Glasgow School of Art

[paulb33]

Heartbreaking to watch this gem ablaze.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Why is it always the old buildings that set on fire? I think it's a conspiracy.

 

[paulb33]

The tragedy here is that it's the interior, fittings, etc that are just as important as the building.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I am horrified, that building is an icon and totally irreplaceable.
As for the Students, well I cannot imagine how they must be feeling to see their work disappear in a puff of smoke, just hours before the deadline.
I read somewhere that it had started in the basement and that possibly some foam had been involved--- modern stuff need I say more.

 

[paulb33]

I hope SKYNEWS is exaggerating. The flames suggest otherwise, sadly:

"The blaze is now being damped down but early assessments say most of the interior of the Category A listed building on the corner of Renfrew Street and Scott Street has been destroyed."

 

[Moneypit]

Terribly sad. If it started in the basement and having seen part of the roof gone it does look like the whole of the west end will have been gutted. That means the library which is at that end of the building will have suffered. That was my favourite part of this beautiful working building. So much wood is involved in buildings like this, aren't they back fitted with sprinkler systems because of the high risk of fire?

 

[paulb33]

aren't they back fitted with sprinkler systems because of the high risk of fire?

I believe that a condition of grant money is often that fire prevention measures are in place. I'm guessing a huge amount of public money has been poured into this building. BBC are reporting that the Mackintosh clocks in there had recently been restored - taking a full year.

I pulled my Phaidon book on it. It contains a statement that the corridor running East West through the building used to provide an uninterupted vista "before fire doors were added". Also, this interior photo seems to show sprinklers (which are absent from Phaidon's photo of the same interior space). Hopefully they worked.

BTW, the Phaidon series on architecture is highly recommended. The best books/photos on architecture that I've ever seen:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterpieces-Charles-Mackintosh-Bernard-Maybeck/dp/0714838764/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1400911675&sr=8-15&keywords=phaidon+architecture+arts+and+crafts

 

[Penners]

Slightly better news this morning. The Glasgow Fire Service feel that they have saved the majority of the structure and contents. They deserve our thanks and congratulations. One can only hope, now, that a full and faithful restoration will be carried out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27553056

 

[paulb33]

Slightly better news this morning. The Glasgow Fire Service feel that they have saved the majority of the structure and contents. They deserve our thanks and congratulations. One can only hope, now, that a full and faithful restoration will be carried out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27553056

This stuff too often brings out the cynic in me. Hard to imagine the chief of Glasgow Fire Service saying "We failed. The whole place is gutted."

That amazing, priceless library was 100% century-old oiled wood. And, paper.

(I do hope that I'm wrong. I very often am, of course.)

 

[LadyArowana]

.
As for the Students, well I cannot imagine how they must be feeling to see their work disappear in a puff of smoke, just hours before the deadline.

I am willing to bet there are more than a few who will regard this as something of a bonus.

 

[paulb33]

.
As for the Students, well I cannot imagine how they must be feeling to see their work disappear in a puff of smoke, just hours before the deadline.

I am willing to bet there are more than a few who will regard this as something of a bonus.

This is a globally renowned art school, your Ladysmith. One third of the Turner Prize nominations over the last ten years graduated from Glasgow School of Art.

Mackintosh was an artist. His genius was his ability to build with art. Little wonder this built environment inspired such creativity.

 

[Penners]

I am willing to bet there are more than a few who will regard this as something of a bonus.

This is a globally renowned art school, your Ladysmith. One third of the Turner Prize nominations over the last ten years graduated from Glasgow School of Art.

I'm still certain that a proportion of them will rely on the "dog ate my homework" excuse. :wink:

your Ladysmith

May one infer that you have been relieved, Milady?

 

[paulb33]

It's still at least threerye years work, whatever the perceived standard. Very sad.

 

[worms]

your Ladysmith

May one infer that you have been relieved, Milady?

:lol: :lol:

 

[paulb33]

The library is lost. Its only wood and books. But, wood and books of unrivalled beauty. Sad.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27556659

 

[Keith Bowman]

Apparently a projector might have been involved in starting it - I wonder if someone was playing with old nitro-cellulose film?

 

[worms]

Even modern projectors can be a danger... I recently (and stupidly) propped a ring-binder in front of the data projector rather than switch it off at the laptop while discussion was going on. Melted a hole through the plastic coating in no time and proceeded to char the cardboard. I guess if left alone it could have gone on to ignite.