by DEMOCRAT REPORTER
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society has declared an intention to coordinate and lead a dedicated group to reinstate the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building of The Glasgow School of Art (GSA).
The Society’s Director Matthew Williams stated that the recent GSA announcement detailing its failure to secure an adequate insurance settlement to recover the building and seeking external partnership to do it “significantly changes the view of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society regarding the future custodianship of the building”.
The Society proposes that responsibility for the building be transferred to a newly formed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). This would comprise an expert group of independent specialists who would undertake the reconstruction project.
“My view is that the Society, as an independent membership organisation, is in the best position to galvanise support and bring together under one banner those who want the Mackintosh Building restored to its rightful place as Scotland’s finest twentieth-century building. Over the coming weeks the Society will form an international pressure group to lobby for exactly that.”
Said Williams, who added that the Society would produce a vision statement and seek wide international support from organisations, businesses and individuals.
“The Glasgow School of Art will be part of that process, but there is a sense from all quarters that the organisation should no longer decide the future of the Mackintosh Building.”
Support for full reinstatement has also come from the Scottish Education and Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan. The GSA has also reiterated its commitment to exploring every opportunity to recover the building.
The Glasgow School of Art fire in 2018.