GSA plans leaked

August 27 2009

The seven short listed contenders vying for supremacy in Glasgow School of Art’s campus redevelopment plans have tabled their submissions to a select band of staff, students and alumni of the school... leaking into the public domain shortly thereafter.

Using an online platform these key stakeholders of the schools future are able to browse the competing entries and vote for the scheme they consider best.

Amongst the practices to submit were Benson & Forsyth who propose a multi layered angular box draped with greenery and topped by a dramatic roof garden. Central to the project is a grand double entrance directly facing the famous steps of the Mack.

Elder & Cannon meanwhile have adopted a more solid, tactile approach, displaying a robust copper finish lightened by full height glazing in a regimented rhythm along the length of Renfrew Street.

Francisco Mangado on the other hand are pursuing a playful approach with a grand foyer space displaying due deference to the masters work across the road and offset by a feature cantilever above. Slender external skeleton of subtly hued fins inject a splash of colour.

An enigmatic entry follows from Grafton Architects, indistinct line drawings appearing to show the common dual height entrance space, decorated by hanging art. A solid masonry façade is broken by Tetris style inserts whilst a glazed ground level grants sight direct to a basement level.

Hopkins has made use of the south facing façade to create a new sun trap on Renfrew Street along a pedestrianised outdoor steps.

Utilising a wood cut model John McAslan and Nord have produced a sculptural response to context, developing a series of stacked cubes to break down the buildings mass and disguising a voluminous central atrium space.

Stephen Holl and JM Architects are the only practice to of the school’s down at heel 1930’s student union which is enveloped by the new.

A winning team will be selected in September with completion of the chosen signature building scheduled for 2013.

Top right: Benson & Forsyth.
Below clockwise, Elder & Cannon, Francisca Mangado, John McAslan & Nord, Stephen Holl & JM, Hopkins & Grafton