Yes, a Glasgow School of Art rebuilt to Mackintosh’s design would be authentic

Professor Alan Dunlop says a reconstructed GSOA would not be authentic (your report, 18 June). Why?

Charles Rennie Mackintosh did not build the original school, he designed it and it was built by construction workers and craftsmen. Mackintosh’s design is still available. There can’t be a single detail in the building that has not been minutely examined, photographed and recorded.

It is often said that “they don’t build them like that any more”, but the reconstruction carried out before the second fire demonstrates that the necessary skills still exist. If the GSOA was rebuilt by today’s construction workers, using Mackintosh’s design, the process would be exactly as it was originally. In what way would that not be authentic? The professor’s remark seems defeatist and designed to prepare us for some cheap mediocre new building on the site. GRAHAM M MCLEOD

Muirs, Kinross To lose Glasgow School of Art so tragically to fire four years ago was unfortunate but, as Lady Bracknell might put it, to lose it for a second time sounds like carelessness – even more sorrowful this time coming as it does in the Mackintosh 150th anniversary year.

Holyrood ought to see the importance of earnest attention to the Scottish Government’s Ministerial creation of a single force Fire Service and ensure it is adequately funded and consider, too, whether fire regulations are up to the job in today’s circumstances. Recent months have already witnessed fires at Cameron House on the shores of Loch Lomond and at the other end of Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street which have impacted on other businesses.

JIM CRAIGEN Downie Grove, Edinburgh Suggestion for the SQA Art and Design Higher Examination Paper 2019.

The Glasgow School of Art was rebuilt over four years at a cost of £35 million.there were no water sprinklers installed. Discuss the design of the reconstruction. 25 marks.

JOHN V LLOYD The Maltings, Keith Place

Inverkeithing, Fife