University Services Project
The University Services Project, our first initiative under the Workspace Futures 2030 Programme, aims to reimagine the UofG's Services work environment and promote innovative and effective ways of working.
Through this initiative, we aim to align our physical infrastructure with the University Strategy and the University Services Strategy, ensuring that our workspaces reflect our vision and support our objectives.
If you have any questions, reach out to the project team at workspace-programme@glasgow.ac.uk.
Read about the Workspace Futures Programme
Explore Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are We Now?
The team is progressing with the Workspace Futures 2030 University Services project, having completed moves out of Tay House Level 6 in summer 2024. The team has also completed the refurbishment of Level 2 of the Isabella Elder Building, and are now focusing on the Berkeley Square project in Pavilions 3 and 4. We would like to reassure colleagues that while the project budget and scale has reduced, the scope of the project remains the same. Below you can find more detailed information on the current project highlights.
The Isabella Elder Building
The Isabella Elder Building refurbishment was completed in May 2025. The refurbishment designs, developed in consultation with colleagues during the WSF 2030 Diagnose & Engage stages, deliver a refreshed workspace, with improved internet connectivity, increased bookable space, and a blend of collaborative and quiet workspaces.
You can find out more about the Isabella Elder Building refurbishment project here.
Berkeley Square Pavilions 3 & 4
The board has approved plans for Berkeley Square, and work on Pavilion 4 (Levels 2 & 3) is expected to take place in summer 2025, while work on Pavilion 4 (Level 1 – Ground Floor) is scheduled for completion by early 2026.
This project will introduce new meeting rooms, a dedicated Training Room, and updated furniture to create a refreshed workspace. Additionally, a new AV/IT setup will be installed to support flexible working and hybrid meetings, and the Networking Programme will improve internet connectivity.
Pavilion 3 will also benefit from enhanced locker provisions and upgraded internet connectivity.
Throughout the WSF 2030 University Services project, we aim to create workspaces that are not just functional but also act as catalysts for strengthening our community, promoting collaboration, fostering sustainability and efficiency, and enhancing wellbeing and diversity. You can read more about our approach here, and you can view the Project Board and Project team here.
Project Principles & Diagnostic Phase Summary
Principles
The Diagnostic Stage results have been used to craft the Work Experience Principles, which encompass all elements of the University Services colleagues' work experience and provide a lens for the design of workplace solutions. These principles will help to bridge the Critical Success Factors, Foundational Pillars, Key Findings, Insights and Recommendations for University Services' future work experience.
1. Be a part of the University community
How might we create a work experience which enhances community across all campuses, buildings and people.
2. Work together within and across teams
How might we extend the team bond and camaraderie to include other teams and work effectively together within University Services to deliver excellent services to students and academics.
3. Stay close to our customers: students and academics
How might we increase our visibility to and connections with our customers in order to deliver excellent services.
4. Wellbeing in the office and choice & control
How might we provide the choice and control to improve our work experience and wellbeing in the office.
5. Push boundaries to innovate
How might we create the conditions to enable cross-functional innovation.
6. Prepare for a collective journey
How might we prepare processes, IT and change management to support us on the collective journey to Workspace Futures 2030.
Diagnostic Stage
The University Service Project Diagnostic Stage involved an extensive range of research with colleagues across the University Services aimed at crafting potential scenarios to help us reimagine our workspaces. These included:
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Three Diagnostic Surveys:
- Workmode Study
- Work Experience Survey
- Culture Survey
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Observational & Contextual Interviews
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Building Analysis
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Employee Co-design Workshops
These activities collectively formed the foundation for developing proposed scenarios.
Diagnostic Summary
The University Services Workspace Futures research highlighted that our colleagues collectively ranked Community, Innovation and Cross-Functional Connections as the most important foundational pillars.
The research revealed that an effective campus experience for our University Services colleagues should primarily provide spaces that facilitate collaboration and connectivity among different teams, departments, and managers, thus fostering networking opportunities and knowledge exchange.
Wellbeing has been recorded as one of the most valued aspects of the work experience for our colleagues.
However, 46% of participants expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of spaces for unscheduled meetings. The limited availability of areas suitable for spontaneous discussions and collaborative work emerged as a recurring concern. Both ad-hoc meeting spaces and private areas for team-based projects were noted to be insufficient.
Moreover, 45% of respondents conveyed their discontent with the accessibility of private spaces. For those who prefer working independently, the lack of options and accessibility to private workspaces proved to be a prevailing issue.
