Royal Veterinary College

The new facility, strategically positioned between two modern yet distinct buildings, serves as a public gateway to the more sensitive clinical areas, balancing control with a welcoming atmosphere. The building’s design focuses on campus cohesion, clear wayfinding, and high-quality social spaces, fostering new ways of learning, researching, and working.

The building is centered around a central concourse, which integrates seamlessly with the existing campus route, providing continuity and orientation for users. The teaching spaces, spanning three floors, wrap around this central street, connecting various functional areas such as laboratories, the Teaching and Research Centre, office spaces, social areas, lecture theatres, a library, and teaching labs. Externally, the building features a precast colonnade that creates a rhythmic pattern of light and shade, providing solar shading and privacy. This design element also helps unify the architectural styles of the surrounding buildings and clarifies entrance points and wayfinding.

A significant feature of the new building is the installation of 11 rows of Longlights, a type of Modular Skylight, provided by VELUX Commercial. These are positioned above the central space and above the teaching and research areas. The sleek design of the Longlights complements the modern aesthetic of the building, enhancing its visual appeal. The skylights also create dynamic light patterns throughout the day, adding to the building’s architectural interest.

The skylights flood the interior spaces with natural light, creating a bright and welcoming environment. This not only reduces the need for artificial lighting but also has been shown to improve the well-being and productivity of building occupants. Most of the Longlights include venting modules, which help to provide good indoor air quality by allowing fresh air to circulate. This is particularly beneficial in a research and teaching environment where good air quality is essential. Studies show that increased daylighting and ventilation within educational spaces enhances learning and increases attention spans. Read more about daylighting in learning environments.

Smoke ventilation is equally important for the building from a safety perspective. These skylights automatically open in the event of a fire, allowing smoke and heat to escape, which helps to protect lives and the property. These features make the VELUX Modular Skylights a valuable addition to the Royal Veterinary College’s infrastructure.

Flexibility was a key design driver, allowing the college to adapt to evolving curricula and technological advancements in research and teaching. The integration of VELUX Longlights significantly enhances the building’s environment, providing natural light, energy efficiency, and aesthetic value. The building has already received commendation from the Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards in the Education category, highlighting its excellence in design and functionality. Read more details about the building’s architecture.