Rory Olcayto argues Mackintosh Building should be rebuilt without Glasgow School of Art
Rory Olcayto, an architecture critic, advocates for the faithful reconstruction of the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art, which suffered devastating fires in 2014 and 2018. He suggests that stewardship should be handed over to a national trust, rather than remaining with the school. Olcayto challenges the institution's assertion of inadequate funds for a proper restoration and its intention to only maintain the building's exterior. He commends the library's reconstruction following the initial fire, emphasizing the building's significance to Scottish culture. Despite the school's previous success with the library, he points out its lack of expertise and gaps in its recent announcements. Ultimately, Olcayto believes the school has fulfilled its role and calls for a change in ownership.
Key facts
- Rory Olcayto is an architecture writer, editor and critic, former editor of The Architects' Journal and CEO of Open City.
- The Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art was destroyed by fire in 2014 and again in 2018.
- The library was faithfully reconstructed after the first fire under Page\Park.
- Johnny Rodger's book 'Glasgow Cool of Art' documents the reconstruction.
- The school recently stated it cannot afford a faithful reinstatement and may preserve only the shell.
- Olcayto compares the Mackintosh Building to the Book of Kells and Lewis Chessmen as a defining work of Scottish culture.
- The school's statement describes the building as a 'heritage anchor for a wider creative innovation cluster'.
- Stephen Hodder, speaking for the school's board, was RIBA president during the first fire.
- A joint RIAS/RIBA statement welcomed the announcement but did not challenge the strategy.
- Carmody Groarke's rescue of Mackintosh's Hill House is cited as a model.
- The architecture competition for rebuilding was abandoned amid a reported potential legal challenge.
- John McAslan + Partners were first declared winners; Hawkins\Brown later emerged as preferred bidder.
- Olcayto calls for transfer of ownership to a dedicated national trust.
Entities
Artists
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh
- Margaret MacDonald
- Frances MacDonald
- Herbert MacNair
- Rory Olcayto
- Johnny Rodger
- Stephen Hodder
Institutions
- Glasgow School of Art
- Dezeen
- Page\Park
- John McAslan + Partners
- Hawkins\Brown
- RIAS
- RIBA
- Reiach and Hall
- Carmody Groarke
- Open City
- The Architects' Journal
- University of Strathclyde
Locations
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Paris
- France
- Liège
- Belgium
- Istanbul
- Turkey
Sources
- Dezeen —