of repair and had been extensively vandalised, there was no evidence to suggest significant structural movement or distress. The development appraisal finally reported that the building was capable of conversion to housing. However, to achieve this, partial demolition would be required to allow a viable and cost effective scheme. In other words, the building needed fairly major surgery and the land to the rear would probably be needed for development of new build to make the project feasible. It was at this stage that formal contact was made with both Planning and Building Control, to discuss the principles and concept of the scheme. Remarkably, our paths converged almost without exception! We were so relieved that someone out there was not only serious about the building, but also had seriously exciting proposals for it too. Also of significance at the time was the fact that the Glasgow Regeneration Alliance (a partnership of public agencies drawn together to tackle the social and economic problems the City was experiencing), identified the building/site as an 'early action site', one of six key vacant sites throughout the City as having potential for residential use. From the outset, the project was very much conceived of as a 'partnership project', and would not have worked without the commitment and backing of many parties including the CityCouncil, the Royal Bank of Scotland pie, the European Regional Development Fund and Scot18 tish Homes, amongst others, which in particular were quick to recognise this unique opportunity and underwrote the cost of the appraisal. The Department's conservation philosophy for the building was very simple: the major elements should be retained and any repair/ conversion project must include: the conning tower, which gives the building City wide landmark status; the strongly defined regular grid pattern of fenestration, giving a bold horizontal emphasis; and the render finish which had to be bright .Clean lines and an uncluttered feel should be the encl result and any interventions should be in keeping with the period style. Happily, the client, the architects and the others involved with the design team agreed. The final proposal involved the creation of 43 flats and, to achieve this, included selective demolition of the rear of the east wing and further demolition to form an internal comtyard to the west wing. In addition, two new precast concrete floors were inserted in the east wing, carried on new load bearing concrete walls. On the land to the rear, three new units providing 12 flats were built in the idiom of the Luma. A very successful marketing exercise by Linthouse Housing Association ensured that the flats sold very quickly. Although the level of intervention envisaged by Linthouse and its design team was necessary to make this project work, there were a number of issues that needed to be refined, especially the fenestration. In collaboration with the architects and the client, a solution was achieved. The first attempt on paper was not entirely satisfactory, in that it did not ideally reflect the size of the existing window units. This was overcome by the insertion of linked panels between the windows on each level, thereby achieving the effect of extending the grid. In effect, they are reflective glass panels installed at internal partition positions. The new frames are double-glazed colour-coated aluminium and are close to the pattern and grid of the existing windows. It was also decided that, as the building was changing from industrial to residential use, appropriate standards ofinsulation would be essential, pa11icularlyas the building is close to a busy motorway, so singleglazed Crittall replacements were not acceptable. The only aspect of the building for which there was no actual use, ironically enough, proved to be its most prominent feature, the tower! However, this did not remain a 'folly' for long. Its unusual character and position proved irresistible to the architectural practice of Cormack and Gracey. Thanks to a sensitive and effective floodlighting scheme, the tower at night is once again a powerful advertisement for this building and a welcoming beacon to those passing to and from the Cityand Airport. If anyone is wondering what the tower was originally meant for, apart from being a bold architectural statement, it was used for one of the most essential stages of production of the lamps - the last - the testing of the finished product for 'light and life'. In an early description of the factory it was stated that: "Samples are conveyed to the testing tower where they are burned under control at an excessive voltage for a considerable length of time". In conclusion, the 'Luma Tower', as it is now known, has been the recipient of nine awards ranging from RIBA 1997, the RICS Urban Renewal Award for 1997, Civic Trust Award 1998 ("An outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment"), Europa Nostra Award, 1998amongst others. We have also just heard that the landscaping regime, by the Tennant Garmory Partnership, and deliberately designed to be in keeping with the period feel, has just won a Landscape Institute Design Award for 1999, making ten awards now! The author would like to thank in particular Alec McClymont of Cornelius/McClymont Architects and John McBride of Linthouse Housing Association for providing information for this article. Mike Fraser is Senior Planning Officer, Heritage and Design Section,Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council. Context65 March2000
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