Senate suite, University of Glasgow

The Senate Suite is located in the main University of Glasgow campus building designed by Gilbert Scott and first occupied in 1870.

The rooms, which were originally used as a Natural Philosophy lecture theatre, have been through a number of re-jigs and refurbishments over the years, being taken over by the Department of Naval Architecture in 1913 and the History department in 1958.

In 1968, the rooms were given a complete overhaul, converting them into the University Senate Chamber and hiding away many of the rooms' original features in the process.

The Senate Suite was recently stripped of its 1960s conversion, with the aim of creating a flexible space that, as well as providing a formal space for the University
Senate sessions and meetings of the University Court, could also be used for corporate presentations, social events, teaching, conferences and seminars.

The new work revealed much of the original fabric of the old building, particularly the original gothic windows.

Room acoustics modelling of the space was undertaken and an articulated reflecting ceiling was introduced to provide good acoustics for the range of different room layouts.

Acoustic panels were also installed on walls to moderate the reverberation time.

Design and photographs: MkW Design Partnership

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