Students given first glimpse inside GSA’s Reid building
January 7 2014
The Reid Building, named after former director Seona Reid, is being built at a cost of £30m directly opposite the famous Mackintosh building and is being built around three 'driven voids' to drive the maximum daylight and natural ventilation possible to basement lecture theatres .
At higher levels sit custom built studios and workshops positioned to enjoy a northerly aspect.whilst a ‘circuit of connections’ links each level via ramped circulation.
Speaking to Urban Realm JM’s design director Ian Alexander said of the scheme: “The new Glasgow School of Art building that we are working on with Steven Holl Architects from New York is particularly interesting. On a number of levels it is satisfying; poetically, volumetrically, materially and experientially."
'Driven voids' drawlight and air to the interior
The final glazed panels are waiting to be installed ahead of the schools spring completion
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7 Comments
#1 Posted by Anna Ifanti on 8 Jan 2014 at 10:13 AM
As an alumni of the Mackintosh School of Architecture, I can't help but wonder why was the design of a NY based company chosen as opposed to one of the many young talented Scottish or Scottish based practices?
#2 Posted by Wee Jimmy on 8 Jan 2014 at 10:24 AM
Don't you know Anna, it's 2014 - the year the Scots are apparently too wee and too stupid to do anything for themselves
#3 Posted by monkey9000 on 8 Jan 2014 at 11:00 AM
@ Anna Ifanti, perhaps because it was better? Who's to say there isn't any Mac alumni working with Holl in NY?
#4 Posted by ct on 8 Jan 2014 at 13:50 PM
Keep up UR - its open to students!
#5 Posted by Architrave on 8 Jan 2014 at 22:35 PM
I certainly do not think, as a Scot, that it is healthy to think that a commission such as this should automatically go to a Scottish based practice.
It should be awarded to the best architecture on offer, broadly speaking.
It is unfortunate, and generally accepted by many who both like and dislike the Reid building, that it was awarded to Holl based on his Starchitect status, rather than to the best proposal.
Schemes offered by NORD and Elder and Cannon spring to mind as being far more responsive to the context, and a great deal more clever with the brief. A superb scheme was offered by Benson + Forsyth. Unfortunately that was the one that got away and more to the pity.
I think it is telling that there was no exhibition or showcase of the shortlist after the winner was announced.
I find what has been built is, from the exteriors at least, clumsy and dominating of the street. Any of the seductive luminosity that was suggested in the competition winning renders seems to be reserved for but a few small patches on otherwise monotonous green facades. Shame.
Looking forward to seeing the interiors. I hear Steven Holl himself invented the architectural concept of the lightwell. Who knew?
It should be awarded to the best architecture on offer, broadly speaking.
It is unfortunate, and generally accepted by many who both like and dislike the Reid building, that it was awarded to Holl based on his Starchitect status, rather than to the best proposal.
Schemes offered by NORD and Elder and Cannon spring to mind as being far more responsive to the context, and a great deal more clever with the brief. A superb scheme was offered by Benson + Forsyth. Unfortunately that was the one that got away and more to the pity.
I think it is telling that there was no exhibition or showcase of the shortlist after the winner was announced.
I find what has been built is, from the exteriors at least, clumsy and dominating of the street. Any of the seductive luminosity that was suggested in the competition winning renders seems to be reserved for but a few small patches on otherwise monotonous green facades. Shame.
Looking forward to seeing the interiors. I hear Steven Holl himself invented the architectural concept of the lightwell. Who knew?
#6 Posted by Stevo on 11 Jan 2014 at 09:21 AM
This looks overbearing and completely out of scale and context. The interior looks interesting, but looks like the Mackintosh building will probably still outlive this hefty eyesore.
#7 Posted by pedro on 8 Feb 2014 at 03:37 AM
Big carbuncle - Glasgow has a knack of pulling down lovely buildings and sticking up hideous eye-sores. It may be nice inside but good architecture is for the passer by as well as the inside dweller. Sadly this is something that has been forgotten and even more sad that the art school seems to have ignored this. What a sterile zone Glasgow is becoming.
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