Designs Revealed for Former Stow College Building

BDP’s designs for the conversion and extension of the former Stow College for the Glasgow School of Art have been submitted for planning.

Our proposals include the refurbishment of the five floors of the original 1930s building, replacement of the current rooftop extension and glazing over the massive interior light wells to form two atria which will offer flexible spaces for exhibitions and events.

The refurbished ground floor will include a wide range of specialist workshops in spaces that had historically been used for technical education including boilermaking, foundry work and vehicle building, alongside newly created studios.

The upper four floors will offer fully flexible studio space for undergraduate and post-graduate fine art students, and academic offices.
The biggest change to the building will be the removal of the current top floor, which was added in the 1960s and is of much lower standard than the original building. It will be replaced with a new extension specifically designed to meet the needs of the painting and printmaking disciplines, with top-lit north-facing windows ensuring a substantial provision of wall space. The partial double height area allows for the inclusion of a mezzanine floor.

Head of Glasgow studio Scott Mackenzie said “BDP is delighted to be part of the GTMS team working with The Glasgow School of Art to rejuvenate the former Stow College building as a School of Fine Art. This project not only brings new life to a cherished Glasgow landmark, but also provides the School of Fine Art with inspirational and truly world class teaching and learning spaces.”