UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW Estates Conservation Strategy Low Resolution Version Simpson & Brown Architects January 2012 CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 Setting the scene of the Estates Conservation Strategy – the study area, background to the report and useful information 1.1 Project team 1 1.2 Acknowledgements 1 1.3 Abbreviations 1 1.4 Architect references 2 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 Summarising the key parts of the ECS – this can be extracted as standalone document for quick reference: explains what the ECS is and how it can be used, and highlights the key findings 2.1 The significance of the estate 3 2.2 The need for the Estates Conservation Strategy 3 2.3 The study area 4 2.4 Format & purpose 5 2.5 Planning context 6 • Diagram: Key Influences • Diagram: Format of the ECS • Diagram: Benefits of having an ECS 2.6 The gazetteer 9 • Diagram: Layout & How to use the Gazetteer 2.7 Conclusions 10 • Key conclusions • Key opportunities 2.8 Example scenarios 12 • Scenario 1: Proposed refurbishment project of an existing non-listed building on the Gilmorehill Campus. • Scenario 2: Proposed refurbishment project of an existing significant building on the Gilmorehill Campus. • Scenario 3: Construction of new building requires all or part of significant listed building to be demolished (not in Conservation Area). • Scenario 4: Internal modifications to significant listed buildings to convert office into teaching space 2.9 Strategic maps 17 • Statutory constraints – listed buildings & conservation areas • Significance - highlighting buildings that are, and are not important. Which benefit the campus and which detract. • Opportunities – highlighting areas and buildings where development or University of Glasgow Estates Conservation Strategy – Contents disposal can be considered • Landmarks • Views & elevations • Landscape features • Dates of Construction • Key architects 2.10 Summary list of policies 25 3.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 27 Historical analysis to understand why the University campus is the way it is today: Key dates, people involved & background information. 3.1 Gilbert Scott & the new university buildings 27 3.2 Other 19th century developments 28 3.3 Early 20th century developments & early masterplans 29 3.4 Development planning 30 3.5 Post-war expansion of the university 35 3.6 Recent developments 35 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNFICANCE 37 A summary of the significance of the campus: what is important, what has a negative influence on the campus and areas where change could take place. 4.1 Introduction 37 4.2 Table of significance 38 4.3 Map – significance of buildings on central campus 43 4.4 Map – significance of buildings on outlying areas of the campus 44 5.0 OPPORTUNITIES 45 Sites that can be developed, options for disposal and highlighting areas where new projects could be considered that would benefit the overall campus. 5.1 Table of strategic opportunities 45 5.2 Map – strategic opportunities 46 6.0 OPEN SPACE CHARACTER AREA GAZETTEER 47 Each open space area on the Gilmorehill campus identified by character: description analysis and recommendations. 6.1 Open space character area summary list 47 6.2 Map – open space character areas 48 6.3 Gazetteer 49 University of Glasgow Estates Conservation Strategy – Contents 7.0 BUILDINGS GAZETTEER 81 Each building on the Gilmorehill campus: a summary of background information, recommendations. Arranged by E&B number. 8.0 POLICIES 301 The policy section provides the guidelines for the conservation, restoration and future use of the buildings. 8.1 Base policies 301 8.2 Statutory and non-statutory constraints 304 8.3 Retention of Significance 308 8.4 Repairs 309 8.5 Safety, vandalism and security 326 8.6 Restoration 329 8.7 Work to the Interiors 331 8.8 Adaptation of buildings to a new use 336 8.9 Additions to existing buildings 339 8.10 Development opportunities 341 8.11 Disposal and sale 351 8.12 Landscape 353 8.13 Access 357 8.14 Interpretation and understanding 358 8.15 Maintenance 359 8.16 Management 360 8.17 Community engagement 366 9.0 APPENDICIES Appendix I Historic Scotland listed building reports Appendix II Historical development of the university Appendix III Gilmorehill House Appendix IV Architects’ biographies University of Glasgow Estates Conservation Strategy – Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Team The study team from Simpson & Brown comprised John Sanders, Tom Parnell, Nicholas Uglow & Cath Richards. John Sanders is a Partner at Simpson & Brown. Tom Parnell, Nicholas Uglow & Cath Richards are architectural historians. The study team from the University of Glasgow Estates & Buildings comprised Steve Sutton (Assistant Director (Project Services)), Mary Beaton (Senior Estates Development Manager) & Jennifer Russell (Town Planning Manager). 1.2 Acknowledgements Simpson & Brown gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided by the following persons, archives and organisations during the completion of this report (in alphabetical order): • Sheena Dickson, University of Glasgow Estates & Buildings • Nick Haynes • Louisa Humm, Historic Scotland • Andrew Lockwood • Ranald MacInnes, Historic Scotland • Judith Parson, Glasgow City Council • George Rankin, Glasgow City Council • Lesley Richmond & Colleagues, Glasgow University Archives • Ruth Smith, Glasgow City Council • William Whitfield • DoCoMoMo • Friends of Glasgow West • Hillhead Community Council • University of Glasgow Photographic Unit 1.3 Abbreviations A number of abbreviations have been used throughout this report and are identified as follows: GCC – Glasgow City Council GUA – Glasgow University Archives UoG – University of Glasgow ML – Mitchell Library NAS – National Archives of Scotland NLS – National Library of Scotland RCAHMS – Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland S&B – Simpson & Brown Architects University of Glasgow Estates Conservation Strategy – Introduction 1 1.4 Architect References Please note that this report refers to ‘Sir George Gilbert Scott’ and ‘John James Burnet’ as the architects of the Thomson building. Scott was not knighted until after his building was first opened – he was knighted in 1872– but his later title has been used in order to distinguish him from one of his sons who was also an architect by the name George Gilbert Scott. References to ‘Burnet’ or ‘J J Burnet’ should not be confused with his father, John Burnet, also an architect. Whilst J J Burnet was also knighted, in 1914, the additional initial normally suffices to distinguish him before this date. It has been the intention that references to other architectural practices use either the name of the firm at the point the building was completed, or the most commonly accepted name of the firm if the same firm designed a number of buildings across the campus. In most instances, the name used is that which is referred to in the Dictionary of Scottish Architects. 2 University of Glasgow Estates Conservation Strategy – Introduction 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY “Conservation is all of the activities needed to care for the heritage, including work such as maintenance, repair and restoration. Conservation management can include other activities such as interpretation, creating new facilities, managing visitors, providing access, setting aside resources and involving people.”1 2.1 The Significance of the Estate The campus currently consists of 172 buildings, of which 1132 are listed by Historic Scotland as being of historical and/or architectural significance. These figures include the recently acquired buildings of the Western Infirmary, which includes one listed building. This not only makes the University of Glasgow one of the largest single landowners in Glasgow, but one of the principal managers of listed buildings in Scotland. Historic Scotland carried out a review of the University of Glasgow campus and the Western Infirmary site during 2010-11. This enhanced the list descriptions for existing listed building and added four new listings covering a total of eight buildings on the campus. The listed building reports are all included in Appendix I. Six buildings on the campus are considered to be, or contain elements of outstanding significance. These are the Gilbert Scott building; the Pearce Lodge; the south wing of Lilybank House; number 12 University Gardens; the Mackintosh- designed interiors installed in the Hunterian Gallery; and the Wellington Church. In addition, ten buildings, or groups of buildings, are of considerable significance. There are however some buildings or areas that are of negative significance, and the overall estate would be improved were these to be redeveloped in the future. In recognition of its historical, social and architectural importance, the overall campus is therefore considered to be of outstanding significance. The significance of the estate goes beyond the significance of individual buildings, and can be assessed in terms of its topographical and historical context. The siting of the Gilbert Scott building on the crest of the hill was a deliberate statement of the University’s significance in the city when it moved from the High Street in 1870. It used the hill and the slope above the Kelvin for its dramatic setting. It provides a stunning presence when viewed from Kelvingrove Park and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and can be seen from miles around making it an important citywide landmark. 2.2 The Need for the Estates Conservation Strategy The University of Glasgow is at an important point in its developmental history. The growth of the campus beyond the original 21-acre site has