Thomson Society seek funding for Glasgow landmark
January 29 2010
The Grade A listed church presently languishes in a dangerous state of disrepair after being gutted by fire in 1965 and has become something of an embarrassment to a city that prides itself on its architectural credentials.
Rectifying this state of affairs architects Gholami Baines plan to instate a feature doorway, salvaged from a demolished Thomson warehouse on Bell Street whilst stabilising the structure.
Significantly the ruin will not be rebuilt but rather retained and conserved – its roofless interior serving as a central court.
A new build extension built in silver grey granite will adjoin this to complement the original.
One Alexander Thomson Place has the backing of both the Alexander Thomson Society and Glasgow City Council who have committed £280k to the project and granted the scheme planning permission.
A significant fund raising campaign remains to be carried out however if full financing is to be secured.
3 Comments
#1 Posted by Greek Tomtom on 29 Jan 2010 at 16:32 PM
Excellent idea, but I can't help thinking that Glasgow already has one big architecture-themed white elephant, which sadly died because it was built in the wrong place. This team will need a very robust business plan, with more than just Thomson exhibits to attract visitors to this grim traffic island. Good luck to them.
#2 Posted by anonymous on 30 Jan 2010 at 23:14 PM
Totally agree, surely there is a more sustainable way to develop this site. This proposal is conclusive proof that Mark Baines should limit himself to teaching. How can he to teach about the issues of building in Glasgow's urban context when he produces this mess? If this was produced as a thesis project at the Mac they'd tear it apart.
#3 Posted by flying pig on 1 Feb 2010 at 11:41 AM
never going to happen; look at me flying by in the sky; would be more concrened as to where the money is coming from and where it is going to.
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