en.Wedoany.com Reported - AtkinsRéalis, a UK-based engineering and project management services company, has completed the renovation of the historic James Watt South Lecture Theatre at the University of Glasgow, aiming to improve accessibility, inclusivity, and the student experience.

Built in the 1950s, the James Watt South Lecture Theatre is a traditional 200-seat Stevenson lecture hall, renowned for its Art Deco domed ceiling. Due to water ingress issues and the need for extensive demolition work, the university commissioned a full renovation. As the lead consultant for the project, AtkinsRéalis provided multidisciplinary services including project management, cost management, principal design, and structural engineering. Leveraging experience from working with the University of Glasgow's Estates department, the Glasgow team was familiar with the university's design standards, governance, and quality requirements.

The renovation achieved key advancements in accessibility through several physical and functional upgrades, including leveling the top floor to create wheelchair-accessible areas, accessible doors with push-button entry, and wheelchair-height desks with adjustable seating. The original domed ceiling presented a complex challenge, which the team addressed by using acoustic ceiling spray to meet acoustic specifications while minimizing visual obstruction and preserving structural integrity. Custom wooden acoustic wall panels provided excellent sound absorption through micro-perforation technology. Both acoustic solutions were implemented for the first time on the University of Glasgow campus, while also supporting sustainability goals through a high proportion of recycled materials and low-emission manufacturing processes.

Adopting a "strip-to-shell" approach, AtkinsRéalis' team created innovative solutions for fundamental issues within this B-listed building, while respecting its heritage constraints and functional requirements. The project is notable for being delivered by a female-led, collaborative multidisciplinary team. Coinciding with International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) celebrations, Lead Project Manager Hope Shaw stated that this highlights the positive impact of diverse leadership and has the potential to inspire young women considering a career in the industry.

Hope Shaw said: "The renovation has significantly improved learning, teaching, and wellbeing for students, staff, and the wider university community, which were key project objectives. It also provided an opportunity to live our values of collaborative problem-solving and striving for excellence. For me, the greatest success was delivering the project as part of a female-led consultant and design team, demonstrating the value of inclusive practices in action. Such representation remains rare in the built environment sector, and it is inspiring to see the impact of diverse leadership on project delivery and team culture." David Hall, Project Director at the University of Glasgow, added that the project team was assembled by selecting the most suitable experts internally and through the supply chain. This outstanding project, delivered predominantly by female experts, positively reflects the university's strong Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy and the inclusive culture being built to support and nurture team talent.

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