The urban building is designed to have the key principles of sustainability, connecting with the natural environment and making Glasgow green again. It also links in with the key values of the client, such as community engagement. Glasgow Wood is proud to use reclaimed timber as part of its sustainability values. By incorporating timber and green spaces, this building aims to simultaneously revitalise the urban massing of Glasgow and represent Glasgow Wood’s key values.
This urban building is designed for Glasgow Wood to reimagine the urban fabric of Glasgow’s city centre by returning to the city’s roots. This design challenges the dominance of vehicular access by transforming oversaturated parking spaces into vibrant public realms, creating a dialogue between the built environment and nature. A courtyard space allows users to remember the material origins, where the craftsmanship of Glasgow Wood’s reclaimed furniture pieces meets the organic world that inspires them.
By incorporating timber and green spaces, this building aims to support and spread the message of sustainability by holding seminars and workshops. The main space will showcase different ways to use timber and the wider goal of how the city can improve sustainability. The exhibition spaces will allow users to experience the essence of the building by not restricting them to a single room, but by utilising the courtyard space and breaking the threshold between inside and outside.
Creating more green spaces allows for connection within the city centre. The Avenue Programme supports this, and to continue this, West Campbell Street is to be pedestrianised to allow easy access between the green spaces.
This building aims to simultaneously revitalise the urban massing of Glasgow and represent Glasgow Wood’s key values, by creating spaces that inspire, educate and employ while helping to restore Glasgow’s historic identity as the ‘Dear Green Place’.