Muirhead House
Location: University of Stirling Campus, Stirling
Client: University of Stirling Campus
Value: £4.5 million
Status: Complete
The refurbishment of Muirhead House has been completed! This project enhances the quality of student accommodation at the University of Stirling, ensuring students benefit from the significant improvements made to the building to modernise and boost energy efficiency and for students to enjoy comfortable and secure spaces to live, learn and call home.
This project was supported by a loan from the Scottish Funding Council’s Route to Net Zero Carbon programme and is part of the University’s goals of achieving net zero by 2040. As part of the University’s strategy for thermal improvement, the proposals consist of replacement double-glazed windows, an insulated warm roof system and cavity wall insulation. In addition, low rise, roof mounted array photovoltaics offset electrical costs together with replacement ventilation plant equipment on the roof.
Design Criteria
Care has been taken to ensure the key qualities of the existing buildings, which are rooted in the 1968 Masterplan, are maintained in the refurbishment of the buildings. For these works, the following principles have been followed: Light building to dark background. Horizontal window configuration. Bold planes of blank walls.
The building facade concrete features and Flagreca blockwork have been cleaned renewed to enhance and improve the external fabric. The building comprising of 2 to 5 bedroom flats spread over four levels, totally 127 bedrooms. Each flat has an open plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, and individual bedrooms are equipped with a fitted vanity unit, wash hand basin with a backlit mirror. Works included new kitchens and bathrooms along with new flooring, decoration, furniture and purpose made fixtures, lighting, fire alarm systems, WiFi, Cat6A cabling, door access control system and appropriate fire stopping.
Internal Concept
The key material principles are to create vibrant and energetic social areas and personal bedrooms. Internally, the palette of materials compliments a broad furniture selection, ease of maintenance and to suit the function of the space.
Kitchens & Social areas have a feature colour wall that provides visual interest and identity, consisting of a maintenance free semi-reflective panel. The principle of the communal spaces inside the flats is to create warm and energetic rooms. The principle of the bedrooms is to create an intimate and personal space for relaxation and study.
Materials & Character
The fenestration comprises of glazed black double-glazed windows with black Rockpanel cladding panels with feature black aluminium vertical cladding battens. These replace the existing timber battens in size and length and is consistent with the language of this window feature.
The materials are extremely durable with a long-life span and can be recycled. They require no maintenance and will maintain their appearance over time and will not adversely weather. The photovoltaic roof system and replacement plant equipment is not visible above the parapet; a key Planning requirement.
Photos: Hypostyle