A new building which will house the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School and provide dedicated space for Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students topped out with a rooftop ceremony.

The building has been designed by architects, Hassell, and the topping out celebrates the completion of the building’s structural frame. The Adam Smith Business School Building and PGT Hub will be operational for the beginning of the next academic year, in September 2023.

The new building will be a home for the University’s renowned Adam Smith Business School, supporting its analytical, entrepreneurial and sustainable mission in business and policy. It will build on the legacy of the father of modern economics, Adam Smith, who studied and taught at the University between 1737 and 1764.

The new building will provide modern and state-of-the art facilities which will transform the Adam Smith Business School’s approach to teaching, research and industry engagement. It includes several bespoke facilities including a Behavioural Lab and Data Visualisation Suite to study behavioural research, in diverse fields such as economics, psychology, education, health and wellbeing and political science.

It also delivers a simulated trading environment with high-end dual screen workstations with access to real-time market data feeds, for providing experience of working with financial software in trading roles.

The PGT Hub element will be the first facility on-campus designed for students on graduate programmes, with bespoke learning, collaboration and social areas.

Professor John Finch, Head of the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, said: “This exciting new building will provide world-leading and purpose-built facilities for learning, teaching, research and industry engagement.

“It will be a home for the Adam Smith Business School, supporting its analytical, entrepreneurial and sustainable mission in business and policy and building on Adam Smith’s legacy. It also enhances the student experience for all PGT students at the University, providing innovative learning, collaboration and social areas, allowing people to engage in new and creative ways.”

For the topping out celebrations, members of the University community were joined by the project architects, Hassell and lead contractor Multiplex who are currently constructing the building.

Darren Pike from Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd, the University’s delivery partner, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with the University of Glasgow through the Campus Development project, delivering high quality projects. The Adam Smith Business School will be another World Class addition to the University’s Estate and will create a lasting legacy within the community.”

Hassell Principal Julian Gitsham said: “The heart of the building is designed to encourage collaboration between students, academics and professionals. In the spirit of Adam Smith, the new space aims to drive innovation and research, cementing the University's position as one of the world's most progressive and enterprising centres for business.

“Organised into three interconnected stacks – for research, collaboration and teaching – we designed the hub to better consolidate postgraduate activities, from independent work to interdisciplinary team challenges.”

First published: 20 September 2022

<< 21 September 2022


University of Glasgow Campus Development

Adam Smith Business School