.
ground floor will include a wide range of specialist workshops in spaces that
had historically been used for technical education – including boilermaking,
foundry work and vehicle building – alongside newly created studios.
Workshops
on the ground floor of the building as they were in the former Trades School
on the ground floor of the building as they were in the former Trades School
and as
they will be in the converted space
they will be in the converted space
The next
four floors will offer fully flexible studio space for undergraduate and
post-graduate fine art students, and academic offices.
four floors will offer fully flexible studio space for undergraduate and
post-graduate fine art students, and academic offices.
|
| Light, flexible space and connectivity – key features of a typical studio in the converted building |
The
biggest change to the building will be the removal of the current top floor,
which was added in the 1960s and is of much lower standard than the original
1930s building. It will be replaced with a new extension specifically designed
to meet the needs of the Painting and Printmaking disciplines, with top-lit
north-facing windows ensuring a substantial provision of wall space. The partial double height space allows for
the inclusion of a mezzanine floor.
biggest change to the building will be the removal of the current top floor,
which was added in the 1960s and is of much lower standard than the original
1930s building. It will be replaced with a new extension specifically designed
to meet the needs of the Painting and Printmaking disciplines, with top-lit
north-facing windows ensuring a substantial provision of wall space. The partial double height space allows for
the inclusion of a mezzanine floor.
|
| Visualisation of a studio in the newly created top floor. Quality of lighting and sufficient provision of wall space for painting and printmaking disciplines were key criteria in the design |
|
| The former Stow College building, Spring 2017, from the M8 |
“We have
sought to develop a scheme that has a contextual relationship
sought to develop a scheme that has a contextual relationship
to the linear
(east-west) pitched forms of Garnethill, with refined details
(east-west) pitched forms of Garnethill, with refined details
in robust
materials and to develop architecture that resonates with
materials and to develop architecture that resonates with
Glasgow’s industrial
heritage – without being pastiche or crude.”
heritage – without being pastiche or crude.”
BDP
Architects
Architects
Exterior visualisations of the converted
building showing the new copper clad top floor
building showing the new copper clad top floor
at year 1 and year 20. Illustrative artwork at
side of building courtesy of Ross Sinclair
side of building courtesy of Ross Sinclair
Design
and materials for the new top floor, which it is calculated will have a
lifetime in excess of 100 years, reflect the industrial heritage of the trades
people who had trained in the building and went on to work in Glasgow’s
shipyards and factories.
and materials for the new top floor, which it is calculated will have a
lifetime in excess of 100 years, reflect the industrial heritage of the trades
people who had trained in the building and went on to work in Glasgow’s
shipyards and factories.
“Today marks another important stage in our
campus redevelopment plan,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The
Glasgow School of Art.
campus redevelopment plan,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The
Glasgow School of Art.
“The Stow Building has been a distinctive
part of Glasgow’s educational landscape for over 80 years. BDP’s design harnesses the full potential of
the original 1930s building, with the new roof extension, while carefully considered
to meet the very specific needs of fine art internally, plays tribute to
Glasgow’s industrial heritage externally.
part of Glasgow’s educational landscape for over 80 years. BDP’s design harnesses the full potential of
the original 1930s building, with the new roof extension, while carefully considered
to meet the very specific needs of fine art internally, plays tribute to
Glasgow’s industrial heritage externally.
Scott Mackenzie, BDP
Scotland Chair and Architect Principal added
Scotland Chair and Architect Principal added
“BDP is delighted to be part of the GTMS team working with The
Glasgow School of Art to rejuvenate the former Stow College building as a
School of Fine Art. This project not only brings new life to a cherished
Glasgow landmark, but also provides the School of Fine Art with inspirational
and truly world class teaching and learning spaces.”
Glasgow School of Art to rejuvenate the former Stow College building as a
School of Fine Art. This project not only brings new life to a cherished
Glasgow landmark, but also provides the School of Fine Art with inspirational
and truly world class teaching and learning spaces.”
Ends
Further information:
Lesley Booth,
0779 941 4474,
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
Notes for Editors
- The acquisition of the former Stow College
building and site is a key building block in the GSA’s £80m campus development
project. It will enable the GSA to bring together all programmes in the School
of Fine Art in one, fit-for-purpose building and to return the Mackintosh
Building to its original academic configuration and as a home for all first
year students. - The Garnethill campus development is being supported
through the £32M Mackintosh Campus Appeal (£19.5M already raised) - The conversion is being managed on behalf of
the GSA by Gardiner and Theobald - The building will come in to operation for
Academic Year 2018/19. - BDP is a major international, interdisciplinary
practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists; embracing all the
skills needed to provide an integrated, comprehensive service. The company works
closely with users, clients and the community to create special places for
living, working, shopping, culture and learning across the world. Founded in
1961, BDP now has studios across the globe employing more than 800 people. BDP has
won over 700 design awards for our work across many sectors.