Let’s build together – Ferry backs £20m centre

ROCK star Bryan Ferry is backing a project to build a £20 million graduate and research centre.

Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is creating the centre as part of the redevelopment of its Garnethill campus.

It will be a hub for the school’s post graduate and research communities, whose work covers areas including sustainability, health and wellbeing, urbanism and regeneration, and design innovation.

A Glasgow School of Art Development Trust has been set up to raise £10m towards the cost of the building.

Ferry, who is on the board of trustees, said: “The Glasgow School of Art has a fantastic 
international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research, and the achievements of its graduates.

“I am delighted to be a trustee of the GSA Development Trust and look forward to working with my colleagues and the school over the next few years to create this revolutionary centre for post graduate education and research.”

The singer, who studied fine art at Newcastle University, came to prominence in the early 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with the band Roxy Music.

He enjoyed a highly successful career, with three number one albums and ten singles entering the top ten charts.

GSA will contribute the remaining £10m, which will be raised through a combination of sales proceeds from the disposal of sites made surplus by the new centre and other revenue streams.

It is envisaged that a design competition for the new building will take place in 2014-15, with work on the site beginning in 2016.

Others on the board of trustees include writer Muriel Gray and Boyd Tunnock, of Tunnock’s the teacake makers.