The University of Aberdeen has lodged a planning application with Aberdeen City Council to create a new home for the University's Business School.
The application, which includes illustrative examples of the proposed design, marks a significant development in the University’s plans to regenerate its Old Aberdeen campus through a package of ongoing and proposed projects representing a combined investment of almost £100 million.
Central to this major investment is an anticipated growth in the University’s student population over the next 10 years, requiring enhanced teaching and learning facilities to meet the needs of students and staff.
The plans will see the Business School relocate from its current home in the MacRobert Building to a new home on the site of the currently dormant Johnston Halls, which will undergo a major refurbishment.
This will include a landmark new pavilion housing adaptable, accessible teaching and learning facilities, including state-of-the-art lecture and seminar space. A central foyer will provide additional social space and will be used for exhibition and public engagement activities. Landscaping will create an attractive outside space where students and staff can socialise and relax, with access routes to the rest of campus.
As well as a new home for the Business School, the University is planning sweeping improvements to its historic core, to deliver new teaching and learning space while maintaining and drawing upon its unique heritage.
Plans to enhance facilities in the immediate area of King’s College include a new flagship atrium, with connections to surrounding buildings that will be repurposed to meet the needs of a growing student population.
The work will see improvements to the interiors of a number of areas of King’s College, including the Old Senate Wing, Book Stack and Cromwell Tower, revitalising the historic centre of campus with quality new teaching and learning space while maintaining the magnificent facades of these historic buildings.
University of Aberdeen Vice-Principal Alan Speight, Convener of the Programme Board leading the project, said:
“The submission of our planning application is another step forward in our plans to revitalise our King’s College campus
“The proposed design for the new Business School will deliver an exciting, modern building that regenerates underused space on our campus while remaining sympathetic to its existing surroundings.
“Earlier this month we launched our Aberdeen 2040 strategy which sets out our bold ambitions for the University’s future. Looking ahead to the next 20 years, it is crucial we remain equipped to meet the needs of modern students with contemporary, adaptable and technology-ready facilities.
“These transformational plans will ensure we continue to provide our students and staff with world class teaching and learning facilities that will attract the best and brightest to Aberdeen. It also supports wider city ambitions to enhance the appeal of our region as a destination of choice.”