Riverside Museum – Zaha Hadid – 2011
This is only the second Hadid building that I have seen, a must for fans of contemporary architecture.
Category: Architect
SEC (Armadillo) Building
SEC Armadillo Building – Foster and Partners – 2000
I was particularly excited to see this building when visiting Glasgow. There is something about that armadillo shape that I am drawn to although I think I would have got better pictures and a better view from across the river.
Zaha Hadid
b. 31.10.1950 d. 31.05.2016
Born in Iraq the contemporary architect Zaha Hadid has completed works all over the world and her practice continue to operate after death. As the first woman to win the Pritzker architecture prize Dame Zaha Hadid is and will remain a leading figure in architecture.
Norman Foster
Norman Foster of Foster and Partners b. 01.06.1935.
Foster is a leading figure of contemporary architecture whose work is noticeable throughout London. Buildings include the gherkin, the London City hall and a wonderful roof that frames the great court of the British museum excellently.
Foster has also designed buildings farther afield. Two that I have been lucky enough to see are the HSBC Building in Hong Kong and a contemporary roof structure that was added to the Reichstag building in Berlin after fire destroyed part of the original building.
Daily Record Building
Daily Record Building – Charles Rennie Mackintosh – 1901
The Daily Record building was originally designed for the purposes of printing newspapers with office space above. I was quite shocked to see such an amazing and beautiful building down such a narrow backstreet alley. I had a good look at the building and took some photos, although it was hard to take a good photo due to the narrow proximity of the lane.
The building is now a cafe called Stereo but if there ever were any Mackintosh interiors they have long since been removed.
Queens Cross Church
Queens Cross Church – Charles Rennie Mackintosh – 1897-9
Looking at this church from across the road it is very plain to see that this is a mackintosh building. however when I arrived at the building by a taxi that approached from the side and I was quite underwhelmed. For a few seconds I genuinely thought the driver had brought me to the wrong place, which is what made the following few seconds all the more magical as I began to notice every little beautiful detail that makes a Mackintosh a Mackintosh.
You could almost be forgiven for mistaking this church’s interior as any other traditional church interior. This is the genius of this building. All the subtle Mackintoshisms make the building really special whilst still achieving the simplistic interior that was required.
The above pictures are perfect examples of what sets this church apart from any other.
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse – Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1893-95
Originally designed for The Glasgow Herald the building is now named ‘The Lighthouse’ which is in fact not a lighthouse in the middle of the city! It is the name of the building and actually the support for a water tank. The lighthouse is now a visitor centre and exhibition space as well as a great place too see the rooftops of Glasgow and visit an original Mackintosh design.
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art – Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Completed 1910
As you can see this photograph is of a model of a building. Unfortunately as most of you will know the original Mackintosh School of Art was severely damaged by fire in 2014. You can just about make out the original building behind this model Shrouded in scaffolding).
One of Mackintosh’s most famous works, The Glasgow School of Art is under extensive renovation and is due to be reopened in 2019.
Mackintosh – Master and Slave Clock – 1910
The Master clock (on the left) was linked up with all of the other clock’s in the school. mackintosh redesigned the clock face in his distinctive style.
Amongst the University’s collection of original Mackintosh furniture I was able to see this unique piece above which was very interesting.
Here you can just about see the sign above the door and some of the original railings.
Although disappointed initially I really enjoyed the tour that took place in the new building of the art school. I was able to see a wonderful collection of original Mackintosh furniture, the tour guide was brilliant, very informative. I would thoroughly recommend this tour.
I am definitely planning to visit again in 2019 and hope to be able to show much better pictures that do justice to this building.
The House for an Art Lover
The House for an Art Lover – Charles Rennie Mackintosh – 1996
The House for an Art Lover was designed in 1901 by Mackintosh as an entry for a competition for a German, modern design magazine. The competition was not won by Mackintosh, in fact he was disqualified for not producing the amount of drawings specified in the competition entry. The judges of the competition were however impressed with Mackintosh’s work and he received special recognition for his designs. The design of this building was not realised until 1989 when work was begun on The House for an Art Lover. The building was completed in 1996 by the architect Andy Macmillan and engineer Graham Roxburgh along with the help of many craftsmen and women, who used Mackintosh’s original drawings, to recreate his vision.
Beautiful carvings such as this one above add great detail to the building’s exterior.
The Interior does not fail to disappoint either. The white interior that Mackintosh has become famous for creates a wonderful and harmonius space with beautiful details like the light above and the hidden window seats.
The Music Room. In my opinion the most stunning in the house. Its size and attention to detail create another wonderful space.
In stark contrast to the first two rooms is the hallway (pictured above), which leads to the dining room, also a much darker room but still a lovely space full of detail.
The House for an Art Love has the honour of being my first building and first proper experience of Rennie Mackintosh. I have only ever seen Mackintosh furniture and various pieces designed by him in museums over the years.
The experience was incredible and quite emotional to be in the presence of such a building.
For the love of buildings 