QMUC Photos 8 Feb 2008
Architects: Dyer
Location: Scotland, UK
RE:Locate is a major new-build campus for Queen Margaret University (QMU). It is
Scotland’s first new university campus in forty years and is one of the few education
projects in the UK to receive an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating. Laid out over 35 acres, it is designed around an extensive flagship building which has been a key tool in the
client gaining “Top 10 Modern University” status* and is a strong visual statement of
QMU’s progressive approach to the delivery of Higher Education.
*Sunday Times ‘Good University Guide’ 2007
Purpose & Brief
From the outset, the client had a strong vision for a sustainable
parkland campus and was committed to developing the brief
through constructive dialogue. It stressed the need for an
attractive and distinctive campus that felt welcoming and
inspiring. The team quickly took ownership of the vision for a fitfor-
purpose, sustainable, and accessible academic village.
Location, site & context
The site is situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh and has
been masterplanned in close consultation with a number of
stakeholders including the local community. The first phase is
the subject of this submission and comprises the main building
(20,000m2), student residences, a combined sports, student
union and dance building, SUDS pond, biomass energy centre and
extensive landscaping.
The main building is a long and relatively low structure, designed to
meet the demands of high density use of the ground floor. The plan
promotes connectivity and maximises views. It exploits the natural
slope of the site to create a terraced internal atrium, with teaching
functions laid out to the east and administration to the west.
Balconies to the upper floors and atrium bridges provide places for
informal learning.
Materials & details
Materials have been chosen for their suitability, sustainability and
durability. The main building is a reinforced concrete structure clad
with a mixture of render, zinc, brick and glazing. Internally, an
extensive palette of colours and materials is used to articulate the
variety of spaces and create a dynamic interplay between them.
The atrium roof is clad with ETFE.
Innovation: social learning & shared spaces
At the outset, QMU envisaged a campus of separate buildings,
including a Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Dyer encouraged the
client to consider one single main building, with the non-secure
areas of the LRC distributed throughout the central atrium. This
has increased the capacity of the LRC to upwards of 1000 study
spaces; maximised opportunities for group and informal learning;
and integrated the facility into the very heart of the university,
within full view of both the teaching and office zones.
The building has also effected a culture change in the
administrative departments, which have wholly embraced openplan
working and the use of shared ‘break out’ spaces.
Sustainability
Sustainability has been the key driver behind QMU’s agenda for the
new campus. The building’s layout is not only conducive to social
learning but is highly efficient. Setting the offices out in ‘fingers’
has facilitated a natural ventilation strategy and provides optimum
access to natural daylight. Concrete’s qualities have been exploited
for heating / cooling purposes. Energy consumption and heat
generation have been drastically reduced through the use of ‘thin
client’ technology and carbon emissions reduced by 75% using a
biomass heating system. Rainwater is harvested in the SUDS pond.
Queen Margaret University
The first new higher education campus in Scotland for 30 years
QMUC Edinburgh - Images by Adrian Welch Jul 2007
QMUC News - Aug 2004
The future of Queen Margaret University College (QMUC) was in the balance this week as Scottish Ministers considered whether to call in plans for the £50m campus on the outskirts of Musselburgh, East Lothian.
QMUC Edinburgh - Jan 2004
Architectural practice Dyer Associates won the architectural competition to design QMUC's new campus. Queen Margaret University College launched an international competition, managed by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, to find an architect for its new East Lothian campus in September last year. Dyer Associates' winning proposal to carry out the detailed design work for the first phase of the QMUC project was chosen from over 30 entries from architectural practices from the UK and Europe.
QMUC: internal street by Dyer Associates
The new campus is on a site at Craighall - an area of 35 acres in East Lothian, adjacent to Musselburgh - and will include student residences and sports facilities as well as faculty buildings. Queen Margaret University purchased the site from Persimmon Homes.
image from Dyer Mar 2005
QMUC: Craighall Shortlist Dec 2003
Building Design Partnership
RMJM
Foster & Partners
Dyer Associates
QMUC
Queen Margaret University College (QMUC) was founded in 1875, as the Edinburgh School of Cookery. The College was granted permission to adopt the name Queen Margaret College in 1971, under the patronage of HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.
Dyer Associates
Dyer Associates is an architectural, interior design and space planning consultancy. The practice was established in Cheltenham in 1964 and now also operates from offices in London and Manchester. In 1986, Dyer Associates with the US architectural practice firm, Anshen + Allen founded Anshen Dyer.
Queen Margaret University College : Background
Scottish Architecture
QMUC judging panel:
Dr Barbara Kelly CBE DL.LLD (Chair)
Professor Tony Cohen, Principal, QMUC
Rosalyn Marshall, Vice Principal (Strategic Corporate Services), QMUC
Prof. Robin Webster, OBE ARSA FRIAS RIBA, Head of Graduate School, Scott Sutherland School of Architecture
Andrew P K Wright, Chartered Architect
Brian Moore, Director of RIAS Consultancy
World Architects
Edinburgh : back to index
Since the QMUC competition Dyer Associates rebranded as Dyer
Queen Margaret University College : Edinburgh property