Library
University of Glasgow
Hillhead Street
Glasgow.

The University of Glasgow Library at Hillhead was designed by Sir William Whitfield in the early 1960's and is visible from many parts of Glasgow.

Whitfield gave particular attention to the form of the building with regard to it’s prominent position within the skyline of the city, and also in relation to existing and proposed buildings in the immediate vicinity.

The internal body of the building was deliberately kept free of obstruction allowing flexibility of layout, with the outer edges of each floor beside the windows used for reading areas and the centre for book stacks. Stairwells, lift shafts, and other services were pushed to the periphery, giving rise to the stepped towers which characterize the profile of the building.

The tallest tower (Tower 5) intentionally invites comparison with the Gothic tower of the Main Buildings of the University.

The proposed lighting design is intended to emphasize the vertical massing and linear geometry of the Library.

The lighting will vary across the differing perspectives and elevations of the Library, in sympathy with the varying profile of the building.

The proposed lighting will counterpoint the style of existing lighting given to the Tower and Spire of the main University building, in a similar way that the two architectural styles contrast.

The extension of the Library at floor twelve will be deliberately overlooked by the lighting design in order to regain the original skyline silhouette of Whitfield’s design.

Project Status: Not adopted. Budget to enable the design could not be met.