Some thoughts on the future of the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art...
The building has been gutted, literally. Some parts are in danger of impending collapse and will have to be taken down. It will be difficult to achieve this safely & there is a high probability
The building has been gutted, literally. Some parts are in danger of impending collapse and will have to be taken down. It will be difficult to achieve this safely & there is a high probability
...that other parts, if not whole sections - if not the entire structure - will have to be demolished in order to make internal parts safely accessible.
This could mean complete demolition of the entire block encompassing the Mack, the ABC venue and the adjoining site.
This could mean complete demolition of the entire block encompassing the Mack, the ABC venue and the adjoining site.
It's a disaster. The fact that there has been no official positive talk so far on the viability of the structure following the fire, although it is still early days, doesn't bode well.
It does, however present an opportunity. Finite grief but infinite hope...
It does, however present an opportunity. Finite grief but infinite hope...
Do we faithfully rebuild the Mack, or do we allow another architect free reign?
The Mack was a modern building in its day - it was cutting edge! That is part of what makes it special. Does it's sister building on the opposite side of Renfrew St live up to that precedent?
The Mack was a modern building in its day - it was cutting edge! That is part of what makes it special. Does it's sister building on the opposite side of Renfrew St live up to that precedent?
That's a matter of opinion. But for me the answer is no.
If the Mack has to come down as a result of this fire I believe we should raise it back up in a faithful reconstruction. Scotland's largest conservation and experimental archaeology project.
If the Mack has to come down as a result of this fire I believe we should raise it back up in a faithful reconstruction. Scotland's largest conservation and experimental archaeology project.
The building warrants it, such is it's significance. Mackintosh's response to the steep Garnethill site produced something truly unique, something that couldn't have happened anywhere else in the world.
Glasgow has lost a lot, this building would be a loss too far.
Glasgow has lost a lot, this building would be a loss too far.
Undertaking such a project would also set an interesting precedent in Glasgow - the complete rebuild of a listed building after a devastating fire. This tinderbox city is, depressingly, no stranger to a large scale fire in an historic building.
Having such a precedent in a rebuilt Mack would be the perfect demonstration to any developer who neglects historic buildings in their ownership to such an extent that they either fall or are burned down that it's not some get out of jail free card that gives them carte blanche.
Such reconstructions have been done all over Europe for decades, such as with Dresden Frauenkirche
What might Glasgow be if we had such a precedent to illustrate the possibilities...
Some thoughts on how to tackle Glasgow's problem with fires & dereliction of listed and historic structure...
As hinted previously, historic building owners should be aware that ownership=custodianship, that basic maintenance & security are legislated compulsory. Non negotiable.
As hinted previously, historic building owners should be aware that ownership=custodianship, that basic maintenance & security are legislated compulsory. Non negotiable.
Not all building owner are intentionally neglectful, some might not have the funds. An argument could be made that if you cant afford the upkeep then you must sell up, but thats problematic if theres no market for it in its condition. There are cases where blame is inappropriate
A vehicle is required to step in and purchase at a reasonable market rate and then undertake the buildings rehabilitation. This could be a national or local authority level investment body, akin to the 19th c City Improvement Trust.
This body could work with Housing Associations to finance (& unlock finance for) such projects where the HA has demand and the building could meet a requirement. Or it could sell on the open market. Publicly owned, profit generating, but not for profit. Everything reinvested.
Where buildings are lost through negligence (or not engaging with the Local Authority) there should be a clear presumption in favour of full re-instatement before any other application for the site will be considered. The LA or aforementioned vehicle can pursue the owner for...
...the costs of reinstatement, in the meantime the LA/vehicle could seek a new use or business case and if one is found have the power to Compulsory Purchase the site and undertake redevelopment and reinstatement.
This all may at first seem draconian, but if everyone is clear from the outset on what their responsibilities are and what the repercussions of abrogating those responsibilities are then 'hell mend ye' tbf...
This body/vehicle could also, conceivably, undertake rebuilding projects along the lines of Dresden. It could follow the previously suggested model, it would work well in tandem with LHAs who have effectively kept tenement building alive in Glasgow.
But the likes of Dresden is to a large extent privately financed - it just makes good business sense. So the model is there, it just needs translated into our Scottish idiom...
Everything in this image of Dresden is a modern reconstruction.
Underground parking too... 💁♂️
Everything in this image of Dresden is a modern reconstruction.
Underground parking too... 💁♂️
Have to say Im a little taken aback by the response Ive had to this thread of my thoughts. Many thanks for all the kind & interesting comments – I will get round to replying to you directly. Ill lay out my thoughts for what I might like to see in a resurrected Mack.
But first…
But first…
A few people seem concerned with who I am. Well Im nobody, probably just like you. I have no decision making power here, Im not being paid for my views (chance would be a fine thing) & my views are my own. The only influence I have is in my own words & actions. So now you know :)
Now to the Mackintosh Building…
As stated, I advocate a complete rebuild of the Mack to its original spec following best practice of conservation principles. But perhaps it would an interesting exercise to approach the rebuild as CRM might have had he been building it today?
As stated, I advocate a complete rebuild of the Mack to its original spec following best practice of conservation principles. But perhaps it would an interesting exercise to approach the rebuild as CRM might have had he been building it today?
The idea does have some appeal. What different material choices might CRM have made? Unanswerable really, he’s not around for us to ask. Would the use of certain modern materials (such as more fire resistant materials) compromise a rebuilds authenticity?
Perhaps. But then perhaps not. Its all about context. I have no set opinion here and would need to see specific proposals in order to make a judgement, but as long as it doesn’t alter CRMs vision and a case can be made for a substitute material then I don’t see why not.
In a perverse way it might actually be cheaper if the whole building did have to be demolished, as a rebuild would not incur VAT in the same way as restoration/conservation project would. Its wrong, but that’s the reality.
Either way, I would like to see the Mack rebuilt entirely in line with CRM’s original vision. Which raises another point – the unfinished sculptural elements/stone drums flanking the tall bayed windows of the west facade - do we go so far as to carve the intended figures?
A few people have suggested rebuilding it elsewhere, or turning it round to face Sauchiehall St. Im not into that, the building is a response to that specific & steep Garnethill site & the development of the site (& CRM’s growing confidence) is expressed through the architecture.
It might be interesting if the Art School were to extend into the south of the block & commission a new building to compliment the Mack. A student housing proposal for the building adjoining the ABC came under a huge amount of scrutiny & was ultimately rejected.
I touched on this in another thread (see below if you are interested), but any development next to a building like the Mack will *always* be controversial & will *never* satisfy everyone, these are givens. Something, someone, somewhere has to compromise.
The problems arise when developers aren’t interested in the context of a site & the designs they commission for it & don’t genuinely attempt to engage; and when the heritage lobby don’t present a clear vision of what would actually address their concerns.
Perhaps the School of Art would be in a better position to sensitively develop the south site, give themselves a Sauchiehall St frontage, and house a visitor/interpretation centre/museum for the school and for CRM?
I appreciate the love for the ABC venue/old Hippodrome so realise that might idea might not appeal to all, but it is just an idea, I’d be happy to see it reinstated too!
Lots of questions I dont have answers to. There are lots of discussions yet to be had. One thing seems clear from the response Ive had to this thread is that a lot of people feel quite strongly about some of the ideas Ive raised here.
Such discussions can only be a good thing.
Such discussions can only be a good thing.
Update on the status of the Mack:
As feared, large sections of walls leaning & bulging dangerously, stonework surrounding the bay windows of the library on the west facade almost entirely heat fractured, main north facade tells the same story. These will have to be demolished
As feared, large sections of walls leaning & bulging dangerously, stonework surrounding the bay windows of the library on the west facade almost entirely heat fractured, main north facade tells the same story. These will have to be demolished
Update 2:
Some positive sounding words in the following article, though no firm details. The days will tell!
Glad to read such strong words from Glasgow City Council about rebuilding the Mack & the potential development of the south site.
Lil acorns 🌳
theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/j…
Some positive sounding words in the following article, though no firm details. The days will tell!
Glad to read such strong words from Glasgow City Council about rebuilding the Mack & the potential development of the south site.
Lil acorns 🌳
theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/j…
A century of patina on the walls from the jostle of student artists. A century of wear on the steps from the patter of their feet. Each leaving their mark of the very fabric of the Mack. Some parts of the Mack will take generations to restore.
How many young (and existing) careers could the rebuilding of the Mack support...
Some further reading...
Pictorial exploration of the rebuilding of Frankfurt's Altstadt
