Space & Place: The Pathfoot Building

The Pathfoot Building is probably the most beautiful, the most civilized, the most sensitive and intelligent piece of large scale modern architecture and planning that has been achieved in Scotland.

David Baxandall, former Director of the National Galleries of Scotland, speaking in January 1970.

The Pathfoot Building is an outstanding example of post-war modernist architecture and is widely recognised to be of international significance. During this year’s exhibition theme Space & Place we are taking the opportunity here to celebrate the design of this building, home to the Art Collection and an integral part of the history of the campus.

Stirling is one of the so-called ‘plate glass’ universities which were founded during the 1960s. The name reflects the large amounts of glass used in many of the designs. The functional minimalist style used had first emerged during the 1930s and became dominant after the Second World War. In Pathfoot, the design responds elegantly to its sloped hillside setting, with a series of low-rise stepped levels and multiple glazed internal courtyards, merging inside with out.

The building has evolved over the decades: the width of the J corridor was reduced to accommodate additional office space and the new A corridor at the front was added in 1993. Even though the Pathfoot Building has been altered and extended over the years, the spirit of the original design remains, and is appreciated by those who visit, study and work here.

You can read more about the building on our Culture on Campus blog.