Department Of Natural Philosophy, University Of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow

The Department of Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow, located on University Avenue, is a research and teaching building constructed in a Scots Renaissance style with later, classically Modernist extensions. The original building was designed by James Miller and built between 1903 and 1906. Extensions were added by Basil Spence & Partners, with Crouch & Hogg as engineers, in T-plan ranges to the north between 1947 and 1952, a rectangular-plan range to the west in 1959. A rooftop extension to the west range was added by Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson between 1966 and 1968, followed by a later 20th-century extension to the north range.

The original 1906 building has a quadrangular plan, with a lecture theatre block projecting from the northeast angle. It is constructed of snecked rubble with ashlar dressings. The extensions form a Z-plan arrangement, creating a quadrangle alongside the original building. These are steel-framed structures with cavity brick walls and an external facing of smooth Portland stone on the upper storeys and rock-faced Blaxter stone in the lower zone. A timber-clad penthouse sits atop the west range, and a concrete-framed, cantilevered lecture theatre, also with timber cladding, is situated within the central courtyard.

The main south elevation of the original building is arranged with 4 bays, separated by projection, and three-bay returns. It features elliptically-headed basement windows. The central entrance is approached by a flight of steps leading to a columned doorpiece with a strapwork pediment. A tripartite window above the entrance has outer pilasters, a corbelled cill, a sculpted pediment, and a central coped gable. Fluted Ionic pilasters rise from a raked cill band to the first floor; coped pediments adorn the east and west returns, topped by a balustraded die parapet. A cupola sits above the centre, featuring segmental-headed niches. The east and west elevations retain similar detailing in a simplified form, with a canted bay window in the north bay of the east return and corniced axial stacks.

The Spence extensions incorporate steps leading to a portico in antis on a single column at the northwest corner; a concrete balcony and metal railings enhance the entrance hall windows; and strip windows feature on the west range. The north range has a regular arrangement of windows in bays. A lecture hall is located at the northeast angle, with an external concrete staircase and balcony. The lecture theatre within the internal courtyard is splayed and cantilevered.

The original building’s windows are mainly four-light sash windows with stone mullions and transoms. The roof is slate. The Spence extensions have metal-framed casement windows, and full-height windows with timber mullions illuminate the foyer.

The interior, observed in 2010, includes a panelled entrance hall and staircase, granolithic floors, tiled dados to the corridors, and an exposed steel girder barrel roof to the former main lecture theatre, which was subdivided in 1991. The Spence extensions feature a concrete spiral staircase with terrazzo treads and steel and timber balustrades, terrazzo flooring, a steel cage lift, and plywood ceiling panels. The main lecture theatre (Room 222) features timber and steel desks and plywood wall panels, with timber doors and glazed panels with stylised handles.