Glasgow School of Art
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As the Victorian era drew to a close and the new world of the 20th century dawned Glasgow was firmly established as the ‘Workshop of the British Empire’ thanks to its industrial prowess.
The city’s well-earned reputation for building great ocean-going liners and steam locomotives created simultaneously a demand for craftsmen with the requisite skills to produce the high quality, decorative finishes expected in this new, glamorous age.
Under the direction of headmaster Francis Newberry, the Glasgow School of Art and Haldane Academy (as it was then called) rose to meet this demand for skilled artisans and became widely recognised as being at the forefront in the teaching of architecture and the decorative arts in Europe.
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Mackintosh was one such student and attended evening classes at the School along with colleague Herbert McNair while both were employed at Glasgow-based architecture practice Honeyman & Keppie. During their time at the School they met sisters Margaret and Frances Macdonald and became collectively known as ‘The Four’.
By 1896 the School was outgrowing its premises, and to cope with its rapid expansion, an architectural competition took place to design a new Glasgow School of Art.
Although still a junior draughtsman at Honeyman & Keppie, Mackintosh's design for the new building (at a cost of £14,000) was the winner and heralded the birth of a new style in 20th century European architecture.
Today, The Glasgow School of Art is regarded as Mackintosh's architectural masterpiece where he gives full expression to his architectural ideals. The school was built in two phases - the East Wing (1897-1899) and the West Wing (1907-1909).
Guided tours of the building take place throughout the year.