Buildings account for over 40% of the United Kingdom’s energy consumption and this, in turn, stores up large and avoidable rises in the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that greatly contribute to global warming. Institutional buildings are no exception and consume a large amount of energy for the operation of the studio and exhibition spaces, lecture and seminar rooms, libraries, IT and digital laboratories and administrative offices. In order to demonstrate the feasible upgrades that help reduce energy consumption, this paper examines the environmental features of the Bourdon Building at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland and identifies some adaptable solar design considerations. In addition to the applicability of passive solar techniques, this study also found the effectiveness of a solar photovoltaic (PV) power generating system. In Glasgow, where the school in question is located, the performance of PV systems can be maximised, when the PV arrays are oriented due south and tilted at 37°.