The University of Glasgow's Wolfson Medical School Building has been awarded 'Best Public Project 2003' in the recent Scottish Design Awards.

At a ceremony on 30 May at the Holiday Inn, Glasgow City West, the University of Glasgow accepted the award of "Best Public Project" for their new Medical School Building, which was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal last month.

The award was collected by Bob Wilson, the University's Director of Estates and Buildings, who commented: 'It is gratifying to see the University's positive contribution to the built environment recognised by this award. A huge fundraising effort, and a great deal of thought and consultation contributed to this project, which has produced a building which is both intensely practical and a stunning new landmark for the west end of Glasgow.'

The Wolfson Medical School Building originates from competition-winning design proposals by Reiach and Hall Architects, and was developed through close consultation with the building's users. The fundamental architectural concept is of three articulated blocks housing teaching and learning facilities, arranged around a triangular atrium which is conceived as the social heart of the School. 16m long structural glass beams - believed to be the first ever use of glass engineering at this scale - support the sheer glass atrium roof.

Tom Bostock of Reiach and Hall Architects said: 'By expressing a clear conceptual logic, allied to simple use of good quality appropriate materials, the Wolfson Medical School building projects its function as a centre for learning excellence. The process of continuous dialogue, rigour and team collaboration, which successfully translated the significant design and constructional challenges of the original concept, are credited by this award.'

The University launched an appeal which raised over £11 million towards the total £17.5 million necessary to construct the new building. This is the first completed building on the 'Triangle of Excellence' site which will be completed with the construction of the proposed BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre and the Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre.

The Scottish Design Awards, now in their sixth year, are Scotland's premier annual design event and attracted over 400 entries into this year's competition. 18 designers and 12 architects picked up winning awards in their category.

Of the architecture judging, Lorenzo Apicella of Pentagram said, 'It was a pleasure to be involved in the judging process. There is a palpable energy and confidence to new architecture in Scotland that deserves the widest recognition. These projects celebrate the best of commendably high standards.'

The University was also delighted to see the Maggie's Centre on Dumbarton Road pick up the award for "Best Regeneration Project 2003". The former Lodge House, unused for many years, is owned by the University and was leased to the Maggie's Centre for conversion to a drop-in cancer care centre for the Beatson.

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First published: 3 June 2003