HLM
Architects, a leading design and architecture company with studios in Glasgow,
attended the celebrations held to mark the topping out ceremony for the James
McCune Smith Learning Hub at the University of Glasgow.

Attended by
students, University representatives and the design and construction teams, the
ceremony marked the significant milestone for the £90.6 million project,
located on University Avenue. It is the first project which will be completed
within the University of Glasgow’s £1 billion Campus Development programme.

HLM Architects were
selected to create a stand-out design for the flagship 16640m² development,
providing over 2,500 students with state-of-the-art learning and teaching
facilities.

HLM worked collaboratively
with the University of Glasgow throughout all design stages to ensure that the
University’s ambitious vision for the future education of its students is successfully
brought to life. The thoughtful design has been inspired and driven by
user-group consultation at every level, emphasising the student experience now
and as it will develop in the future. 

A particular
focus has been the incorporation of technology and innovation, including a
500-seat lecture theatre, technology-enhanced seminar rooms of various sizes and
multi-purpose advanced learning spaces; combining flexible and social areas
with reflective study environments. 

The location
for the Hub, in the heart of the estate, overcomes the development constraints
of the historic Gilmorehill campus, and is a clear statement of intent from the
University to its staff and student community. The site will be pivotal in the
connectivity across the expanding campus and creates a ‘gateway’ building,
providing a sense of arrival for visitors to the University.

The new building is named after abolitionist and medic James McCune
Smith – the first African American to be awarded a medical degree, receiving an
MD from the University of Glasgow in 1837.

Patrick Clark,
Project Lead Consultant at HLM Architects said, “It has been a privilege to
lead the design process on the James McCune Smith Learning Hub at the
University of Glasgow. We listened to the ambitions of the University and were
truly inspired by the user-group consultations; the research we gathered on the
student experience was critical to our meaningful design approach. Our aim has
been to develop a environment that is open, enjoyable and accessible for all,
striving towards a world-leading educational facility for a world-changing
University.�

The
University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli,
said, “It’s tremendously exciting to see the progress being made on the James
McCune Smith Learning Hub, and I would like to congratulate all our
construction partners, on their work to this point.  Once complete, this will be a fantastic new
facility, enhancing our world-class learning and teaching credentials, and
helping to inspire future generations of students and staff at the University
of Glasgow.�

For more information, visit hlmarchitects.com