Willowbank School

Empiric Student Property

The challenge

A traditional, red sandstone building, the former Willowbank School had been derelict for a number of years before our Client, Empiric, agreed to purchase it. A Planning consent was secured to convert the existing building into ancillary accommodation and very large studios for rental in the Glasgow student market. In addition to the re-purposing of the listed building, consent was granted to build two extensions on the site, providing more traditional student accommodation in cluster flats.

Our solution

The existing building involved many challenges but these were eased by our undertaking a comprehensive set of opening-up works. This allowed the establishment of the existing structural configurations and therefore informed how the client’s proposed alterations were to be delivered. A main feature within the existing building is a bright, top-lit atrium which has proved hugely popular space with residents.

The two extensions were constructed in LGSF and founded on piles. The extensions actually straddled an historic, poorly backfilled quarry. This meant significant investigations were needed to establish the alignment of the quarry wall and foundations designed accordingly thereafter.