Fusion

RMJM completed Fusion, Oswald St in May 2007, a mixed use residential development in the heart of the historic Broomielaw area of Glasgow, which is experiencing increasing investment. The development comprises 200 contemporary residential apartments, commercial space centred around a new public space. The space was designed in conjunction with the internationally acclaimed artist Peter McCaughey.

RMJM studied the urban dynamic of this location and proposed a radical design solution that cuts a city block in half to create a new public route linking the central shopping area of Glasgow with the City’s Riverside developments.

The site is adjacent to one of Glasgow’s most prominent listed buildings - the Clydeport Authority Headquarters. The development has an identity of its own while relating to the scale and material quality of the surrounding listed buildings.

The key feature of the development is the new pedestrian square, providing a quiet, high quality retreat from the surrounding city. The majority of flats enjoy an aspect onto this new square.

The development is highly distinctive, and forms a strong visual identity for this newly regenerated area.

The urban design concept simplifies the project into ‘individual’ building blocks: an 11 storey tower, and a 6 storey ‘box’ building. The blocks are united by an efficient structural grid that integrates the flats with the parking below. This simplification and separation of the development into blocks with different identities allows for a mix of product to respond to the local residential market. Materials used include Terracota, timber, zinc and render.

The units are designed to use efficient structural grids but avoid load bearing partitions within flats. This approach along with generous floor to ceiling glazing allows a floorplate with good natural daylight and ventilation which offers flexibility in layout to respond to the residents changing lifestyle.