Strathclyde School of Architecture

Strathclyde School of Architecture
Architecture Building
The Architecture Building looking west, with Gerald Laing's Callinish sculpture to the right.
Alternative names	Learning and Teaching Building: Mary Dunn Wing
General information
Type	Academic
Architectural style	Brutalist
Address	131 Rottenrow, Glasgow
Coordinates	( 55°51′43″N4°14′32″W / 55.86191°N 4.24225°W / 55.86191; -4.24225 (Architecture Building, Strathclyde University) )
Year(s) built	1964-67
Opened	1967
Cost	£307,107
Owner	University of Strathclyde
Technical details
Floor count	2
Lifts/elevators	1
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Prof Frank Fielden
Architecture firm	Frank Fielden & Associates

The Strathclyde School of Archtecture (colloqually known as the Architecture Building, but now officially called the Mary Dunn Wing), is an academic building in Glasgow, Scotland and part of the University of Strathclyde, John Anderson Campus.

At its completion in 1967, it was notable for being the first purpose built architecture school in the United Kingdom ^[1] and is a celebrated piece of Brutalist architecture within the city. ^[2] Since 2012, it has been protected as a Category B listed building.

Background and Construction

The Architecture Building was constructed between 1966 and 1967 to a design by Professor Frank Fielden (1915-2001) - then the head of the Department of Architecture of Building Science at the newly established University of Strathclyde. ^[3] The building is to date, the only building on the campus to have been designed in-house. As part of the original campus masterplan by Robert Matthew, the closely related disciplines of Architecture and Civil Engineering would be clustered together in a single complex of two buildings. The neighbouring Colville Building (designed by Matthew's own practice), joins to the south of the Architecture School by way of an open air plaza. The thin footprint of the building reflected its restricted position at the summit of Balmanno Brae, with the northern elevation looking out onto a landscaped area containing Gerald Laing's Callanish steel sculptures.

The exterior of the building consists of 12 precast concrete bays decorated by copperised screening panels, which are cantilevered over a pedestrian walkway at ground level, thus giving shelter from the elements.

The interior of the building was designed in an open plan fashion, with design studios framed by a service core containing toilets, stairways and smaller seminar rooms. Fielden also designed bespoke furniture for the building which allowed for spaces to be adapted for individual needs.

The building was formally opened by The 4th Viscount Esher, on 16th February 1967.

Later Developments

In 2004, the university embarked on a 20-year programme of remodelling and renewal of the John Anderson Campus. Part of this was to cluster the engineering departments on the "Island Site" (the original Royal College and James Weir Building) - with both the Departments of Architecture and Civil Engineering moving from their former homes, thus leaving both the School of Architecture and the Colville Building redundant. This led to initial fears that the building may be demolished ^{[4] [5]}

In September 2012, the building was granted Grade B listed status by Historic Scotland ^[6]

In 2017, the university announced a £60m project ^{[7] [8]} to redevelop both the Architecture and Colville Buildings into a Learning and Teaching Hub. Construction began in 2018 with the strip out of both buildings, and the new complex opened in July 2021, construction having been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Architecture Building was given the new name Mary Dunn Wing in relation to the university's first female professor ^[9]

References

1. Campbell, Ruairidh. "Building of the month September 2012 : Strathclyde University School of Architecture". Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
2. Halliday, Peter; Stewart, Alan. Braw Concrete : Post-war architecture in Glasgow. ISBN   978-1-916471-84-9.
3. "Towhnead Demolition". The Glasgow Story. Strathclyde University Archives. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
4. "Strathclyde University refuse to rule out demolition of brutalist Architecture Building". Urban Realm. Urban Realm Ltd. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
5. Mark, Laura. "Anger as Strathclyde school of architecture leaves Brutalist home". Architect's Journal UK. EMAP Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
6. "131 ROTTENROW, UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE, ARCHITECTURE BUILDING". Historic Environment Scotland. Historic Scotland. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
7. "University of Strathclyde unveils designs for £60m learning and teaching hub". Scottish Construction Now. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
8. "UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE LEARNING AND TEACHING PROJECT". Scottish Design Awards. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
9. Lennon, Holly. "New £60m Strathclyde University building to be named after three inspirational women". Glasgow Live. MGN Ltd. Retrieved 9 October 2023.