Saltire Centre Glasgow Caledonian University building photos, Cowcaddens higher education architecture

Saltire Centre Glasgow Caledonian University

Sir Alex Ferguson Library / Saltire Centre Building, Strathclyde, Scotland design by BDP Architects.

post updated 15 February 2025

Address: Sir Alex Ferguson Library, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow G4 0BA

Phone: 0141 273 1000

Design: BDP Architects, UK

Dates built: 2003 – 2006

Saltire Centre

Saltire Centre – Sir Alex Ferguson Library

Caledonian University Building images © Adrian Welch

The “focus of learning and student services” on the Glasgow Caledonian University campus north of Glasgow city centre.

The curved form – coloured glass in bold white frame, floating on piloti.

This building provides services for students, active approaches to learning and teaching, a 21st century way of managing information, the repository of research collections, and engaging students.

The Saltire is also the name of the Scottish flag. Also known as the St Andrew’s Cross. The Saltire is pictured at the centre of the University’s crest. An appropriate name for a campus hub; the social, intellectual, and cultural heart of the campus.

The rather blunt end to the Saltire Centre, facing west

Stimulating university anchored in good conversation, say the architects BDP. Using the idea that learning begins with a conversation, we created a wide range of environments to stimulate thought or discussion.

These included group areas, cafés, incidental places on circulation routes, silent ‘monk cells’ and terraced south-facing garden areas.

At the heart of the building a soaring, perforated copper-clad drum staircase provides vertical circulation. Bridges span from the drum over a south-facing atrium and through a six storey ‘resource wall’ that separates quieter parts of the building. The wall and drum come to life at night with light and image projections.

Saltire Centre west end, north facade, east end

Saltire Centre architects : BDP

Glasgow Caledonian University campus

Photos of older Modern buildings on the campus

This Glaswegian higher education building was shortlisted at the Best Building in Scotland : RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture 2006 shortlist

Glasgow Caledonian

photo : Keith Hunter

Work completed on a major element of the £30m ‘Heart of the Campus’ project at Glasgow Caledonian University. The landmark higher education project commenced in May 2014 and has seen the transformation of the campus, located in Glasgow city centre.

Scottish Design Awards 2007 – Public Building Shortlist for Building Design Partnership (BDP)

This higher education building won at the RIBA Awards 2006

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Strathclyde Higher Education Buildings

Major Strathclyde Higher Education Building Designs – major architecture selection:

Glasgow University Building
Glasgow University Building
A first phase of work will see work to demolish the current mathematics building get underway in the spring, followed by the hospital over the summer to allow creation of a new Learning and Teaching Hub; Research Hub; Institute of Health & Wellbeing; Adam Smith Business School and a new College of Arts.

Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art

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Glasgow Education Buildings

Contemporary Glasgow Education Architectural Designs – recent Strathclyde educational property selection from this website:

St Aloysius College, Hill Street
Design: elder & cannon architects
Glasgow College

St Aloysius School : Clavius Building, 45 Hill St, G3 6RJ
Design: elder & cannon architects
Glasgow School building

Hazelwood School, Dumbreck, southwest of the city centre
Design: gm+ad architects
Hazelwood School

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Glasgow Walking Tours – city walks by e-architect guides

Armadillo Glasgow, SEC campus, north side of the River Clyde
Design: Foster + Partners, Architects

photo © Isabelle Lomholt
Clyde Auditorium

Website: Glasgow Caledonian University Library – Saltire Centre building

Burrell Museum, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Bellahouston, Glasgow G43 1AT, southwest of the city centre

Silverburn Shopping Centre

Comments / photos for the Saltire Centre Building – Sir Alex Ferguson Library Glasgow Caledonian University education property design by BDP Architects on Cowcaddens Road in Strathclyde, southwest Scotland, United Kingdom page welcome.

Website: Glasgow Caledonian University