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| 17-year old Leon Hay from Cumbernauld, the first specialist skills apprentice on the Mackintosh Building, works on the stone piers in the Library |
Work has begun on the restoration of the
Mackintosh Library it was revealed today, Thursday 24 November 2016. Specialist
stonemasons have begun the process of removing the stone piers between the
windows on the west wall of the building, research to source replacement timber
is well underway and specialists have begun the painstaking job of
re-assembling the 600+ fragments of the original lights which were retrieved
following the archaeological survey.
Mackintosh Library it was revealed today, Thursday 24 November 2016. Specialist
stonemasons have begun the process of removing the stone piers between the
windows on the west wall of the building, research to source replacement timber
is well underway and specialists have begun the painstaking job of
re-assembling the 600+ fragments of the original lights which were retrieved
following the archaeological survey.
Specialist stonemasons begin
complex work on library piers
complex work on library piers
Detailed surveys of the existing stone
library piers to determine the exact amounts and sizes of stone needed for
repair have been already undertaken. The Library windows, the frames and
glass, have been removed and stitch repairs to the lintels above the windows to
strengthen the section in advance of further works has been completed.
library piers to determine the exact amounts and sizes of stone needed for
repair have been already undertaken. The Library windows, the frames and
glass, have been removed and stitch repairs to the lintels above the windows to
strengthen the section in advance of further works has been completed.
The two stone window piers on the west
elevation of the building, which were badly damaged by the fire, are now being
removed for repair. This important and complex work involves a number of
stages, processes and expertise to complete.
elevation of the building, which were badly damaged by the fire, are now being
removed for repair. This important and complex work involves a number of
stages, processes and expertise to complete.
Specialist stonemasons are taking each layer out,
assessing each of the individual stones and then either replacing them
completely, replacing them in part with new stone indents, or retaining the
best preserved and structurally intact of them.
assessing each of the individual stones and then either replacing them
completely, replacing them in part with new stone indents, or retaining the
best preserved and structurally intact of them.
“After months of preparation and detailed research work with the design
team we are excited that the restoration work is now underway,”
says Liz Davidson, Senior Project Manager for the Mackintosh Restoration. The
current work will enable us to establish how much to the original stone from
the library piers can be re-used in the restored piers.”
team we are excited that the restoration work is now underway,”
says Liz Davidson, Senior Project Manager for the Mackintosh Restoration. The
current work will enable us to establish how much to the original stone from
the library piers can be re-used in the restored piers.”
“The heat of the fire in
the library shattered and fissured the stonework making some of it too weak for
reuse. As each stone is removed from the piers we are checking to see whether
it is strong enough to be reused. Our main focus is in retaining as much as
possible of the external stonework with its highly skilled tooling and subtle
carved profiles – at each layer we will attempt to save and protect these
facing stones whilst strengthening the piers from within.”
the library shattered and fissured the stonework making some of it too weak for
reuse. As each stone is removed from the piers we are checking to see whether
it is strong enough to be reused. Our main focus is in retaining as much as
possible of the external stonework with its highly skilled tooling and subtle
carved profiles – at each layer we will attempt to save and protect these
facing stones whilst strengthening the piers from within.”
Commitment to creating
specialist skills apprenticeships through the restoration
specialist skills apprenticeships through the restoration
One of the key commitments that the GSA sought
from its main contractor is supporting the creation of a range of specialist
craft apprentices. Among the stonemasons working in the library is 17-year old
Leon Hay from Cumbernauld who is the first of the apprentices specially
recruited as part of the restoration.
from its main contractor is supporting the creation of a range of specialist
craft apprentices. Among the stonemasons working in the library is 17-year old
Leon Hay from Cumbernauld who is the first of the apprentices specially
recruited as part of the restoration.
Gordon Reid, business development manager at
Kier Construction Scotland said:
Kier Construction Scotland said:
“Kier has a wealth
of experience delivering internationally important heritage projects.
This expertise and transfer of knowledge to our site team is crucial on a
restoration project like this, as we carefully blend traditional craft skills
with modern engineering and state-of-the-art technology. We are currently
replacing the stone in the library which has been significantly damaged in the
fire. This will involve cutting new stone to the rough dimension of the old
stone with modern tools before our craftsmen use hand tools to expertly finish
the new stone to replicate the original stone.
of experience delivering internationally important heritage projects.
This expertise and transfer of knowledge to our site team is crucial on a
restoration project like this, as we carefully blend traditional craft skills
with modern engineering and state-of-the-art technology. We are currently
replacing the stone in the library which has been significantly damaged in the
fire. This will involve cutting new stone to the rough dimension of the old
stone with modern tools before our craftsmen use hand tools to expertly finish
the new stone to replicate the original stone.
“Throughout this project
we will be working closely with the GSA, local suppliers, specialist
conservators and craftsmen, local artists to provide specialist training,
apprenticeship and employment opportunities on the project. Stirling Stone has
specifically recruited a first year apprentice to work with them on the stone
restoration of the project and developing intricate hand tooling skills will be
a significant part of this training.
This unique project provides a fantastic opportunity to develop the next
generation and help to address the construction skills gap in Scotland.”
we will be working closely with the GSA, local suppliers, specialist
conservators and craftsmen, local artists to provide specialist training,
apprenticeship and employment opportunities on the project. Stirling Stone has
specifically recruited a first year apprentice to work with them on the stone
restoration of the project and developing intricate hand tooling skills will be
a significant part of this training.
This unique project provides a fantastic opportunity to develop the next
generation and help to address the construction skills gap in Scotland.”
Original timber colour and layout of
library set to return
library set to return
One of the many things that the restoration
team have learned from their research into the library is that the material
used was Tulip wood which had been imported from the USA.
team have learned from their research into the library is that the material
used was Tulip wood which had been imported from the USA.
“At the
moment we are looking into a number of possible sources in the USA for the
replacement timber and hope to pin this down in the coming weeks,” adds
Davidson. “One of the major differences
that people will notice on visiting the restored library will be the colour of
the wood. It will be much lighter than it was in 2014 which been darkened by
over a century of use.
moment we are looking into a number of possible sources in the USA for the
replacement timber and hope to pin this down in the coming weeks,” adds
Davidson. “One of the major differences
that people will notice on visiting the restored library will be the colour of
the wood. It will be much lighter than it was in 2014 which been darkened by
over a century of use.
“The original timber was lightly stained to
allow the grain of the wood to clearly show through – Mackintosh maintained
this approach to the honesty of the materials he used throughout the building
and it is an approach we are committed to honouring in the restoration.
allow the grain of the wood to clearly show through – Mackintosh maintained
this approach to the honesty of the materials he used throughout the building
and it is an approach we are committed to honouring in the restoration.
The library will also be much more sparsely
furnished. After much detailed research the design and restoration teams
decided that it should be returned to its 1910 configuration removing many of
the later accretions including additional bookcases and the internal staircase.
When the library reopens access to the mezzanine level will once again be
through the original door on the half landing.
furnished. After much detailed research the design and restoration teams
decided that it should be returned to its 1910 configuration removing many of
the later accretions including additional bookcases and the internal staircase.
When the library reopens access to the mezzanine level will once again be
through the original door on the half landing.
Over half the original lights can
be reassembled
be reassembled
It was also revealed today that work has begun
on the painstaking reassembly if the hundreds of fragments of the original
lights that were retrieved from the library after the fire.
on the painstaking reassembly if the hundreds of fragments of the original
lights that were retrieved from the library after the fire.
“It’s taken a year of work by the Restoration team
with our colleagues from Archives and Collections, to develop our conservation
methodology and sort the light fragments into light ‘kits’ explains Sarah Mackinnon, Project
Manager for the Mackintosh Restoration. “These are now being transformed back into complete
lights by Rodney French of Lonsdale and Dutch in Edinburgh.”
with our colleagues from Archives and Collections, to develop our conservation
methodology and sort the light fragments into light ‘kits’ explains Sarah Mackinnon, Project
Manager for the Mackintosh Restoration. “These are now being transformed back into complete
lights by Rodney French of Lonsdale and Dutch in Edinburgh.”
“We have enough
fragments for 29 complete lights and a minimum of a further 7 which will
incorporate original and new parts. We need 53 lights to reinstate
Mackintosh’s original scheme, the missing lights will be reproduced from
scratch by Rodney. This work will be completed by late 2018. “
fragments for 29 complete lights and a minimum of a further 7 which will
incorporate original and new parts. We need 53 lights to reinstate
Mackintosh’s original scheme, the missing lights will be reproduced from
scratch by Rodney. This work will be completed by late 2018. “
“The decision by GSA to undertake an archaeological
extraction of fragments from the library has made the restoration of so many
lights possible and the work of Kirkdale Archaeology and AOC has been vital to
the practical restoration work now underway.”
extraction of fragments from the library has made the restoration of so many
lights possible and the work of Kirkdale Archaeology and AOC has been vital to
the practical restoration work now underway.”
Ends
For further
information,
information,
contact:
Lesley
Booth,
Booth,
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
Notes for Editors
·
-
The
restoration of the west wing of the Mackintosh Building and simultaneous upgrading
of the east wing are part of a major £80m development of the GSA’s Garnethill
campus. It also includes the purchase and conversion of the former Stow College
building and site
- The project is being
supported by the £32M Mackintosh Campus Appeal £18M of which has been raised to
date.
- The design team for
the Mackintosh Building is led by PagePark Architects.
- The architects for the
Stow Building are BDP
- Undergraduate students
from Sculpture and Environmental Art and Fine Art Photography, and postgraduate
students on the MFA and some of the MLitt programmes will move into the Stow
Building in September 2017. Undergraduate Painting and Printmaking students and
postgraduate students on the remaining MLitt programmes will move into the Stow
Building in September 2018. Kier Construction Scotland will hand The Mackintosh
Building back to the GSA in spring 2019. It will return to its original
academic configuration as a home for all first year students.
- Kier Construction Scotland is part of Kier Group, a leading property,
residential, construction and services group that is listed on the London Stock
Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Kier Construction Scotland
covers the whole of Scotland, from the Northern Isles to the borders, with
offices in Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. Kier is delivering six new build education
projects across Scotland, bringing over £175m of investment into the Scottish
economy. This includes the £43m William McIllvanney Campus in Kilmarnock and
the £36m Garnock Campus in East Ayrshire. As well as managing the restoration
of the £25m iconic Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art, Kier is also
carrying out the £14m refurbishment of Edinburgh College of Art.