Horror as Rennie Mackintosh building burns
mainThe Glasgow School of Art is ablaze.
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, it contains some of the greatest gems of British Art Nouveau.
One architecture expert believes the building is doomed.
This is so desperately sad. But you have to wonder how it is possible that the management could permit the installation of an art exhibition featuring flammable expanding foam without, we must assume, adequate facilities for fire prevention.
I must confess – I may be partially responsible for this potential tragedy. I visit the UK often to enjoy the cultural, historic, and architectura treasures that my home country lacks. In 1992 I first visited Windsor Castle, three months before it burnt. ln 2010 I planned a visit to Greenwich to enjoy views of the Cutty Sark amongst other delights. It caught fire two weeks before I arrived. And this coming July I have planned another trip to my ancestral home, Scotland, which was to include a delayed visit to the School of Art. That looks to be further delayed.
I don’t dare mention what other attractions I have on my July itinerary. But I am aware that the majority of places I have visited in recent years have not burnt down either just before or just after my travels. So the rest of Glasgow is probably safe, and Robert Adam’s Culzean Castle will survive..