CMS Window Systems has played a key role in delivering high quality student accommodation for the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), helping a leading developer breathe new life into a city centre office building that had become surplus to requirements.
As student numbers soar across the UK, forward thinking developers and universities are working hard to meet the growing demand for high quality student accommodation.
Whilst new build development often represents the ideal solution, limited site availability in city centre locations can make refurbishment of redundant buildings a more feasible approach. This was the case for the GSA which was keen to provide additional accommodation for its students in the heart of Glasgow, close to its Garnethill campus.
Developer Cityheart Ltd, who have a strong track record in working with the public sector in regeneration projects such as student accommodation, have facilitated this by breathing new life into the disused eight-storey Blythswood House. Designed by Cooper Cromar, this refurbishment project has transformed a disused office building into the convenient new student residences that the GSA sought for its 2015 intake.
Located on West Regent Street to the west of Glasgow city centre, Blythswood House is a short walk from the GSA’s main campus, providing 218 rooms arranged over six floors. These rooms are arranged in clusters of six to eight rooms with communal kitchen, dining and seating areas. There are also self-contained apartments at ground floor and roof level for the building’s warden and visiting lecturers and tutors, plus superb amenities including studios, workshops, exhibition space, a cinema and a gym.
Working with main contractor Graham Construction, CMS Window Systems was appointed to design, manufacture and install high performance, contemporary style aluminium windows for the building’s external envelope. Using the Metal Technology 4-20 thermally broken system, CMS has provided over 500 windows on the project as well as installing the bespoke panels which feature as part of the external envelope refurbishment solution.
CMS Window Systems routinely delivers projects like Blythswood House for main contractors across the UK to the highest standard. The company is a leading aluminium curtain walling, window and door manufacturer and installer which was one of the first contractors of its kind to become BIM-ready. Its technical capabilities and systems portfolio ensure the company is equipped to deliver a wide range of projects and applications including hotels and leisure complexes, student accommodation, schools and office buildings.
GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries, the GSA’s role has continually evolved and developed.
