Page\Park lead Bristo Square Wellbeing Centre
March 23 2018
This will entail refurbishment of the lower three levels of the current Morris & Steedman designed modernist building, coupled with access improvements and connectivity with a neighbouring health centre.
New additions include a single-storey entrance pavilion and green roof intended to complement the unlisted concrete structure without resort to pastiche or mimicry, while remaining subservient to the dominant McEwan Hall.
Outlining their site strategy the architects wrote: “It is intended that the new entrance will enhance the streetscape, and mutually benefit the external civic space (creating a new internal arcade opening out onto the square), and the existing building (providing a necessary accessible route to the Wellbeing Centre, the University Medical Centre and university pharmacy).”
Finished in pre-cast concrete cladding with bronze finish curtain walling the extension will sit as an extrusion of the existing podium deck.
6 Comments
#1 Posted by TepidMouse on 23 Mar 2018 at 14:58 PM
I’m almost lost for words. Is this a resurrection of the St James Centre? Truly horrific.
#2 Posted by Cameron on 23 Mar 2018 at 16:21 PM
That is truly amazing. Why do we allow universities to get away with such bad architecture?
#3 Posted by Neil McAllister on 23 Mar 2018 at 16:28 PM
You do realise that this is an existing building. The changes are extending/opening up the base.
The major downside to this is it makes it even less likely that the masterplanned redevelopment of these buildings will happen anytime soon.
The major downside to this is it makes it even less likely that the masterplanned redevelopment of these buildings will happen anytime soon.
#4 Posted by Numpty spotter on 23 Mar 2018 at 17:28 PM
#1&2.....Did you even read the piece?... ever been to the big city?
#5 Posted by Stephen on 23 Mar 2018 at 20:52 PM
Yes, the problem is that the University Medical Centre has never been 'subservient' to the McEwen Hall. This is a good interim solution, but I should think the masterplan will still be rolled out in the next 10 years or so.
#6 Posted by J temple on 25 Mar 2018 at 22:30 PM
#1 & #2 The majority of this is an existing building. Good to see modernist buildings in this area given new life however, this approach weakens the conceptual idea of a tower on a plinth. It is a pity that this building couldn't be reimagined in a similar way to the transformative treatment adopted on the Appleton tower. I'm interested to see how these proposals address the realignment of Bristo place and the demolition of the student union. I'm not sure that this could be called a 'pavilion'. Its a shame that the University has not pushed for the level of design quality achieved on the new additions to the McEwan Hall opposite. I have been a big fan of Page Park over the years, this is by far one of their weakest contributions of recent times.
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