Work to dismantle the
dangerous parts of the Mackintosh Building has been going to schedule it was
confirmed today, 18 July 2018. Three
cranes have been on site working from 7.30am – 7.30pm Monday – Thursday and
7.30am – 5pm Friday – Sunday.
dangerous parts of the Mackintosh Building has been going to schedule it was
confirmed today, 18 July 2018. Three
cranes have been on site working from 7.30am – 7.30pm Monday – Thursday and
7.30am – 5pm Friday – Sunday.
Work began on the
central section of the south façade, above Sauchiehall Street, on Tuesday
afternoon (11 July) and this section has now been lowered to the bottom of the
parapet.
central section of the south façade, above Sauchiehall Street, on Tuesday
afternoon (11 July) and this section has now been lowered to the bottom of the
parapet.
Over the weekend of
14-15 July the south east staircase, which was one of the most fragile areas of
the building, was taken down safely. The dismantling of this section is almost
to first floor level. Work on the east end of the south façade is expected to
continue for at least another two weeks.
14-15 July the south east staircase, which was one of the most fragile areas of
the building, was taken down safely. The dismantling of this section is almost
to first floor level. Work on the east end of the south façade is expected to
continue for at least another two weeks.
Simultaneously
work has begun to lower the east gable. All of the coping stones on the top of
the gable had suffered severe fracturing caused by the metal cramps which hold them expanding in the
intensity of the fire. One sample has been retained with the
remainder moved quickly and safely into the interior of the building. The
central turret and top of the gable have been removed and the down-taking of
the main section of the gable is now underway.
work has begun to lower the east gable. All of the coping stones on the top of
the gable had suffered severe fracturing caused by the metal cramps which hold them expanding in the
intensity of the fire. One sample has been retained with the
remainder moved quickly and safely into the interior of the building. The
central turret and top of the gable have been removed and the down-taking of
the main section of the gable is now underway.
On the north east façade
the steel beams of the roof structure have been removed and reduction to the
wall to the south of this area is now under way.
the steel beams of the roof structure have been removed and reduction to the
wall to the south of this area is now under way.
In the centre of the north facade the turret and set back section directly above the main entrance
have been removed, and the tops of the two return walls have been lowered to
second floor level. Reduction of the walls immediately to the south of this
area is now proceeding.
have been removed, and the tops of the two return walls have been lowered to
second floor level. Reduction of the walls immediately to the south of this
area is now proceeding.
Throughout the process
the GSA contractor, Reigart, and expert structural engineers, David Narro Associates,
have been assessing the condition of the masonry and then removing it in the
safest way for both the workers and surrounding properties. Where stonework has
been assessed as significantly damaged and too dangerous to lift off the
building it has been pushed into the interior.
the GSA contractor, Reigart, and expert structural engineers, David Narro Associates,
have been assessing the condition of the masonry and then removing it in the
safest way for both the workers and surrounding properties. Where stonework has
been assessed as significantly damaged and too dangerous to lift off the
building it has been pushed into the interior.
“The GSA’s priority is to make the Mackintosh Building safe and stable so
that the community can return to their homes and businesses at the earliest
possible moment,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School
of Art. “Our contractors are working hard
to achieve this and are currently on schedule.”
that the community can return to their homes and businesses at the earliest
possible moment,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School
of Art. “Our contractors are working hard
to achieve this and are currently on schedule.”
Ends
For further
information contact:
information contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
- The work has been
undertaken to a methodology developed by David Narro Associates, which was
shared with Glasgow City Council Building Standards and Historic Environment
Scotland. - Throughout the process
the GSA is keeping in regular contact with Glasgow City Council Building
Standards. - The agreed methodology
has an 8-week timetable - Timescales
for the work will be influenced by the condition of the structure found at
lower levels and the weather conditions, in particular wind speed which will
influence the operation of hoists and MEWPS.