WELLINGTON STREET HOTEL, GLASGOW

As a city that pioneered the use of cast iron and steel in commercial buildings following the Industrial Revolution, Glasgow is known for its use of ‘modern’ materials developed by local architects to provide cost-effective workspaces throughout the Victorian period. This design seeks to replicate such historic principles, applying appropriate interpretation to suit modern day.

As structural capabilities significantly improved throughout the 19th century the introduction of metal frames allowed for facades to become non-loadbearing and therefore thinner than their structural ancestors, taking on a more slender presence with repeated vertical elements introducing clear rhythmic articulation to the elevation. Such a principle has been incorporated into the facade, with window spacing decreasing as the building progresses upwards. Aluminium, rather than cast iron, is used to create the facade structure, with subtle embellishments (angled window soffits/ profiled metalwork) introduced to provide hierarchy and differentiation.

Care is taken to ensure the proposal appropriately relates to its neighbours, many of which are listed, by continuing broad facade datum lines and classical orders that are historically apparent on the adjoining buildings. Furthermore a material palette has been chosen that reflect the prevailing colours and textures of the city as a whole.