The famed
and beautiful Macintosh building was badly destroyed by fire in 2014. On the
BBCs Scotland 2014 program recently 3 options were discussed.
(1) to
restore the art school to its former glory as all the designs are still here
and were kept safe. (2) To build a totally new building. (3) To design a new
building around the fire with some of Mackintosh's work included.
I've asked
friends and most reactions I've heard are to restore the Mackintosh building.
I was
rather aghast - to me it looks like opportunism by a present day architect to
redesign the school. Innovation and creativity such as Rennie MacKintosh and
Margaret MacDonald showed us, come along rarely in a life time.
I believe
this great historic building should be an Art Library and Research centre and a
place for exhibitions and visitors. I don't care whether the school is a
workable place for art students and concept instillations. Art students doing
risky instillations can do so in another place in my view.
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/architects/rennie-mackintosh
President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Stephen
Hodder, said: “The most important work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an
architect of international significance, Glasgow School of Art, is held in the
highest regard by architects and the public alike.“It was rightly judged to be
the best building of the past 175 years, in a nationwide poll run by the Royal
Institute of British Architects.
“Damage to building of such immense significance and
uniqueness is an international tragedy. It is irreplaceable.
