After being devastated in a fire three years ago the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) Mackintosh building is to be restored in what will be a “faithful reinstatement" of the original building, with work projected to take place between 2022 and 2027.
The Grade A listed building suffered serious damage, with only the burnt-out shell remaining, and was described by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as “heartbreaking”.
Considered the most famous of the GSA’s buildings, it was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh between 1896-1909 and was considered an icon of the British Art Nouveau style.
The Mackintosh Project to restore the building considered several options, including a hybrid model and an entirely new build, but this is the preferred choice being considered.
Professor Penny Macbeth, director of GSA, said: "The original Art School building is synonymous with The Glasgow School of Art and it was central to the GSA's learning, teaching and research for over a century, as well as being an important part of Glasgow's cultural life and heritage.”
The building had been nearing the end of a £35 million restoration project following an earlier fire in 2014 which had originated from a projector igniting gases from expanding foam used in student artwork.
The second fire broke out late on 15 June 2018 and an investigation into the cause is ongoing.
