Rebuilding the Mac ‘won’t start for 6 years’
WORK to restore Glasgow school of art’s world-renowned Mackintosh building after it was ravaged by fire may not start for another six years.
Glasgow School of Art Director and chief executive Professor Penny Macbeth said the work will be part of a wider plan which also aims to improve staff morale and student satisfaction.
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the building was extensively damaged by a blaze in June 2018 while undergoing a £35million restoration following a previous fire in May 2014.
The school had an analysis of options carried out, which resulted in a short list of what could be delivered. These included faithful reinstatement of the original design, or a new build.
Glasgow School of Art (GSA) said that the study had showed that the best option was reinstatement ‘within the practical constraints of the regulatory environment’, with the work starting between 2022 and 2027.
The reconstruction plan was developed after a Holyrood committee inquiry.
Professor Macbeth said: ‘One of the recommendations of the Scottish Government’s culture tourism Europe and external affairs committee report was that we should examine a range of options for the future of the building.
‘The strategic outline business case has done just that, subjecting each to a rigorous analysis.’
Reinstatement would see a full rebuild, reusing the remaining structure where possible.
Spaces such as the library, boardroom, director’s office, Mackintosh Room, lecture theatre and museum would also be reinstated.
The option also takes account of the latest building regulations and the recommendation will now face more detailed evaluation.