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HFD press ahead with second phase of Glasgow’s Bothwell Exchange

November 19 2015

HFD press ahead with second phase of Glasgow’s Bothwell Exchange
Sheppard Robson Architects have submitted plans for a 210,000sq/ft office block at 177 Bothwell Street on behalf of HFD Property, a sister build to Bothwell Exchange to the immediate south.

Rising to ten storeys with basement parking the project seeks to break down massing into a series of distinct ‘boxes’ of varying width and height in an effort to mimic the organic growth of a city block whilst responding to the varied heights of neighbouring properties – notably the A-listed St Vincent Street Church.

These would be clad in a mixture of curtainwall glazing, light grey anodised aluminium panels, granite and natural stone piers.

Outlining their design approach the architects said: “We have adopted stone piers as the separation device to glazed curtain wall boxes at varying heights. Along with the separation of ‘boxes’ vertically the stone piers allow the ‘pushing and pulling’ of these same boxes along the main elevations to create further elevation articulation.

“Raising a box at the centre emphasises the entrance to the building while setting back boxes at both Bothwell Street and Pitt Street corners encourage separate entrances to the ground floor units for leisure café/restaurant use.

“Setting back an upper attic floor maintains the rising datum of the ‘boxes’ as viewed along Bothwell Street but also an opportunity for additional articulation at skyline.”

A rooftop running track is envisaged around a screened plant room, offering expansive city views.
Recessed corners at ground level will offer separate access to proposed leisure units
Recessed corners at ground level will offer separate access to proposed leisure units
Stone piers will rise from the main reception through to a garden terrace
Stone piers will rise from the main reception through to a garden terrace

16 Comments

Big Chantelle
#1 Posted by Big Chantelle on 19 Nov 2015 at 11:46 AM
Wit an absolute disgrace.
But sayin' that, I can predict it will be Motherwell polytechnic school of architecture's building ae the year. Throw in a Saltire award tae. And mibee a 'glass' award fae some group 'think-tank' naebuddy's ever hurd ae.

This is wit happens when u worship at the alter ae lefty architectural aesthetic principles -- ye git this banal, stripped down and devoid ae any integrity rubbish. Glass, blocky, soulless.Aye, concrete modernist brigade strikes again. Because we canny huv a beautiful stone building with ornament can wae? Na, that's so backward................

So, ur you lot happy wae this building? Are you happy that in mocking beautiful buildings and the whole hinkin' behind them, you have actually aided and abetted this nonsense here because this is the kinda dross which has noo taken oor ur built environments? Ur ye proud ae yersells? Ur ye proud ae yersells when ye call anything wae a classical column in it 'pastiche'? Ur ye proud ae yersells? De ye hink this is progress? Do u know realise what ye are supporting here?

I rest ma case.

Big Chantelle
Grim reaper
#2 Posted by Grim reaper on 19 Nov 2015 at 11:46 AM
I see we are going for the Dallas approach to city centre living. A whole shiny new district with absolutely no street-level action.

Pathetic.

A Local Pleb
#3 Posted by A Local Pleb on 19 Nov 2015 at 12:25 PM
Appears to reflect what has sadly become the 'standard' for commercial office developments in Glasgow...a bland, banal, uninspiring box.
BC #1, whilst you may have some valid points I struggle to take anything you say seriously because of your pretentious, vernacular prose!
pleasantfield
#4 Posted by pleasantfield on 19 Nov 2015 at 12:53 PM
Oh dear oh dear indeed another "standard" design. When oh when will GCC Planning set a higher standard than this. More "go anywhere" architecture that will be pulled down in 20 or 30 years. The canyon that has become Bothwell street.
Charlie_
#5 Posted by Charlie_ on 19 Nov 2015 at 12:54 PM
Downtown Dallas in the rain with no skyline. if the objective was to create the worst city centre district on earth we're on the brink of achieving it.
D to the R
#6 Posted by D to the R on 19 Nov 2015 at 13:24 PM
We are about 20 years behind London with these proposals. But Big Chantelle you should remember the skill and craft required to build your said classical palace is long gone .... contractors in this country these days struggle to build brick and block in a straight line.

Proposals like this one AREN'T driven by Architecture but by profit and commerce. GCC do though need to be stronger in setting the context in which these kinds of developments can be considered acceptable.
Gypsum Fantastic
#7 Posted by Gypsum Fantastic on 19 Nov 2015 at 13:34 PM
IFSD? I can think of a couple of alternative words for the middle two letters...
Daphne Broon
#8 Posted by Daphne Broon on 19 Nov 2015 at 13:49 PM
Love it.
Dave
#9 Posted by Dave on 19 Nov 2015 at 14:46 PM
There is a distinct lack of prostitutes in the night time image?
'Fiddy
#10 Posted by 'Fiddy on 19 Nov 2015 at 15:06 PM
I love it like a fat kid loves cake.
Chris
#11 Posted by Chris on 19 Nov 2015 at 21:05 PM
Very unambitious. There was rumours of this site getting a mixed use tower. Guess we'll just have to settle for another glass box.
Yaldy
#12 Posted by Yaldy on 19 Nov 2015 at 22:17 PM
To be fair to whoever dreamt this up...

It is a terrible part of town, that transitional part away from the beautiful old town centre more towards the M8 and the kingston bridge. It's in line with its surroundings - all awful glass boxes - fills an awful brownfield gap, and is presumably profitable for a few parties involved
Billy
#13 Posted by Billy on 20 Nov 2015 at 08:53 AM
Totally uninspiring. Would not rent space in that. You want your office in a unique looking building with functionality. Not a bland glass box. All merging into one .
Ian Ure
#14 Posted by Ian Ure on 20 Nov 2015 at 09:26 AM
From Sheppard Robson's website:

''OUR APPROACH TO DESIGN

The practice has always fostered a spirit of innovation and continues to embrace new methods of construction and employ cutting-edge systems, particularly in sustainable design. From harnessing the benefits of cross-laminated timber in school design to using computer software to create the most efficient office building in the Middle East, the exploration of new ideas is at the heart of what we do.

All projects at Sheppard Robson are reviewed at key stages of their design development by the Design Review Group. Objective criteria, such as environmental sustainability, are reviewed alongside more subjective design principles, such as appropriateness to context, composition and form. This scrutiny and debate ensures design quality is achieved across all projects, with the design review process playing an integral part of our quality assurance and is linked to our ISO 9001 accreditation.''

Bull.
D to the R
#15 Posted by D to the R on 20 Nov 2015 at 14:46 PM
Lets hope it ain't speculative .... Another completed building sitting empty ..... St Vincent Plaza anyone ?
Roddy
#16 Posted by Roddy on 23 Nov 2015 at 08:54 AM
Looks very much in keeping with the Sentinel building across the road

I believe KPMG are moving into the St Vincent Plaza building so not sitting empty

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