Glasgow Science Centre

Engaging science centre secures triple first for Scotland.

We won a national competition to design this scheme — the largest Millennium Commission-funded project in Scotland.

We designed three iconic buildings: the country’s first IMAX theatre; the Science Mall with hands-on exhibition space, a planetarium, two theatres, lab, café, shop, offices and workshops; and Scotland’s tallest free-standing structure (concept by Richard Horden Associates), which rotates according to wind direction.

The buildings are wrapped in cutting-edge materials including titanium and aluminium, and form a single entity thanks to features such as a linking teflon fabric roof and a ‘discovery’ tunnel.

Brief

  • build a centre that stimulates public understanding of science

Results

  • Scotland’s best family attraction (Good Britain Guide, 2001)
  • buildings are exhibits in their own right
  • smaller carbon footprint thanks to natural stack-effect ventilation, high-thermal mass concrete structures and river-cooled interiors
  • awards include: RIBA Award for Architecture 2002, Glasgow Institute of Architects Design Award 2001, Bentley Success Award 2003, Dynamic Place Award 2002

Facts

Location: Glasgow, UK
Client: Glasgow Development Agency
Construction cost: £33m
Completed: 2001
Awards: 7

Integrated services

architecture, interior and graphic design, landscaping

Links to images