Glasgow Caledonian University, The Saltire Centre
| Contact Details: | Tom Finnigan, Director of Learner Support: T.Finnigan@gcal.ac.uk Jan Howden, Associate Director of Learner Support: j.howden@gcal.ac.uk |
| Type of Project: | New build within existing campus footprint |
| Start/End Date: | January 2003 - January 2006 |
What Are Your Top Tips..
...For a successful new build? For embedding IT? For installing technology?
Involve all stakeholders from the start. For example a roadshow of different furniture can enable engagement and feedback from a large number of people. Consult different teams on their ideas. Make the Students' Association part of the development team.
'Try before you buy' - the Learning Café and the development of the Base were important precursors to the Saltire Centre.
Look at what information you have on services as an indicator of how to change things. If there are gaps back-up major decisions with research.
Lots of appropriate situational technology is better than high tech solutions that few understand. Encourage people to bring and use their own technology.
All senses come into play when designing facilities. You have to get everything right to make it work. Heating, ventilation, sense of place, stimulation and comfort; do your own checklist.
Celebrate the opening. Prepare resources for academics to introduce the new facilities to students.
Visit other places to see what you do not want to do as much as what you do want to do.
Be innovative.
