The future of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), a seminal work by Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, has become a focal point for debate regarding the nation's approach to heritage preservation.
Two devastating fires in 2014 and 2018 left the iconic building in a state of ruin. While a partial rebuild has been proposed, costing an estimated £265 million, critics argue that the response has been marked by inertia and a lack of decisive leadership, especially when compared to the rapid restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following its 2019 fire.
A Tale of Two Rebuilds
Following the fire at Notre Dame, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged immediate action, setting a five-year timeline and galvanizing national and international support. The restoration of the Paris cathedral was completed in approximately five years and seven months, with a reported cost of £590 million, including significant global fundraising.
In contrast, the then-First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, visited the GSA after the second fire and suggested the building might be beyond repair, offering government support if it could be saved. This was perceived by some as a defeatist tone, lacking the clear declaration of intent seen in France. More than eight years after the second fire, the GSA remains a damaged structure, clad in scaffolding and protective sheeting.
Recent announcements have outlined a potential partial rebuild, retaining the façade, which has been termed a "a milestone" by Katerina Brown, CEO of Historic Environment Scotland. First Minister John Swinney and Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan have indicated the Scottish Government will "engage constructively" with the GSA and other partners. However, this approach has drawn criticism from heritage advocates and professional architectural bodies.
Calls for National Intervention
Campaigners, such as the "Rebuild The Mack" initiative, argue that the Scottish Government has a fundamental duty to protect national heritage and that a "partially rebuilt" solution is an "obscenity." They question why Scotland would accept a compromised outcome when France did not for Notre Dame.
Art critic Clare Henry has called for the Scottish Government to declare the Mackintosh building a key national and international treasure, suggesting its future should not solely rest with the Glasgow School of Art, which also manages an art school with students. The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and the Royal Institute of British Architects have echoed these sentiments, demanding a "national response" and leadership from both the Scottish Government and Westminster.
Broader Concerns Over Heritage Management
The situation with the GSA is seen by some as symptomatic of a wider issue in Scotland's management of its built heritage. The article points to other neglected landmarks, including the People's Palace in Glasgow and Westfield Court in Edinburgh, as examples of what is described as "empires of decay." Recent fires, such as those at the former Debenhams store on Edinburgh's Princes Street and Union Corner in Glasgow, further fuel these concerns.
Architect Malcolm Fraser, involved in the Rebuild The Mack campaign, criticizes a tendency in Scotland to "trash" heritage while simultaneously attempting to brand and monetize it. He argues for a renewed focus on preserving and rebuilding significant structures like the GSA, seeing it as an opportunity to "advance tradition and modernity."