The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has announced that it cannot afford to fully restore the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building independently. Ann Priest, chair of the school's board of governors, stated that the institution's current financial capacity does not allow for the complete rebuilding of the landmark structure without jeopardizing its overall financial sustainability.
"What we are doing is what is affordable to us," Priest told BBC Scotland News. "The school cannot possibly, on its own, rebuild this whole building. It would take us away from financial sustainability."
The GSA had previously committed to a faithful reinstatement of the building. However, Priest indicated that while the aim remains a full restoration, the final result will not be an exact replica due to evolving construction and building standards. The school plans to seek "visionary individuals" with the capacity for "serious investment," as well as support from governments and local authorities.
As a first step in the reinstatement process, the GSA will remove the external scaffolding surrounding the building. This action is intended to improve the building's presentation and visibility, while also contributing to site stabilization. Priest described these new proposals as a significant move for the long-term future of the site, emphasizing that the decisions were based on an economic assessment considering the needs of Glasgow, its students, and the creative and cultural industries.
The Mackintosh Building suffered a major fire in 2018, with a second fire occurring in 2014, which also caused significant damage. The fires necessitated extensive scaffolding and ongoing restoration efforts, which have proven to be a substantial financial undertaking for the art school.