Burrell Collection

The Collection contains internationally renowned examples of Chinese, Islamic, Egyptian and French art, as well as tapestries, stained glass and armour. The building housing the collection was purpose built, opening in 1983 and helping ignite a cultural resurgence in Glasgow.

The project involves replacing the building envelope and building services, improving access and circulation, and also taking the opportunity to also reinterpret the existing collection. As a result of this, the gallery space has been increased by 35% and the Collection has improved accessibility.

The main structural works involved rearranging the existing entrance wing, installing a new three storey central access core and creating a new entrance. The access core has been formed at the location of the previous lecture theatre, which was essentially a reinforced concrete box with sloping floor slab. The architect’s proposals required removal of the majority of the supporting walls and sloping floor slab, and thus significant structural interventions were required to ensure the 700mm thick slab above and surrounding floor slabs at all storeys were supported. In conjunction with this, new staircases, terraced seating and walkways were also added.

Narros were appointed for both the base build design and also the exhibition design, providing both civil and structural  design for the project. The exhibition design has required careful co-ordination with various parties, especially where exhibits were being built in to the fabric of the building.

The Collection reopened in March 2022.