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Glasgow Lighthouse

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Drever
Drever
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4 out of 5
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Glasgow Lighthouse, Scotland's centre for architecture and design

  • June 14, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
Glasgow Lighthouse, Scotland's centre for architecture and design

Charles Rennie Mackintosh, outstanding architect, furniture designer, and painter, is one of the most innovative figures of the early 20th century. Fittingly Glasgow is honouring him throughout 2006 with celebrations of his work with over 100 events at over 30 settings.

In reality though, the celebrations started in 1999 when the Lighthouse opened as Scotland's centre for architecture and design. Mackintosh himself had designed the building in 1895 for other purposes but the building has proved adaptable. A tower originally containing a water tank for dousing fires but now incorporating a spiral staircase makes the name ‘Lighthouse’ appropriate.

The forth floor hosts a permanent Mackintosh Interpretation Centre. A viewing platform on the 6th level shows when looked across Glasgow, the city’s just reasons for celebrating its architecture. Galleries in the centre educate visitors on the aims, achievements, and problems facing architects. The centre has an interactive, creative play environment for young children and a dedicated education floor extending to 1000 square metres, including workshop, computer laboratory, gallery space, and an innovative project called the Urban Learning Space. There is also a conference centre, shop, and two cafes. Since opening the centre has welcomed well over 1 million visitors.

Mackintosh pioneered the Modern Movement in Britain. Artistic collaboration with his wife Margaret Macdonald, whom he first met at Glasgow School of Art, extended his frontiers. He took his inspiration from Scottish traditions and blended them with the flourish of Art Nouveau and the simplicity of Japanese forms. By skillful exploitation of natural and artificial lighting and use of detail, his buildings are notable for their elegance and fitness for purpose. Some of his well-known pieces of furniture have become icons.

Mackintosh's died in London in 1928 but his designs gained in popularity in the decades following his death. Born in 1868 near Glasgow Cathedral, he is one of the most celebrated architects of his generation, although not all of his designs made it through to the building stage in his time. His plans for a House for an Art Lover only became bricks and mortar in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park during 1996.

The University of Glasgow helps display Mackintosh work. It rebuilt a terraced house he had designed which now forms part of the University's Hunterian Museum. Inside are displays of his and Margaret's work.

Mackintosh designed the Glasgow School of Art in Renfrew Street when only 28 years old. The outside and interior, furnishings, and decoration of this Art Nouveau building, built between 1897 and 1909, reflect his genius. Architects and designers from all over the world come to admire it.

A block away in Sauchiehall Street is Mackintosh's ‘Willow Tearoom’ designed in 1903 for Kate Cranston who made tearooms fashionable. Restored to its original Mackintosh Art Nouveau design, right down to the decorated tables and chairs gave us an interesting place for a snack. Upstairs we found further displays.
Across the city there are many more examples of his work.

From journal Glasgow City of Architecture and Culture

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