More award-winning buildings here at M.E.; Archial Architects have won the 2009 Doolan Prize with its ‘unique and ingenious’ new Small Animal Hospital for the University of Glasgow. The building was one of eleven short-listed for this prestigious award which is the richest prize in British Architecture, with the winner taking home a cheque for £25,000.

The judges' decision was unanimous, bestowing the award on Archial's unobtrusive structure which integrates a substantial medical facility within the parkland setting of the Garscube estate.

Russell Baxter, Director at Archial’s Glasgow studio said: “One of our chief concerns when conceiving the design for this facility was how to create a large hospital building without ruining the beautiful green space for which the Garscube Estate is renowned. Essentially, our solution involved lifting up the ground, peeling off the grass and placing the new building underneath.”

“Since various aspects of the new facility did not require natural light – much of its 4500 sq m involves internal spaces such as the treatment area, oncology and diagnostics - this design solution was able to meet the needs of the hospital whilst maintaining the integrity of the location. In order to let daylight in to public areas, an innovative ‘crystal’ glass cupola, lit with different colours at night, sits within the building’s sloping grass roof.”