Glasgow School of Art : Buildings Redevelopment

C.R.M. Building, Scotland, UK - Refurbishment

Photos : Andrew Lee, from ZM Architecture, 19 Nov 2008

The Glasgow School of Art
Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project

Glasgow School of Art Redevelopment

The project creates an enhanced tour which will give visitors a better understanding and appreciation of the Art School and World Heritage Site.
This work delivers new interpretation and visitor facilities in the basement of the CR. Mackintosh building within refurbished, and restored original studios.
These spaces now house a dedicated museum for the display of the school’s significant furniture collection. Glasgow School of Art's Collection of Mackintosh Chairs are contained and displayed within a specially designed exhibition installation.
Visitors and students will also benefit from the MRC, a new research centre giving greater access to the rare and extensive GSA archive.
Our design includes a new shop and temporary exhibition space, using a combination of wall and free standing vertical and table cabinets for the display. Here people will learn of the architectural context and inspiration behind the Mackintosh masterpiece.

We could not achieve such changes without liaising closely with the School's working group. Detailed briefing and workshop sessions with the Directorate, the Estates Department, the Client Project Manager, GSA Enterprises Ltd, the Taffner Mackintosh Curator, the Archivist and the Archives and Collections Project Officer, have been integral to our design. Funding is by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, the European Regional Development Fund, Glasgow City Council Growth Fund and Historic Scotland.

ZM Architecture have worked with Page & Park, as part of a joint architectural team, to improve public access and conservation to the celebrated School. ZM were sole authors for all the work submitted under the main appointment of Page and Park who were lead consultant on the the Conservation Aspects of the scheme.

Glasgow School of Art Campus
GSA awarded £4.5m approx for refurbishment of Glasgow School of Art: new exhibition gallery & interpretation centre + opening up rooms not normally seen; original Rennie Mackintosh features to be restored & additions removed
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Announcement of probable demolition of around 4-6 sixties concrete buildings around the north and western sides of Mackintosh's School of Art building; disposal mooted for outlying buildings to the northeast around Hill Street
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Glasgow School of Art refurbishment

Window on the Mac

Page\Park Architects, ZM Architecture Window on the Mac PR 20 Feb 2006
received 5 May 2006
THE MACKINTOSH CONSERVATION AND ACCESS PROJECT

Leading Glasgow consultants Page\Park Architects, ZM Architecture and cost consultants Doig & Smith, with specialist M & E Services Engineers Harley Haddow from Edinburgh, have been appointed to develop the world-famous Glasgow School of Art by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Opened in 1899, the building is set to benefit from 21st Century technology and conservation techniques following the award of a Stage 1 Grant of £4.6 million and a development grant of £153,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Glasgow School of Art plans to return many areas of the building back to their original condition by removing partitions, screens and mezzanine floors inserted in the 1970s and by refurbishing original stone, timber and plaster features. A dedicated Research Centre, with environmentally-controlled storage facilities, will be created to protect and exploit the School's historic collections.

Public access to the building and its collections will be enhanced by new visitor facilities, permanent exhibition areas and an extended tour route which will offer access to previously occupied historic apartments and open up hitherto unseen features of the building, such as the original heating apparatus.

A new interpretive centre, entitled 'Window on the Mac', will host displays on the architecture, history and construction of the iconic art school building. This facility will form the starting point for visitors to the Mackintosh building and it is expected visitor numbers will rise to about 35,000 a year on completion of the project.

The work is programmed to be complete by the end of 2009, coinciding with the centenary of the building's original completion by C R Mackintosh.

Page\Park will lead the Project team, with specific responsibility for the conservation and overall historic context of the work. ZM Architecture will design the interpretive space, archive and exhibition components. Harley Haddow will design a new heating and ventilation system sympathetic to the building and are currently investigating the adaption of Mackintosh's original and innovative solutions. Doig & Smith will be responsible for cost management, financial reporting and safety supervision.

Staff and students of The Glasgow School of Art will be closely involved through the development of the project, with specific support provided to the Project Team by the School's Archivist, Curator, Estates team, Exhibition Office and Commercial Manager.
Page\Park Architects, ZM Architecture Window on the Mac: PR received 5 May 2006

A ‘Stage One Pass’ means that money has been earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support, and money for the scheme is set aside.† The applicant can then progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to secure the full grant.† On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be awarded towards the development of the scheme.†
The Heritage Lottery Fund enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, Heritage Lottery Fund grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy.

All Glasgow School of Art images from ZM Architecture 050506

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Glasgow School of Art - Description + Photos

GSA - The Mac 1896
Glasgow Art School is probably the most well known Charles Rennie Mackintosh building and certainly his most well respected.

building images © adrian welch

Powerful sandstone block with dark, woody interior - save the bright, white-painted 'hen run' high up on the south facade. The building achieves much of i6ts drama by being perched on a steep incline, and accentuating the verticality with soaring gridded oriel windows on the west facade (photos above).

Glasgow School of Art is a building of Global importance, recorded in most Histories of 20th Century Architecture.

The Art School was a powerful influence for Art Nouveau and later for Modernism. The GSA building was constructed in 1897 - 1909. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a graduate of the GSA.

School interior

Access to the School is restricted: contact the number below to arrange a Tour by GSA students. For Tours of other Glasgow Buildings click on 'walking tours'.

Contact Glasgow School of Art: +44 (0)141 353 4526 fax +44 (0)141 353 4526

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Glasgow walking tours

Glasgow School of Art photo © adrian welch

Address: GSA, 167 Renfrew Street, off Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Scotland

GSA photo © adrian welch

Glasgow School of Art was built in two phases: East Wing 1897-1899, West
Wing 1907-1909.

Glasgow School of Art campus photo © adrian welch

The School - and Rennie Mackintosh - was a major influence on Enric Miralles in his designs for the Scottish Parliament.

Whilst studying at the Glasgow School of Art Rennie Mackintosh was introduced to two sisters - Frances & Margaret Macdonald. Mackintosh together with his friend Herbie MacNair formed an artistic alliance with Frances Macdonald & Margaret Macdonald: they became known as the 'Glasgow Four', and their Art Nouveau-inspired work became the hub of the 'Glasgow Style'.

Glasgow School of Art - west view © adrian welch

Historic Glasgow: best glasgow buildings of the past

Scottish Architects of the past

Contact: Glasgow School of Art, E-mail - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Glasgow Architecture : homepage

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Glasgow Mac Building - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt