C O N T E X T 1 7 1 : M A R C H 2 0 2 2 5 ‘WE ARE committed to the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building within the practical constraints of the regulatory environment, as an integral part of the Glasgow School of Art, as a catalyst and key driver for the social and economic revival of Garnethill and Glasgow, and as an exemplar of sustainability for heritage buildings.’ Penny Macbeth, director of the Glasgow School of Art, and Kristen Bennie, interim chair of the GSA board of governors, commenting after the publication of the fire service’s report on the 2018 fire at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s School of Art ‘PLANNING for a 21st-century building and fire regulations did not form part of Mackintosh’s creative agenda. Moreover, the other elements that made his masterwork so brilliant, the sweeping entrance staircase through the foyer then up on to the open first-floor gallery; the double-height studios with open-access corridors; open staircases either end; double-height landings and innovative plenum system could not be replicated without much compromise. ‘It is clear that the Mac can not be replicated. Instead, any future “faithful reinstatement” has to be undertaken with absolute sensitivity and expertise. The Mac must remain a working building that meets the needs of a contemporary art school, and combines the new with all of the original structure that can be saved, [respecting] Mackintosh’s unique legacy.’ Glasgow architect Alan Dunlop responding to the fire service report ‘ACHIEVING the functional requirements at low level in such a constrained space has been done with consummate skill but would not quite outweigh the harm through loss of highly valued public open space and substantial intrusions into … the setting to the Gherkin. …The concept of beauty or otherwise for this appeal is in the eye of the beholder and any further discussion is unlikely to be helpful.’ From the planning inspector’s report recommending refusal of the Tulip proposal on the grounds of its embodied carbon emissions and the impact it would have on the Tower of London and other heritage assets ‘LITTLE more than a concrete lift shaft with a viewing gallery at the top.’ London mayor Sadiq Khan on Foster and Partners’ proposed Tulip in the City of London, for which the secretary of state has refused planning permission. ‘IT IS A GREAT pity that this structure, which for many years has given the island a very special place, is to be demolished. ‘The sculptural idea of the design is that of stranded “ark”, which of course can be carried on with the next flood – so the location is not so important. Certainly, I can speak for my late friend and partner Will Alsop, and myself, that we hope that La Frégate will find another place on the beautiful island of Jersey.’ Will Alsop’s former partner Jan Störmer telling the Architects’ Journal of his hopes for one of Alsop’s early works, a cafe on Jersey that is threatened with demolition. ‘‘RICHARD Rogers lobbied tirelessly but unsuccessfully for 30 years for the removal of VAT for refurb projects.We need to keep lobbying politicians for this change so that refurb becomes a more attractive proposition.’ The architect Peter Barber remembering Richard Rogers, who died in December.
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