THE Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has released photographs highlighting the progress being made to dismantle dangerous parts of the fire-ravaged Mackintosh Building.
Top sections to the east and south walls of the south east block have been significantly reduced in height, while the south section of the east gable has been taken down to match the level of the south wall. Steel roof beams and RHS beams on the north east corner have also been removed and lifted to ground level.
GSA said most of the material removed this week was too badly damaged to retain and has been moved safely into the building. A “limited” amount of material which was in a good enough condition for retention has been recorded and will be removed for storage.
The design of schemes for stabilising the east gable and north façade have also progressed, a statement from GSA confirmed. These include a shoring scaffolding and internal bracing. Subject to approvals, this phase of the work will start in early August.
Work this week (23-29 July) includes further reductions to the height of the south façade, removal of debris from the second floor level, and the taking down of existing scaffolding around the north east corner of the building. Dismantling of the south west corner block should also begin later this week, depending on works being undertaken to make the O2/ABC building safe.
Professor Tom Inns, director of The Glasgow School of Art said, “The fire in the Mackintosh Building has had a devastating effect on the Garnethill community and especially the people whose homes and businesses are within the security cordon. We want to assure people that our first priority is dismantling the dangerous elements of the building in the safest way both for the workers and for surrounding properties. Our focus has been on the parts of the building which most directly affect our neighbours – the east gable and south façade – to ensure people can return to their homes and businesses as soon as possible.”
“Over the last two weeks the work has been going to plan, and we are still on schedule to complete the stabilisation of the building within the 8-week timetable.
“Throughout the programme of works our expert structural engineers are keeping in contact with Glasgow Council Building Standards updating them on the work so that they can assess when it might be possible to reduce the size of the security cordon.”
