Restoration of Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh building gathers pace

STEEL girders to support the new roof of Glasgow's fire-hit Mackintosh building were lifted in to place today.

Girders are lifted by crane from Renfrew Street onto the roof of the Glasgow School of Art, Mackintosh Building. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The art nouveau landmark, badly gutted out by fire on 23 May 2014, will receive a new roof as part of a multi-million pound restoration.

Earlier today, Kier Construction Scotland lifted fourteen, 7m-long steel girders, each weighing around a quarter of a ton, up to the roof of the fire-damaged west wing.

Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The girders were crane-lifted from Renfrew Street up to the top of the historic “Mack” building and in through the temporary roof. A segment of the temporary roof was removed to allow the girders to be moved into place.

A fire investigation confirmed in November 2014 that the blaze was started by gases from a canister of expanding foam used in a student project. It was estimated that around 10% of the building was lost in the fire along with around 30% of its contents.

Restoration of the Mackintosh Building, including its famous library, is expected to cost in the region of £35m, the cost of which is being met by the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Campus Appeal. It is part of a wider £80m, redevelopment of the Glasgow School of Art’s Garnethill Campus which includes the restoration and upgrade of the east and west wings of the Mackintosh Building and the purchase/conversion of the former Stow College building and site.