Architect voices fears over £66m restoration of Burrell Collection museum

THE architect who helped create Glasgow’s Burrell Collection museum has expressed concern over its £66 million restoration.

John Meunier, one of the architects behind the building, said the redesign should not “mess around” with the original. The building, which opened in Glasgow’s Pollok Park in 1983, was designed by Mr Meunier, Barry Gasson and Brit Andresen. Architects John McAslan + Partners won the commission to carry out the work last year.

Mr Meunier, emeritus professor of architecture at Arizona State University, said he was concerned about changes to the main entrance and the Hutton Rooms, which features furnishings from Burrell’s castle near Berwick on Tweed.

Mr Meunier said: “The issue for me is the long term and whether it retains its status as one of the best 20th century works of architecture in Scotland, superbly matching the architecture to the works of art, while continuing to honour the intentions of its progenitor [William Burrell].

“For it to do that a lot more has to be retained, including the extended entry sequence of graduated spaces, and the programmatic requirement of the will that the restored Hutton Rooms be retained.”

Paddy Pugh, director of conservation and planning at architects McAslan, wrote to Mr Meunier: “We have the utmost respect for the building and have, as you know, taken a great deal of care to understand its design intent and significance.

“There is no doubt in our minds that The Burrell fully deserves its recognition and status as a Category A listed building.”

Glasgow Life said it had not been contacted by Mr Meunier. It said the “original, existing entrance will remain exactly the same, open and in use at all times”.