THE world-renowned Glasgow School of Art (GSoA) has been reduced to an empty, charred-out shell in jaw-dropping drone footage released by the institution’s bosses.
A team of experts was able to enter the site to begin to assess the condition of the famous Mackintosh Building.
Footage shows the building all but destroyed with steam still rising from what is left of the roof.
The extent of the damage to the nearby O2 ABC and Campus bars is also laid bare with the roof of both venues completely caved in as Renfrew Street is strewn with burnt debris.
Staff from the School of Simulation and Visualisation at the GSoA joined experts from Glasgow City Council, Historic Environment Scotland and specialist structural engineers David Narro Associations to get a first proper look at the building.
A 3D Visualisation, detailed photography and aerial drone footage was collected, marking the start of “a long and complex process.”
GSoA director, Professor Tom Inns, and chair of the board of governors, Muriel Gray, were allowed access to the site for the first time on Tuesday.
Professor Inns said: “Since Friday evening, the Glasgow School of Art has been working round the clock to ensure the academic experience for over 400 postgraduate and 1,500 Open Studio students can continue.
“We would like to express our thanks to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland for allowing us to come up on to the site today and for enabling access yesterday in order to begin assessing the condition of the building.
“This was the first opportunity for the expert team to see the building and begin what will be a long and complex process of determining the future of the Mack, but we remain optimistic.”
Muriel Gray, chair of the board of governors, added: “We are overwhelmed by the messages of support and offers of help from across the globe in the aftermath of Friday’s fire.
“There is a huge desire to see Mackintosh’s masterpiece rise again, one which we all share.
“We have incredibly detailed information on the building collated over the last four years, and have worked with teams of talented craftspeople who were doing a tremendous job on the restoration.
“However, this was one of our first proper looks at the building. As soon as we can, we will share more information.”
GSoA will remain closed. The campus - with the exception of the Reid and Bourdon buildings - is expected to reopen on July 2.
Alternative arrangements are being put into place for students who would normally be based in these buildings.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel