Nord Architecture

The key concern with the project was to develop an attitude and approach towards an appropriate building envelope.

The film studio complex consists primarily of three large studio spaces with a range of smaller ancillary accommodation from loading bays, breakout space, administration offices and social space.

Set adjacent to a business park with the usual range of serviced private sheds it seemed necessary to develop a formal language that detached the film studio from the form and scale of the surrounding buildings. We felt there was an opportunity for the building form to be expressive of it’s status and function as a film studio. The balance of judgment was in creating a container for a series of large internal volumes which is honest to it’s function while introducing an aspirational overtone hinting at the creative magic of filmmaking.

The presence of the River Clyde presented a dilemma insofar as the building activity is essentially internalised yet the river presents an opportunity to create a focal point to the building both spatially and symbolically. It was decided to orientate the building obliquely to the river.

This allows for vehicular arrival directly from the west so as not to interfere with the principal orientation of public spaces to the east. The view to the east is prioritised as it presents the most expansive and open view and coincides with the view facing back towards the city of Glasgow on the horizon. Given the relative isolation of the site this seemed to be an important reference point in order to understand location geographically.

Formally the building is wedge shaped in both plan and section in a manner expressive of the internal organisation. A series of ‘cuts’ are introduced to the building envelope allowing for both formal and service entrances to be signaled. The ‘cuts’ also allow for roof top external spaces to be opened in response to surrounding views. The building is clad entirely in black steel panels.