We've recently completed the landscape architecture for St Vincent Studios, a new student accommodation development in the heart of Glasgow city centre, bringing vibrant planting, new trees and welcoming outdoor spaces to one of the city's busiest streets.

Glasgow's St Vincent Studios Streetscape

As the first residents move in for the 2026 academic year, the public realm has been transformed with raised planting beds, seasonal colour and improved greenery, helping to soften a previously hard urban environment with limited planting and tree cover.

A key feature of the project is a new sunken plaza, designed with perennial planting, street trees and integrated seating to create an attractive and welcoming arrival space. Carefully considered lighting extends the usability of these areas into the evening, while encouraging people to stop, meet and spend time outdoors.

Alongside the public-facing spaces, we've created a series of private outdoor areas for residents, including an upper-level terrace and four rooftop terraces. These green communal spaces provide opportunities to relax, socialise and enjoy views across the city.

Olivia Phillips, Project Lead at OOBE, said:

“St Vincent Street lacks green space, so we saw the arrival plaza as an opportunity to introduce more planting at street level. The space is relatively constrained, with changes in level and a busy street immediately in front of it, so we used the landscape to create a softer and more welcoming approach to the building. The granite seating terraces and stepped planters work together to subtly absorb the change in level, creating a series of gradual transitions rather than one significant level change. High-quality granite paving creates a clear route through to the entrance, while the planting includes street trees and perennial mixes that provide structure, volume and seasonal colour to the streetscape. The planting also helps to enclose and protect the arrival space from the busy street, creating somewhere for residents to sit and spend time.

The project demonstrates how well-designed landscape interventions can enhance urban developments, creating healthier, greener and more enjoyable places for people to live.

Find out more about our landscape architecture and urban design work at OOBE.

New Green Spaces Bring Fresh Look To Glasgow’s St Vincent Street

Saying Thank You to Tim Choy!