Glasgow College Of Building And Printing, North Hanover Street, Glasgow

The Glasgow College of Building and Printing, on North Hanover Street, Glasgow, was designed by Wylie, Shanks & Underwood between 1958 and 1964, with a later podium/millennium block added in 1969 by Wylie, Shanks & Partners. The main building is a 13-storey tower block of hexagonal plan, characterised by its flat roof and horizontal proportions, and exhibiting elements inspired by Le Corbusier’s architectural style.

The building’s structure is a reinforced concrete frame resting on exposed aggregate pilotis, with exterior cladding of Italian Travertine marble slabs and vitrolite (a type of opaque glass). A lower, single-storey podium block with reflective glazing and deep roof panels was added to the north.

The south elevation features seven massive pilotis supporting the building at ground level, with a large cantilevered concrete canopy sheltering the entrance, slightly left of centre. Above the ground floor, thirteen identical floors are arranged with a banded curtain wall, incorporating alternating bands of black vitrolite and deep windows that subtly converge towards a central ‘V’ projection. This is topped by a deeper band of lighter marble forming a parapet. The windows are arranged in a grid pattern of two square panes below a larger upper pane, all contained within metal frames.

The north elevation mirrors the south elevation up to the ground floor, with some bays being taller on the third, fourth and fifth floors, creating a double-height effect in parts. A projecting podium/millennium block is present at ground level.

The east and west elevations present a blank face of vertically-coursed marble blocks, punctuated by a narrow horizontal band.

The rooftop features a rectangular, wishbone-shaped former gymnasium, oriented east to west, along with concrete structures located centrally and to the west. These rooftop structures were later altered to incorporate a shed for telecommunications equipment installed after 2002.

The tower's interior retains much of its original structural layout with many of the original partitions remaining. While the doors above ground level have been replaced, some replacements are glazed timber, matching the originals. The original staircase is lined with terrazzo and features a timber handrail set into marble balusters. There are three original lifts. A notable feature is a "flying" staircase with a concrete spine, timber treads, and a timber and steel balustrade, connecting the 13th and 14th floors. The foyer retains its original flooring of grey and black marble slabs, pine lining to the ceiling, and wall coverings of pine, black vitrolite, and natural stone. Two original glazed partitions to the east of the foyer were removed, and the foyer extended to incorporate a service lift, formerly external. The reception desk was modified after 2002, with the addition of a curved fronted counter. Original printing machines are still found on the 10th floor.

The podium/millennium block, located to the north, is a low building with vertically-aligned reflective glazing, deep, overhanging roof panels, and a flat roof. An entrance on the east side is accessed by broad concrete steps. The interior of this block was completely refurbished in 1994.