January 17 2018

McLean Architects have devised alternative proposals for a full refurbishment and extension of the B listed Wolfson Building as part of the University of Strathclyde’s ongoing overhaul of its Glasgow city centre campus.

Supplanting earlier plans for a cylindrical stair tower the latest plans call for creation of a new accessible entrance, fire escape and passenger lift together with a full refurbishment of the existing building fabric.

Built on a raised podium above a subterranean lecture hall the existing Morris & Steedman building has become unsuited to the needs of the present day university, necessitating an overhaul of mechanical and electrical services and the creation of modern teaching and research spaces.

Commenting on their design McLean wrote: “The new extension will be sleek and elegant in scale and proportion. The glazing to the new stair offers an external expression of movement through the building and allows the north elevation to be more dynamic, open and active, particularly when the building is illuminated at night. Solid elements of the new extension will be constructed in smooth pre-cast concrete panels and glazed openings will be vertical to harmonise with the existing building’s emphasis.”

Externally hard landscaping will introduce a shared surface to connect with a neighbouring sculpture garden while period 1970’s details such as exposed coffered slab soffits expressing the cantilevered column free structure and timber linings will be preserved.

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