University of the West of Scotland - New Lanarkshire Campus

The UWS new Lanarkshire campus illustrates the way in which office spaces are starting to morph into other types of workspace and vice versa. In this case where a shell & core office development was able to be converted into a university campus incorporating the full range of workplaces that might be expected of a modern learning environment (e.g. lecture theatre, teaching rooms, library, café, specialist laboratories). As such it illustrates the kind of inherent flexibility required of all major developments if they are going to be able to respond to changing markets and changing workstyles.

The 24,786 m² (GIA) complex was turned from shell & core into a live working environment within 24 months of FBC approval and, hugely significantly, if we are going to learn how to fund learning environments in the future, for just 20% of the capital expenditure associated with conventional educational building. It employed a highly innovative procurement route and resulted in a highly innovative and beautiful working environment.