So the square is going to be temporarily resurfaced at a cost of £500k - shame on the Council for not taking into consideration any waste of time, money and the environment! It look like they have also not taken into consideration pedestrianisation. It goes from shockingly bad to shockingly worse.

Congratulations GCC, you've achieved the unthinkable and made the square look even worse than it does at the moment.

I really don't understand people sometimes. For years, all I've heard is that George Square is an eyesore and a mess. Then GCC propose six new designs, all of which get utterly trashed by cyber critics. Then, when the council bow to popular opinion by offering us reinstated grass verges and the removal of the loathed red tarmac, people on this site claim it's going to look even worse than it does now!

i thought the architect team within GCC that would want to end this whole debacle by producing something good.... well at least those people who like big vertical signs will be happy - they always get what the want, obviously knowing what is on elsewhere in glasgow while standing in George square is the most important thing about being in this civic space

@Neil

LOL. Have you read the critique of the design process mate by RIAS? The whole "we respected public opinion hence why we didn't pursue any designs" is utter nonsense. It's been stated that Matheson had a hissy fit because the other judges selected a design he hated and so the whole thing was called off. Let's all stop deluding ourselves that GCC were being respectful of public opinion.

Saying that, the 6 designs were utter pish in my opinion. I would have knocked one out on Microsoft paint for a tenner and we could have be gettin' on building it. But the proposed one does look better than what is there currently which wouldn't be hard considering the red tarmac resembles the same pinky colour as sunburnt arse cheeks. But epoxy resin flooring has me shuddering that it will resemble a giant playground. Plus, black ground isn't particularly forgiving for seagull keek gettin dropped on it.

This simply another vain hissy-fit from the other side - albeit in a cleverer disguise. Baxter and Matheson are cut from the same cloth.

#5 good point. Let's price for e.g. marble or travertine for the main surfacing. Some examples below!

Don’t listen to #1 - pedestrianisation would be the death knell of the place, its essence and authenticity.

Gordon, take a trip to Europe to see how other places may have demonstrated respect for their very special spaces. Future generations may likewise wish to grace George Sq's surface with a substantial material, If not in our time.

We shouldn't dismiss the ‘place’s essence’ merely because we can’t afford to grace it yet... What’s perhaps most likely given rise to the common misconception that the square has no significance, e.g. like being seen more as a traffic island rather than a statuary park, is perhaps because we have refrained from gracing the surfacing with anything substantial and permanent - until such times that we can ‘do it justice’. It’s not our fault if ‘uninformed criticism’ and ‘creative hungry competitors’ manifests itself in the interim. In fact Gordon, whether accidentally or not, the competition has done well to expose this anti-culture always working in the background of our cultural heritage!

Yes Gordon, let’s have resurfacing on the agenda, as either A) in a very substantial material, phased or otherwise; or B) conversely in a more sacrificial material in full, which we have already. It’s the sheer expense of the minimal change for B) that prompts us to ask what about A).

We owe something back to Glasgow and this could be it, i.e. to adorn one of her most important urban artefacts; or in the interim, to indefinitely or temporarily understate it.

-

I've rummaged back on my photos and found a day and night snapshot of this stuff, marble. However, not sure if these white examples, as shown, would live well in overcast skies as an external material.

http://photos.kevinscotttoner.co.uk/#41.443 ; &

http://photos.kevinscotttoner.co.uk/#41.616

The cost could possibly be made affordable by striking an ‘endorsement and economies-of-scale’ deal with producers. A realisation would genuinely respect our urban heritage and tourism altogether, and would generate economic payback in the longer term.

If that's too lavish, then disguise the “keek/etc.” with this stuff here instead, travertine:-

http://drawings1.kevinscotttoner.co.uk/#64.4

A final point on applying such materials externally as a one-off, albeit widespread in its interiors:

I don't know if constant wetness would induce too low a slip resistance and whether or not this would matter much in a veritable art gallery, for instance where you won't run.

Such an investment/realisation would actually complete what is in essence a worthy counterpoint to Blythswood Sq., finally.

Do I win the competition; I could do with a share of some of that dosh?

ps on the final point: civility by force perhaps! Civility - whatza thata, dinna wannit?

maybe blacktop is the way forward...at least then when they have to dig it up to renew some pipe 2 weeks later the blacktop patches wont look so bad!

pps: and perhaps do it with a [safe nominally distinguishable] marble kerbing so that A) the surface appears to have surfaced from our own geology below rather than as appearing inlayed; and of course B) to dispense with design (since it's the stone that will be doing the talking in this case) - right, I think that deserves a small win: no photos required, merely imagination!"

ppps: a fairly creative solution I'd say, without having to intervene in the strong heritage aspect. That'll be £15,000 please!

yawn...Kevin
do you just open your mouth and let your belly rumble?
what a load of mince you spout.

I wish the people of Glasgow were given the
very real opportunity to consider the proposal suggesting a pyramid similar to that at Louvre Museum and the British Museum. This would greatly enhance the
experience of a visit to City Chambers.
Whoever put forward that proposal should
be encouraged to promote it NOW. The
introduction of the pyramid would place
both the square and Glasgow on the international tourist map. What do others think?

# 13, of all the ideas stupid promoted for the redevelopment of George Square, this would be the most utterly bizarre.

More car parking. Less red? Totally worthwhile.

From red tarmac to grey. Really pushing architecture and urban design in Scotland forward with this one.... There is very little budgeted design work carried out in architecture schools, can't help but think that this would have provided a very interesting and challenging design project with specific constraints and budget for the 'young architects' of Scotland. Those who have not yet become utterly disheartened by the lack of momentum in utilising the investment in Glasgow to advance architecture and design North of the border.

Ongoing mediocrity!
Dislike the present red tarmac but grey epoxy resin! come on... surely Glasgow can do beter than that!

I think people would think it was just a meaningless crib. For goodness sake. This proposal looks fine. It is just a square. There is more to Glasgow than this. Lets put up and move on.

Bob, It's already been done in post-war Anderston, I feel the column is a better marker from a distance IMO.

Wee Davie, thanks for your sarcasm.