Art School expansion plans include new sprinkler system
THE latest stage of Glasgow School of Art’s expansion plans have been revealed.
Bosses have applied to build a new sprinkler tank and pump house on the site of the former Stow College just a month after the historic Mackintosh Building was gutted by fire.
Students at the GSA School of Fine Art will move into the old engineering college once its five-floor refurbishment is complete.
And property protection and life safety have been prioritised, with plans for the new anti-fire system expected to be heard by Glasgow City Council.
An environmental assessment on the sprinkler tank and pump house has been carried out by Woolgar Hunter Engineers.
In their report, the company said: “Glasgow School of Art proposes to construct a new sprinkler tank within the grounds of the former Stow College on West Graham Street.
“The site has historically been occupied by residential buildings.
“Based on the nature of the development, it was considered appropriate to assess the site against a commercial endues. As such, the site was assigned a rating.”
The application comes more than a year after planning chiefs gave consent for a new roof to be fitted on the former Stow College building.
BDP Architects have designed the new-look facility with large, slanted windows on the roof extension, which will be used by painting and printmaking low-risk students. GSA have previously said that the refurbishment will “reflect the industrial heritage” of the boiler making, foundry work and vehicle construction apprentices who previously trained there.
Work to dismantle unstable parts of the Grade A Listed Mackintosh building are ongoing as residents and business owners await news of when they can return to their premises.
The fire came just weeks before a multi-million-pound project to restore the facility was due to be completed.
Professor Tom Inns, director of the GSA , said: “The GSA’s priority is to make the Mackintosh Building safe and stable so that the community can return to their homes and businesses at the earliest possible moment. Our contractors are working hard to achieve this and are currently on schedule.”