The learning and teaching hub, which formed the initial phase of the University of Glasgow’s expansion programme, creates a signature gateway building at the heart of the expanded Campus based on active learning pedagogies, in the heart of a conservation area.
James McCune Smith Learning Hub
- Client: University of Glasgow
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Value: £90m
Services
- Architecture
- Interior design
- Landscape architecture
- Social value
- Sustainability
Awards
- Glasgow Institute of Architects
- Learning Places Scotland 2021
- Scottish Property Awards
- Mixology North 2021
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Social Value
The James McCune Smith Learning Hub (JMS) is named after the prominent civil rights activist and first African American to be awarded a medical degree, awarded by the University of Glasgow in 1837.
We worked with the University to design their new hub to further enhance Glasgow’s reputation as a welcoming, accessible and world-renowned destination for learning.
Our design was inspired and driven by students, staff, and community consultation at every level. Emphasising the student experience, we created an inspiring environment that is open and accessible for all, providing a lasting positive impact on the campus and community it serves.
Sustainability
Guided by the University’s Glasgow 2020 – A Global Vision, we designed a hub that combines world-class learning spaces with a truly sustainable approach. Fresh air, excellent acoustics, and a focus on comfort, safety, and wellbeing sit alongside low-carbon, adaptable design.
With our dedicated sustainability champion and HLM’s smart strategies to reduce energy use during construction and beyond, our design achieved BREEAM Excellent. It feels welcoming and resilient, and is ready to support future generations of learners.
Project data
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BREEAM Excellent rating.
We designed the James McCune Smith Learning Hub to deliver an exceptional student experience within a dynamic learning environment, at the heart of the university campus.
With a variety of interactive teaching and active learning spaces, we’re proud that the hub supports a motivated, vibrant, and diverse community of learners and academics.
Ross Barrett Design Director
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In focus
Interior Design
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Our simple palette of materials creates a ‘Scandi industrial’ vibe, including a beautiful screen wall.
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Colour accents were taken from the Glasgow sky; burnt oranges, yellows and blue hues.
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We selected furniture to create a playful and exciting learning landscape, capturing the student and University’s vision.
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This world-leading learning and teaching facility will further enhance our offering for students at Glasgow, putting technology, connectivity and accessibility at the heart of the learning experience. Named after the pioneering James McCune Smith, the first African American to be awarded a medical degree and an alumnus of the University, it will ensure future generations of students from a broad range of backgrounds are able to benefit from a university education at Glasgow.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow
A Sticky Campus
We designed the new hub to improve cohesiveness and connectivity across the campus. The building showcases formal and informal learning and teaching through a welcoming, open environment that encourages students to linger – a sticky campus.
To fully understand student and teach aspirations, we visited exemplar schemes in Australia with the University, and then trialed new learning pedagogies in a series of pilot rooms. This enabled us to test new approaches such as flipped classrooms and TEAL spaces.
The mixture of lecture theatres, small group rooms, breakout and study areas reflects a growing trend in making faculty areas more bespoke, and focusing general teaching in a shared learning hub that embraces new teaching pedagogies.
