Bruce Peter, Professor of Design History at The Glasgow School of Art, has won the Research Book of the Year at The Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, for Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age. Presented at an award ceremony in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 19th November, the Saltire judges described the quality of research demonstrated by Prof. Bruce Peter’s book as “exceptional”.
“I am very grateful to the Saltire Society for the award. Scotland has a national genius for architecture and in the 1930s, notwithstanding the very difficult economic and political climate, a great many diverse and outstanding buildings were constructed.” Said Bruce Peter, Professor of Design History at The Glasgow School of Art.
Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age, published by Historic Environment Scotland, explores the variety of Art Deco architecture and design across Scotland during the interwar years, including iconic structures such as the Beresford Hotel, the Radio Cinema in Kilbirnie, the Portobello Lido, as well as the staging of the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park between May and December 1938, and the building of the trans-Atlantic liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
By referring to original source material, much of which was drawn from his own research collection, Prof. Bruce Peter revealed new perspectives and emphasised the involvement of designers and architects whose outputs have hitherto been under-appreciated, demonstrating that some of Britain’s most remarkable design achievements in Art Deco were north of the border.
The book was launched on 4 April 2025 in conjunction with a major exhibition mounted at The Glasgow School of Art’s Garnethill Gallery in association with GSA Exhibitions. The publication and exhibition are part of the global centenary celebration of the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, and also Glasgow 850, a year-long celebration of the city’s 850th anniversary.
Further information about the publication and exhibition Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age can be found HERE on the GSA media centre. An interview with Bruce Peter at the launch of the exhibition and book can be viewed on The Scotsman HERE. Full information on all the winners of this years Saltire Awards cone be found HERE.
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, digital, fine art and innovation in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.
About The Saltire Society
The Saltire Society is one of Scotland’s leading supporters of culture. For almost 90 years they have been committed to Scottish innovation and creativity, from social housing design and literature to public art and emerging creatives. Today, the Saltire Society upholds its founding principles of inspiring culture and platforming responsible debate for contemporary Scotland. The Society has a broad international outlook and is not affiliated with any political party.
The Saltire Society is a Scottish-registered charity – Scottish Charity Number: 044731
