Glasgow art school talks – in Venice

Architectural experts are to meet in Venice to discuss the restoration of the historic library of Glasgow School of Art (GSA), destroyed in a massive fire in May.

The art school will host two meetings to explore key questions around the rebuilding of the unique library, one in the Italian city in October and the second in Glasgow next spring.

Architects are expected to be appointed early next year to lead the restoration of the famous Mackintosh Building

The city and the art world were rocked on 23 May when flames engulfed the art school’s grade A-listed, leading to the loss of about a tenth of the structure and 30 per cent of its contents.

GSA officials said that the two events would be “fundamental” to informing its construction plans.

Professor Christopher Platt, head of the Mackintosh School of Architecture, said: “We have decided to focus on the topic of the Mackintosh library specifically as this is the most delicate and culturally and intellectually significant aspect of the entire post-fire work.”