THE contractor leading the restoration of the iconic Mackintosh building at the Glasgow School of Art has said its team is “keen to do whatever we can to help moving forward” following a second devastating fire in four years.
Kier Construction won the £25 million contract to manage the restoration of the building, following the first blaze in 2014. The famous Mackintosh Library was to be restored to its original 1910 design using information from items retrieved and information gathered in an archaeological survey, along with consultation of Mackintosh’s original designs, early photography, letters and other documents.
Those plans would appear to be in tatters following a massive fire last Friday, which at its peak involved 120 firefighters and 20 fire engines being deployed to the scene in Glasgow city centre.
A Kier spokesperson said, “An agreed fire safety strategy was implemented for the build phase of the Mackintosh restoration project, which combined measures for the protection of all those entering the site to work and to alert the authorities in the event of an outbreak of fire. These included a smoke and heat detection system and regular evacuation tests as well as 24 hour, 7 days a week security and fire warden patrols by a team of three guards, originally appointed by the client after the 2014 fire and subsequently by Kier.
“We continue to work with and support Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our client as they determine the next steps for the Mackintosh building and site. We have a passionate team of local construction and crafts people, skilled conservators, supply chain and engineering specialists who have worked incredibly hard on this iconic landmark, and together we are all keen to do whatever we can to help moving forward.”
