University of Glasgow approves plans for £86m facility

Image credit: HASSELL / Imigo

THE University of Glasgow has approved plans to build an £86 million hub for its Postgraduate Taught (PGT) student community and Adam Smith Business School.

The university said the new building, designed by HASSELL, will include ‘modern and collaborative’ learning and teaching facilities for PGT students, whilst also allowing the business school to grow.

This is the fourth major new building to be delivered through the university’s £1 billion Campus Development Programme, which is redeveloping the site of the former Western Infirmary in Glasgow’s west end. Construction is expected to be complete in 2022.

The new building will be located on Dumbarton Road, adjacent to Kelvingrove Museum and Kelvin Hall. The surrounding area will be landscaped.

Professor John Finch, head of the Adam Smith Business School said, “The new development will build on the legacy of pioneering thinker Adam Smith. It will create spaces for analytical, entrepreneurial and sustainable learning, teaching and research, driven by our academics’ curiosity, and address challenges internationally and locally in business, organisations and the economy.

“It will increase scope for cross-disciplinary collaboration, creating inspiring spaces which facilitate innovationand support our students in their learning and teaching within and beyond their degree programmes.

“The unique Postgraduate Teaching Hub will accommodate growth and will mean we can place business skills at the very heart of our PGT student experience, enhancing employability and adding value to a wide range of programmes across the university.”

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow added, “This is exciting news and will mean the university can continue to meet the changing needs and expectations of our students, enhancing employability and leadership skills, whilst positively influencing career destinations. It will be transformative for the Adam Smith Business School, supporting its ambition to become one of the world’s leading business schools, whilst revolutionising the PGT student experience across the campus.”

HASSELL principal Julian Gitsham commented, “This is a fantastic demonstration of the University of Glasgow’s commitment to creating world-class facilities for tomorrow’s business leaders. The new building will form a gateway between the city’s cultural quarter and the new campus square, andembody both the University’s long-standing civic partnership and its cutting-edge modern architecture.

“Through outstanding teaching, research and creative workplaces for students, academics and staff, the new school will facilitate industry and academic collaborations, and drive research and innovation.”