Institutes of Virology and Genetics

Two linked buildings dating from 1961 through 1966. The Institute of Virology is the four storey building on Church Street (1961) and the Institute of Genetics is a striking nine storey block (1966) on the corner of Church Street and Dumbarton Road which unusually contains a paternoster. Both buildings are finished in panels of mosaic tile and the Institute of Virology has a protruding entrance finished in rough hewn slate. Both buildings are in poor external condition yet the elegant character and proportions shine through - dilapidation, grime and adhoc additions do not detract from the composition. The buildings are remarkably sympathetic to their urban setting although they are almost universally hated by most planners, urbanists and townscapers. The University of Glasgow is considering the future of the buildings and they may be demolished in the next few years - which would be a great loss to the city.