The Hub @ Glasgow University

The Hub project involved the £8m redevelopment of the University’s Hub building to house a central "One Stop Shop" pulling together a wide range of front-line student services. Close to the Library, the Round Reading Room and the Hunterian Art Gallery, this redevelopment provides flexible accommodation over 4 levels. The HUB offers easy access to a variety of student services, coffee bars, a food court with seating for 400, and space for a bookstore, GP practice and pharmacy.

The Hub comprises four distinct levels – with a GP practice and bookstore on level one; admissions, registry and careers offices on level two, leading to an outdoor piazza; the third level will house a modern cafe; and the fourth level will be given over to informal work and meeting zones for Hub staff. Throughout the building ribbon elements will create a fluid flow of mobility and information.

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The design utilises the existing concrete structural frame, floor slabs and concrete cladding panels, thereby saving the energy required to demolish, and transport the removed fabric, and reducing the resultant spoil. As well as the reduction in raw materials, we save the energy required for fabrication, transportation and erection of a new structure.

The project also sourced locally available materials to ensure reduced costs for transportation to the site. Examples of this are the heavy items such as natural stone cladding (north England), natural slate (Northern Scotland), and pre-cast concrete pavings (Central Scotland).

The concrete frame and slab floors have been left exposed in the public areas of the development. As well as saving on plasterboard or other linings, this has created a degree of self-regulation of temperature within the building, helping to create a cooler environment in hot weather and a warmer environment in colder months. The mass of the building acting as a heat store will allow heat gained during the day to be stored and emitted when temperatures drop in the evening.

Opening up the south of the building has allowed increased daylight in at basement level, creating a more useable space, but also enabling heat gain into this floor and saving on heating costs. The natural thermal insulation of the retained ground on the north and west side of the development remains.

As well as incorporating these construction and design good practices, energy efficient building services will provide a healthy, comfortable environment for students using the building.

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