Glasgow School of Art pictured in a postcard c.1910. Creative Commons. Photo: Mark Crombie
The Victorian Society is deeply concerned by the announcement that Glasgow School of Art is unable to pursue the full reinstatement of Charles Rennie Mackintosh‘s building without substantial additional funding.
The fires of 2014 and 2018 resulted in the tragic loss of one of the defining works of modern architecture. The loss of its historic fabric is profound and irreversible. Yet it does not follow that the architectural significance of the building has been lost beyond recovery.
After the second fire in 2018. Creative Commons. Photo: Thomas Nugent.
The Mackintosh Building is widely recognised as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece. It is internationally celebrated not simply as an outstanding historic building, but as one of the defining achievements of modern architectural design. Its influence on architecture, art and design extended far beyond Scotland. Its importance lies in the remarkable unity of its architecture, structure, light, interiors, fixtures, furniture, craftsmanship and artistic vision.
Main Entrance to the Art School – July 2009. Photo: Jörg Bittner Unna
The building is among the most comprehensively documented historic buildings in Britain. Original drawings, measured surveys, extensive photography, digital recording and the intimate knowledge gained through earlier surveys and conservation work provide an exceptional evidential basis for a faithful scholarly reinstatement. This is not a case for partial reconstruction, but for the careful and complete reinstatement of one of the world’s great works of architecture on the basis of an extraordinary body of surviving evidence. Faithful scholarly reinstatement is technically possible. It is not at odds with sound conservation principles, but is the most appropriate means of sustaining the building’s architectural significance for future generations.
Glasgow School of Art. Photo: Creative Commons
The Society therefore believes that the sole objective must be the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as the integrated work of architecture that Mackintosh conceived. The building was never intended to be experienced as an empty shell, a surviving façade or a museum piece. It was designed as a complete architectural composition and ensemble and as a working school of art, where architecture and creative education were inseparable.
Interior of the Glasgow School of Art original postcard c.1910. Creative Commons. Photo: Mark Crombie.
The obstacle to faithful scholarly reinstatement is stated as being a shortfall in funding. A building of such exceptional international significance should not depend upon the resources of Glasgow School of Art alone. Its future is a matter of national and international cultural importance. The Victorian Society therefore urges Glasgow School of Art, the Scottish Government and the UK Government to work together to establish a realistic pathway towards the building’s faithful reinstatement. Such a project would ensure that one of the defining works of modern architecture can once again be experienced, studied and used for the purpose for which it was created.
James Hughes, Director, The Victorian Society:
“The GSA’s announcement should be interpreted not as the end of the story, but as a call to action. Glasgow School of Art has acknowledged that a project of this scale cannot be delivered alone. We hope this becomes the catalyst for a national – even international – partnership to secure the faithful reinstatement of one of the defining works of modern architecture.”
Door detail – ‘In’, Glasgow School of Art. Photo: Thomas Nugent. Creative Commons
