The Vision

The decision to relocate to a new campus was made in 2002 after successive strategic reviews had revealed that the existing estate was no longer fit for purpose. The vision for the new campus was:

• To create a campus that provides a student centred learning experience, encourages lifelong learning and facilitates research and commercialisation in QMU's specialist subject areas

• To create a sustainable campus that is welcoming and inspiring to staff, students, visitors and the local community

• To create modern attractive buildings in a 'campus in the park' setting

• To create an attractive, distinctive campus that represents the unique characteristics of QMU

The Result

A Welcoming and Inspiring Campus - the Product of Outstanding Teamwork

When the project team came together to design and build the new Queen Margaret University campus, they were given a challenging brief. The university ’ s ambitions were high, the timescale tight and financial resources limited. Following an extensive procurement process, the university had secured the best talent that could be found from amongst the many professional disciplines that were required for the RE:LOCATE project.

Internally, students and staff were asked to look into the future and visualise the university of the 21st century, which was an equally challenging task. Both the internal and external teams then had to learn to work together. The proof of their joint ability to rise to this challenge lies before you today in this innovative, student-centred campus which sets new standards in university design.

Architectural firm Dyer brought with them experience in the health and education sectors. Their thinking was informed by student and staff ideas and supported by project managers, Heery, and an array of professional consultants. The result is an outstanding design.

Responding to new methods of student learning, the team has capitalised on the need for learning to be a social activity. It has therefore designed the campus to provide flexible teaching, learning and social spaces that promote collaboration through shared learning, multidisciplinary interaction and teamwork.

Interactive whiteboards, thin client technology, the new Learning Resource Centre, and impressive labs and clinics all provide students with outstanding learning facilities.

The campus achieved the highest BREAAM rating of any university in the UK, making it the ‘ greenest university ’ in the country. BREEAM is the recognised measurement tool for assessing the sustainability of buildings. Focused on the creation of a healthy environment and minimising pollution, the BREEAM assessment is based on a matrix of scores that look not only at the building ’ s design and site but also at a broad range of other issues including management systems, biodiversity and supporting the community. Indeed community input at the design stage resulted in the campus being designed to ‘ face ’ the local community.

Alongside the new academic and social buildings sit residences for 800 students, arranged in self catered flats, all with en-suite bedrooms. Provided by a joint venture between the university, Sanctuary Housing and HBOS, the residences help to create the vibrant academic village atmosphere that was also part of the campus design brief.

The campus has come to life in a way that exceeds all our expectations. Our thanks go to all those who helped us to fulfil our vision.

Rosalyn Marshall
Vice Principal & University Secretary
RE: LOCATE Project Controller