New college opened by Scotland’s First Minister

BDP was responsible for the £51m redevelopment of Anniesland College in the West End of Glasgow which brings all its students onto one central campus for the first time. The further education college, which was designed according to low and passive energy principles, has 17,400 sqm of learning space over five floors.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who officially opened the college, said: “The new and innovative Anniesland College building gives students the opportunity to learn in modern surroundings, and to benefit from excellent facilities. This will enhance their educational experience as well as providing a valuable resource for the local community to use.”

The new campus will offer students state-of-the-art teaching areas which include; three dance studios with fully sprung flooring, a large construction, building and engineering workshop area where up to date equipment, tools and safety procedures are in place, as well as a fully functioning kitchen for hospitality students where they can get their first taste of life in a large working kitchen. Other facilities include a gymnasium, art studios, motor vehicle workshops, networking rooms, specialist travel and tourism rooms, and a purpose built nursery.

The project was completed over three phases which led to extensive enabling works, careful strategic design at campus level and an overall construction programme that extended from late 2007 until 2010.