steven holl completes reid building at glasgow school of art

steven holl architects has completed the ‘seona reid building’ at the glasgow school of art, an addition that is envisioned as a complimentary contrast to charles rennie mackintosh’s iconic building completed over 100 years before. the translucent materiality of the design juxtaposes the masonry of the existing structure, allowing the building to express the school’s activity within the city’s urban fabric. creating a 21st century model for the university, the scheme’s interior and exterior work simultaneously in engaging the functional needs and psychological desires of the program. the design embodies the school’s future aspirations, making connections with the city and relating to the architecture of mackintosh building opposite.

the project is envisioned as a complimentary contrast to charles rennie mackintosh’s iconic 1909 building
image © iwan baan (also main image)

using the workshop as the basic building block within the design, spaces have been arranged to both reflect their interdependent relationships and to accommodate their varying needs for natural light. studios are positioned on the northern façade with large inclined areas of glazing maximizing access to desirable northern light. volumes that do not have a requirement for the same quality of natural luminance, such as the refectory and offices, are positioned at the southern elevation where access to sunlight can be balanced with the occupants needs and the thermal performance can be influenced through shading.

the juxtaposing materiality of the two structures
image © iwan baan

shafts, termed ‘driven voids of light’, illuminate the building while providing a direct connection with the outside world, through displaying the constantly shifting color of the sky. additionally, they provide vertical circulation through the building, eliminating the need for air conditioning. along the southern elevation an external landscape gives the school a social core which opens towards the city. natural vegetation and stone work routes the water into a small recycling pond which reflects dappled sunlight onto the internal ceiling.

studios are positioned along the northern façade with large inclined areas of glazing
image © iwan baan

open to the workings of the school, a connected circulation route encourages interaction between the various departments. the circuit of stepped ramps links all the major spaces, lobby, exhibition space, project spaces, lecture theater, seminar rooms, studios, workshops and green terraces for informal gatherings and exhibitions.

workspaces are filled with natural light
image © iwan baan

vertical circulation routes illuminate connected volumes
image © iwan baan

a connected circulation route encourages interaction between the school’s various departments
image © iwan baan

the circuit of stepped ramps and stairways links all major programs
images © iwan baan

light shafts illuminate the building while providing a direct connection with the outside world
image © chris mcvoy

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project info:

client: the glasgow school of art
architect: steven holl architects – steven holl, chris mcvoy (design architects), chris mcvoy, noah yaffe (partner in charge), dominik sigg (project architect), rychiee espinosa, scott fredricks, jongseo lee, jackie luk, fiorenza matteoni, dimitra tsachrelia, ebbie wisecarver (project team) dominik sigg (competition project architect), peter adams, rychiee espinosa (competition team)
associate architects: JM architects
project manager: turner & townsend
general contractor: sir robert mcalpine
engineer: ove arup & partners
breeam assessor: ove arup & partners
quantity surveyor: turner & townsend
cdm coordinator: cyril sweett
landscape architect: michael van valkenburgh and associates
planning: turley associates

program: art, design, and architecture school including studios, project spaces, lecture theater, seminar rooms, café, exhibition, and academic administrative spaces
project type: competition (first prize)
building area: 11,250 sqm (121,094 sqf)