AHT3B Essay

The joy of an assignment to compare two buildings from different countries or centuries for me lies
in the exploring of the fantastic world of architecture that is available. I have chosen two colleges to
analyse, both with their advantages and disadvantages, with vastly differing surroundings. Places of
learning should be designed with this in mind, where creativity is nurtured, and intelligence shared
between all. The structure should befit its purpose in functionality and composition, as it will be a
large influence on its students and resident tutors.

The first building I chose was one that caught my attention whilst browsing an architecture website,
and interested me in its material appearance before anything else. The St Aloysius college campus
(designed by Elder and Cannon Architects) comprises of two stunningly clean silver buildings facing
each other across a minor street at the crest of a hill just north of the centre of Glasgow. Located on
the corner of Scott street and Hill street the Clavius building is within view of the much idolised
Glasgow School of Art by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is the first of the two modern attachments
to the campus which I will be looking at to be completed in 2002, winning the RIAS awards Scotland
in 2004. The second building is the Jesuit residnence and Spirituality centre and was constructed
opposite the clavius building in 2007. Elder and Cannon have also been contracted for the junior
school of the St Aloysuis College campus but I will concentrate on the Clavius building and Jesuit
Residence and Spirituality Centre for this exercise.

The Second building is that of the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore, designed by RSP
Architects, Planners and Engineers and completed in 2006. The building is a collection of roughly
hewn glass covered sections separated by full six story chasms that converge and diverge
underneath a tent like canvas that covers the hectare site. Its inspiration of geology is firmly
displayed in the angled and vast sections, yet with a tropical feel from its lightness and the bridges
and walkways criss-crossing above the imitation grass areas. This is all contained within a tall black
wall perforated with only slit windows and occasionally ripped apart to reveal the public areas
inbetween the crystal-like forms. Situated in the city centre just over a kilometre from the coast the
Lasalle College of the Arts is a private higher education centre with facilities for the production and
display of visual arts, music and dance.

The two projects have almost opposite sites to use, but I think both do succeed in doing so in a
practical and unique manner. The St Aloysius College buildings are both on small sloped sites, with
nearby tenements and other college buildings to fit in with, requiring a delicate balance between
relating to the context and standing out from the existing architecture. The north face of the clavius
building is entirely made up of glass, allowing diffuse light into the classrooms set along this side of
the building. This does look alien to the Victorian tenement facades to the west but the building
does take its height from its neighbour, thus allowing the local skyline to stay unblemished. A copy
of the gable is used to end the large glass façade, achieving a contemporary nod to thebuildings
context. To the south as the site slopes downwards so the building does in tiers, allowing it to join
the art school building at a much lower height, keeping the project in phase with its habitat. The
circulation areas and social spaces to the back of the building take advantage of the tiered levels
with interesting double height volumes, and adds intricacies to what appears to be a large box of the
main body.
Making the most of its site in much the same way as the St Aloysius college building the Lasalle
College of the Arts appears at first to be a large black box taking up a hectare of Singapore. However
it is inside this shell that the metaphorical pearl of structural art is to be found. Without the
restrictions of site size, elevation or context of the Glasgow school the architects blank canvas dream
can be realised. The plan is alike to that of a plants cells with the interior buildings apparently
random shapes and positions except spaced apart by open full height circulation zones which double
in function in some places as social garden areas. The cells are connected on various levels with
graceful bridges and walkways, not overpowering the ground areas with busy interior views and
complicated routes but providing aerial shortcuts between departments with fantastic views
throughout the building. The areas between the six enclosed spaces are covered by a large light
awning, letting light in without much heat or glare, almost akin to a rainforest canopy, which
coincides with the branch-like connections.

Part of what impresses me about the College in Singapore is the way the dark shear sides appear to
have been cracked open by a sharp blow or earthquake, yet wide enough to invite the user in to the
light eye catching experiment of design interior. The contrast between the oppressive aura of the tall
black walls with sparsely placed slit like windows and the welcoming atmosphere of the synthetic
grass lined atrium really intensifies the experience of passing over the colleges threshold, moving
from the overused image of globally identical city streets to a space that is relaxed and exciting.
With similar entrances on each side of the rectangular project it can even be a fun shortcut on the
way to work or a quick getaway from a nearby workers stress filled day.

The St Aloysius college clavius buildings entrance couldn’t be more dissimilar. Positioned on the east
side of the school for ease of access to the circulation zone it squats beneath an overhanging glass
wall of one of the tiered sections. This distraction and the only attention being brought to it being
the name of the building on a small plaque next to the sliding door mean it is easily overlooked or
even mistaken for a window. The way the entrance seems to have been hastily added as a necessity
rather than a feature of the building is quite disappointing when considering the rest of the projects
intelligent and attractive design. The less than inspirational effect of this entrance compared to that
of the lasalle college is obvious, any student would rather study in an environment where they feel
important and encouraged to enter than one where they are forced through a somewhat defensive
and undersized back door access.

The two projects in comparison both use unusual materials to promote themselves within their own
context, although with what I perceive to be different results. The Lasalle college is clad in a metallic
black which oozes modernity and quality. Although I have previously detailed the sombre effect it
has in contrast to the interior, the tall sides do at certain times reflect the beautiful Malaysian skies,
and adds character to what could be a cold exterior.

Back in Glasgow the St Aloysius college buildings including the Clavius building and Spirituality centre
are a less imposing but equally aesthetically futuristic silver/grey. This colour scheme is carried
through the building, and seems to dampen the excitement of the design, the differing shades of
grey like an all too often overcast Glasgow day. Many Schools, especially for younger children
between the ages of 5 and 12 are made up of brightly coloured walls and engaging murals, to couple
learning with fun. The architect’s decision to stay monochrome stifles any fun by affecting the
mood of the structures user, and seems more like any other mindless drone filled office building.