Glasgow Caledonian unveils £30m renovation plan
PLANS for the £30 million transformation of Glasgow Caledonian University have been unveiled.
The Cowcaddens Road site is to be redeveloped as part of the ambitious new Heart of the Campus project.
University buildings will be overhauled to create a 500-seat conference facility, a new glass reception and atrium and state-of-the-art teaching rooms.
The project is being funded by the university, which also plans to spend a further £20m renovating the interior of the Hamish Wood building.
As part of the initial blueprint, a glass entrance point and reception will be created at the front of the Hamish Wood, including exhibition space, an information zone and a cafe.
The ground level of the George Moore building will be home to a restaurant.
A dedicated “one-stopshop” for student support services will be created on the first floor of the building along with a Skype suite and a “hang out” area.
The plans were due to be lodged with Glasgow City Council yesterday. If approved, construction work will start in June next year and could be completed by January 2016.
Andy Bateman, from Glasgow-based Page\Park, the architects behind the project, said the work was first discussed in 2010.
He said: “It is exciting now to see this idea being realised and we are thrilled to be working with the university in its delivery.
“The project revolves around how spaces connect people and how the university connects into the city. The design will create more opportunities for people to interact, socially and academically, and will help to enrich the sense of community that is so evident within the university.”
Jan Hulme, university secretary and vice-principal of governance, said: “Not only will it revitalise the look of the campus with its exciting, contemporary design, but the project will also create dynamic spaces for learning and teaching and enhance the feeling of community on campus.”
Ms Hulme said students had helped putting designs together. She added: “Front- line student services such as careers, international student support and student funding will be located through an easily-accessible ‘one-stop-shop’.”
Glasgow Caledonian has a total of 17,000 students in Glasgow and London.
Student president Carla Fyfe said: “Students took part in a series of consultations and interviews and we are delighted with the exciting blend of learning and social spaces.
“The one-stop-shop concept for student services is the perfect solution for the delivery of advice, guidance and information.”