Date: 20 September 07
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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The Institute of Comparative Medicine is a high quality research facility established to promote collaboration between two departments of Glasgow University Veterinary School and provide centralised facilities to advance the work of several international research groups.
Located in the Garscube Estate on a steeply sloping site amongst older research buildings, the new building has physical bridge links with Vet Parasitology at low level and Vet Pathology at high level connecting into the circulation space. A glazed façade, white walls and open balustrades work together to bring light and a sense of verticality into this space. The drama of the space is heightened by a steel and slate stair supported on a single cantilever beam. The stair creates a strong feature within the space and on the north elevation where it projects the glazed curtain walling out beyond the building line and emphasises the angle of connection of all three buildings.
The organisation of accommodation on levels 2, 3 & 4 is similar, with the laboratories located to the glazed north face of the building. Auxiliary rooms are centrally located on plan and generally open off the main laboratory space. Smaller research offices are situated on the south side of the building.
On the top floor is an informal meeting place to enhance interaction between researchers and promote team work. A glazed wall frames wonderful views over the Campsie hills beyond. Glazed screens on the south elevation allow sunlight to penetrate the space from a roof light above the main corridor offering views back into the heart of the building.
The varying façade treatments reflect the internal organisation of the building. A simple palette of materials, including granite rain screen, pre-patinated zinc panels, brick, aluminium curtain walling wrap in planes around the building, with all elevations unified by a dark blue engineering brick base course.
Winner of the Glasgow Institute of Architects Design Award 2005
Project: Henry Wellcome Institute of Comparative Medicine
Architect: NJSR McLean Architects
Client: University of Glasgow,
Location: Garscube Campus, Glasgow
Cost: £5m
Link: www.njsrmclean.co.uk
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