September 19 2023

A bid to elevate a B-listed Barras pipe factory has taken a fresh turn with the submission of a formal planning application by O'Donnell Brown Architects.

Picking up the baton from INCH Architecture the detailed proposals centre on the integration of a masonry lift shaft to the west, while improving the energy performance of the main structure as part of its conversion to offices and workshops.

Access will be via a small side pend courtesy of the removal of infilled openings, establishing a brickwork stack to provide vertical access with varying treatments to delineate its top, middle and bottom. A step back where the tower meets the existing building creates a 'shadow gap' detail with the main walls.

In a planning statement, the architects wrote: "... the various uses of the building have built up a patina of different textures and finishes. These can be seen in the colour of the brickwork, the paint splatters on the floor, and the colour of the cast iron columns.

"Central to our thinking on the project is how we ensure that these details and idiosyncrasies are not lost through over development in search of energy efficiency, or new functionalities."

10 Comments

#1 Posted by Bosh! on 19 Sep 2023 at 15:25 PM

BOSH! There's your tower.
Not exactly subtle that one.

#2 Posted by Whispering Andy on 19 Sep 2023 at 15:48 PM

Whisper it.......but that bizarrely looks excellent!

#3 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 20 Sep 2023 at 06:51 AM

How many clichés can be stuffed into a good news story?

Young creatives -- ageist nonsense surely?
Artists -- distressed / non economic gentle folk?
Heritage sector -- middle class welfare?

Challenging project -- making use of an interesting existing asset with a bit of thought / depth to the design.

All good -- so why is it being written up as some sort of third sector self licking lollipop?

#4 Posted by The Heart of Saturday Night on 20 Sep 2023 at 08:02 AM

I think this is the first time I’ve ever agreed with an FBOT post.

And he’s spot on - whatever happened to just explaining your aims simply? Stop overegging it guys.

#5 Posted by David on 20 Sep 2023 at 08:47 AM

It’s a pity that the original structure could not be reinstated. Without it the building loses its impact.

#6 Posted by James Hepburn on 20 Sep 2023 at 11:40 AM

I must say its refreshing to see a piece of architecture proposed for Glasgow that doesn't tick the usual boxes of mundane, boring, awful and depressing which could almost be a the name for a Glasgow firm of developers.

#7 Posted by Mark on 21 Sep 2023 at 09:28 AM

#3 - To be fair, the project blurb is honest in its implication that we've allowed successive governments (of all colours) to destroy large parts of manufacturing industry in Scotland - so those "middle class welfare" jobs are all that's left for people who used to make things. Industry declines, pipe manufacturing ends, third sector expands.

#8 Posted by David on 21 Sep 2023 at 09:36 AM

Does nobody remember what was there before? The central part of the building was demolished in the 1960s following fire damage. It was lower than what’s left but was the ‘grand entrance’ in the same style. Surely reinstatement of the missing portion of this brick building which incorporated the date 1877 and the initials WW above the large arched central doorway would be the best option. Look at the Canmore website to see how it once was. Probably a more expensive option but I’m my opinion the right one.

#9 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 21 Sep 2023 at 10:12 AM

#7 / Mark @ 9.28

Industry does not need to decline -- plenty of small countries in Europe host a dynamic and growing manufacturing sector.

They are managing the transition from metal bashing to design and development but they are still making stuff.

It could suggested that we were too insular / inflexible / adversarial to make the most of that transition when it presented itself to our manufacturing sector.

Plus where does the money come from to support the Third Sector -- especially the white collar Third Sector?

#10 Posted by Bingbong on 22 Sep 2023 at 09:30 AM

At this factory they made clay pipes. For smoking tobacco. Which I’m sure none of us will remember as they have been so long redundant. Making the factory redundant.

The developer now only own the south eastern quarter of the old factory meaning they cannot reestablish the grand entrance. Which is obviously a shame but there are small businesses and a market there now.

The building now houses a number of small businesses. Many of whom do manufacture things albeit on a very much smaller scale.

Unemployment is low - and I wouldn’t fancy working on a production line particularly so I don’t really see what your point is about which jobs people now do. if we’re talking about benefits to the economy - then manufacturing should be massively increased - however many Scots can only afford the prices of cheap imported food from china I’d say.

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