March 15 2022

Page\Park Architects have completed a redevelopment of the University of Stirling's historic estate with three key interventions transforming the Campus Central environment.

Inspired by the geography of the Carse of Stirling river valley the project conceives a revitalised University Library and MacRobert Arts Centre enclosing the pedestrianised Queens Court, following relocation of a bus terminus, and refurbished study space.

A fully accessible triangular extension leads the changes, responding to adjacent late-Modernist buildings and a high-pressure water main crossing the Queen's Court gardens to the south to establish a new front door to the MacRobert Arts Centre.

Detailing the marriage of geography and geometry in this loch-side extension the architects wrote: "The resultant footprint and section make the most of the remaining wedge shape whilst working with the existing levels, tucking under the University Library’s flipped ziggurat form at the lower two storeys and cantilevering out at the top storey to maximise the usable floor area over three levels.

"Drawing upon the expressive structures of the original late-Modernist buildings, the new extension has been designed to offer a flexible form, with a wide-spanning exposed in-situ concrete frame to the lower levels rising to meet an articulated glulam and CLT roof structure.

"Dramatic top-lit voids are conceived in the spirit of gulleys or chasms, characteristic of river formation, bringing daylight deep into the plan. A sculpted feature staircase serves as a distinctive focal point connecting the floors, supplemented by a new lift."

Separately a glazed atrium created in the late 1990s has been fully refurbished to make better use of the original steel-frame structure dating from the 1970s to open up the volume, improve ventilation and maximise views and light across Airthrey Loch to the Ochil Hills.

Further interventions include the removal of glazed screen shopfronts in favour of retractable shutters and uniform signage while permitting an enlarged cafe to be introduced.

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 15 Mar 2022 at 10:09 AM

Nice work.

As an aside, Stirling Uni campus generally must have one of the most beautiful sites in Scotland, a much more relaxing learning environment than Glasgow/Edinburgh/Aberdeen. Long may it last.

#2 Posted by Jamie Brown on 15 Mar 2022 at 10:33 AM

I was there with my family at the weekend (to see the excellent 'Oi Frog') - and know the building well. I was really impressed with this project, it makes a massive improvement to the facilities on offer. Great work P\P!
Also, just to agree with the comment above, it's a lovely campus.

#3 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 15 Mar 2022 at 10:44 AM

My mother was the University Librarian there in the early 70s, when the place was still box fresh. Apparently she had the best job in the world.

#4 Posted by HMR on 15 Mar 2022 at 13:08 PM

Fantastic stuff from P&P

#5 Posted by modernish on 15 Mar 2022 at 16:04 PM

They're wee rascals that P/P bunch...quietly continuing to produce buildings of interest that are well considered and contextual.
There is a lot to be said for the avoiding having a obvious style and, instead, focusing on quality and integrity.
Sure there is the odd miss along the way, but, by and large, a very strong portfolio of work over the years.

#6 Posted by tiptoe on 15 Mar 2022 at 16:36 PM

Superb project. Well done to P&P

#7 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 16 Mar 2022 at 11:41 AM

Not quite getting all the love.
Good detailing but very flat.

Seems to be lacking in scale / height -- design by slices is just so Scotland 1970.

The feature staircase is just not that -- It needed to be opened up with an atrium vibe to show itself off.

#8 Posted by Neil Lambert on 16 Mar 2022 at 13:26 PM

This is lovely work, and worthy of the setting - love the geometries and how they've reconciled the different levels. Great to see.

#9 Posted by John Marsh on 17 Mar 2022 at 08:28 AM

It's a great improvement on what had become very tired and dated, but visitors are presented with a featureless wall of glass, with no apparent entrance. The way in should be more obvious and welcoming.

#10 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 17 Mar 2022 at 12:24 PM

So the design lets itself down by a poor engagement with the basics -- like doors ...

No good and even less good that the report on the building just repeats the PR guff without any real comment or questioning.

On another level before and after shots would have been useful.

#11 Posted by Like the geometries on 18 Mar 2022 at 09:39 AM

Some sites do 'ave 'em.

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