Brad Pitt pays surprise visit to Mackintosh masterpiece
August 24 2011
With Angelina Jolie in tow Pitt toured the house to teach the Tomb Raider star about Mackintosh and architecture – culminating in the purchase of some novelty pencils for the pair’s six children
Pitt has professed himself to be an avowed mackintosh fan having previously visited Hill House in 1994 whilst filming Interview with a Vampire.
Recalling the experience Pitt said last year: “I went to Scotland years ago. The architecture is something. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, he was the man."
Lorna Hepburn, the National Trust for Scotland’s manager at Hill House, said: “Both Brad and Angelina were relaxed and friendly and clearly interested and knowledgeable. They were particularly taken with the decor of the master bedroom.”
Pitt has been filming sci-fi horror World War Z on the streets of Glasgow for the past week.
26 Comments
#1 Posted by D to the R on 24 Aug 2011 at 17:11 PM
There we have it ... from the mouth of brad ... CRM was 'the man' .. what an obituary
#2 Posted by wang on 24 Aug 2011 at 18:19 PM
for a minute there i thought i'd clicked through to the daily star gossip column - is this really the best storey the folks at urban realm could come up with?!
seriously
seriously
#3 Posted by wang on 24 Aug 2011 at 18:19 PM
or story...!!
#4 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 04:39 AM
@Wang
Darling, would you have been more impressed with the Story if it was George Clooney visiting the Charles Rennie MacKintosh building? Or maybe the cast of Hollyoaks?
Darling, would you have been more impressed with the Story if it was George Clooney visiting the Charles Rennie MacKintosh building? Or maybe the cast of Hollyoaks?
#5 Posted by wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 08:50 AM
if this "story" as amazing a piece ofjournalism as it is, had anything at all to do with the below statement it might have a place on the site, "Architecture and the built environment is an integral part of our society and we hope to provide a useful platform for debate, information and inspiration"
are the journos at urban realm taking a few weeks off? the standard of article is declining every day
are the journos at urban realm taking a few weeks off? the standard of article is declining every day
#6 Posted by Frank Lloyd Wright on 25 Aug 2011 at 10:16 AM
Wang, I think you are wrong.
The standards have been rank rotten for months now ;-p
The standards have been rank rotten for months now ;-p
#7 Posted by reporter on 25 Aug 2011 at 10:44 AM
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society are seeking to employ Pitt as their honorary patron – in that light the visit could be significant for the maintenance of Mackintosh's architectural legacy.
#8 Posted by Carlo M on 25 Aug 2011 at 11:19 AM
no need to reply to wang, his glass is nearly always half full and Frank L is clearly a dick.
#9 Posted by wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 11:26 AM
sorry Carlo - would you like me to praise the great editing on here, where it seems anything goes and spell checking/proof reading are out the window?!
#10 Posted by Frank Lloyd Wright on 25 Aug 2011 at 11:55 AM
Next time you design Fallingwater you will have the right to call me a dick, young whippersnapper.
If i was 110 years younger, you would be in line for a right doin'
If i was 110 years younger, you would be in line for a right doin'
#11 Posted by FW on 25 Aug 2011 at 11:59 AM
Carlo has a point Wang, don't read it if it troubles you, I don't think you're ever written anything positive on here.
Carlo, Frank's not a dick clearly, more a twat with a lot of time on his hands
Carlo, Frank's not a dick clearly, more a twat with a lot of time on his hands
#12 Posted by wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 12:12 PM
c'mon did you see the dutch mountain article?! followed up by this - i'm sorry if i've offended anyone criticising shocking buildings, poorly put together articles and non-stories. Here was me thinking that there might be some relevant or interesting architecture news for those of us practising in scotland, i see this is not the case.
fw, maybe you could try and have an opinion on one of the articles on here instead of waiting for someone to post something you wish you had thought of then jumping in like you actually managed to think....
fw, maybe you could try and have an opinion on one of the articles on here instead of waiting for someone to post something you wish you had thought of then jumping in like you actually managed to think....
#13 Posted by FW on 25 Aug 2011 at 12:18 PM
I don't wish to get into an argument with you wang, you're clearly young except to say that have made a number of posts, some positive, so not so.
The Brad Pitt article was featured on an number of architect websites, internationally so people must have thought it of interest, I thought so.
The Brad Pitt article was featured on an number of architect websites, internationally so people must have thought it of interest, I thought so.
#14 Posted by wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 12:30 PM
why not wait until someone else does and then agree with them?!
glad to see you know how old i am also - i must have missed the brad pitt story all over the architectural press, must have been lost in between actual informative articles, or maybe we just read different publications - i did note a nice feature of it in the helensburgh advertiser.
I'm also glad you are so aware of my posting history to say in one post that i have never written anything positive, then go on to say i have made a number of posts, some positive, which is it? -
anyway, the point is that urban realm would be a much more respected publication if they published well written and researched articles rather than articles you can find in the metro! who knows they might even sell some magazines!
glad to see you know how old i am also - i must have missed the brad pitt story all over the architectural press, must have been lost in between actual informative articles, or maybe we just read different publications - i did note a nice feature of it in the helensburgh advertiser.
I'm also glad you are so aware of my posting history to say in one post that i have never written anything positive, then go on to say i have made a number of posts, some positive, which is it? -
anyway, the point is that urban realm would be a much more respected publication if they published well written and researched articles rather than articles you can find in the metro! who knows they might even sell some magazines!
#15 Posted by Carlo M on 25 Aug 2011 at 12:34 PM
Get a grip wang
#16 Posted by Wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 17:53 PM
@Wang
Charles Rennie MacKintosh is one of the greatest architects/desiners to emerge from Scotland, the UK, Europe, The world in recent times. His work is of an international importance.
When one of the most famous actors in the world aswell as his wife Angelina Jolie admire his work, visit his building and talk about his brilliance, then of course it is of importance.
Wang, please stop this negativity -- go and get yer chakras fixed!
Charles Rennie MacKintosh is one of the greatest architects/desiners to emerge from Scotland, the UK, Europe, The world in recent times. His work is of an international importance.
When one of the most famous actors in the world aswell as his wife Angelina Jolie admire his work, visit his building and talk about his brilliance, then of course it is of importance.
Wang, please stop this negativity -- go and get yer chakras fixed!
#17 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 17:54 PM
*designers
#18 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 18:44 PM
oops, I think I accidentally put Wang's name in instead of mine on post no.16. lol.
#19 Posted by the real wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:01 PM
not sure if that's serious or not?
a cracking building in 1902, by a brilliant guy who died in 1928 - visited by an actor in 1994, mentioned in an interview in 2010 (very briefly) and now he's gone back it's suddenly massive important news?!
If we are now at a stage where one of (or more likely) the best architects ever produced here, has to rely on validation from a celebrity we are in a very bad state!!
(btw cheers for blocking my ip urban realm, your time might be better spent on research and reading the articles before they are published!)
a cracking building in 1902, by a brilliant guy who died in 1928 - visited by an actor in 1994, mentioned in an interview in 2010 (very briefly) and now he's gone back it's suddenly massive important news?!
If we are now at a stage where one of (or more likely) the best architects ever produced here, has to rely on validation from a celebrity we are in a very bad state!!
(btw cheers for blocking my ip urban realm, your time might be better spent on research and reading the articles before they are published!)
#20 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:25 PM
@the real wang
Charles Rennie MacKintosh doesn't need to be validated by anyone. And this article isn't attempting to validate him via Brad Pitt. The article is merely highlighting how one of the world's most famous men has visited a Rennie MacKintosh building due to his love for architecture.The simple fact is, Brad Pitt is in Scotland right now so his the media is covering his actions. Should the media also not mention the fact that Brad Pitt is making a film in Glasgow because by your logic, Glasgow shouldn't require the validation of a celebrity.
It was also reported in the media when Brad and Angelina visited 'fallingwater' by Frank Lloyd Wright. Did Mr Wright need validation -- ofcourse not!
Charles Rennie MacKintosh doesn't need to be validated by anyone. And this article isn't attempting to validate him via Brad Pitt. The article is merely highlighting how one of the world's most famous men has visited a Rennie MacKintosh building due to his love for architecture.The simple fact is, Brad Pitt is in Scotland right now so his the media is covering his actions. Should the media also not mention the fact that Brad Pitt is making a film in Glasgow because by your logic, Glasgow shouldn't require the validation of a celebrity.
It was also reported in the media when Brad and Angelina visited 'fallingwater' by Frank Lloyd Wright. Did Mr Wright need validation -- ofcourse not!
#21 Posted by Frank Lloyd Wright on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:38 PM
I secretly love it though! I only did the Guggenheim for the attention.
#22 Posted by wang on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:43 PM
What I've said from the start is that this is a story suitable for the daily star or metro, as you say, yes someone famous is in Scotland but do we really think it's big architecture news what was said in an interview a year ago about an already respected building and architect?
#23 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:50 PM
@ Frank Lloyd Wright
P.S John Lautner, good as he was, will always be second to you! lol.
P.S John Lautner, good as he was, will always be second to you! lol.
#24 Posted by Barry on 25 Aug 2011 at 19:54 PM
@Wang
Fact is, right now Brangelina ARE visiting the Rennie MacKintosh building so RIGHT NOW it is news.
What would be achieved by not reporting this news?
And what exactly is wrong with reporting this story? It doesn't detract from anything. It's nice news and it is architecture related.
If the Queen went and visited the Glasgow School of art on an architecture pilgrimage, it would make the news. That's just the way things are.
Fact is, right now Brangelina ARE visiting the Rennie MacKintosh building so RIGHT NOW it is news.
What would be achieved by not reporting this news?
And what exactly is wrong with reporting this story? It doesn't detract from anything. It's nice news and it is architecture related.
If the Queen went and visited the Glasgow School of art on an architecture pilgrimage, it would make the news. That's just the way things are.
#25 Posted by Brian on 26 Aug 2011 at 08:25 AM
Pity Scots gvt dont think its worth saving.So if brad etc get it onto news etc then its a good thing.I think the city should have its subway made over in mackintosh style.its unique.like paris metro is unique in style.
#26 Posted by Noah Murney on 26 Aug 2011 at 13:36 PM
Hillhouse is a building that makes me glad to be an architect. This news article is likely to encourage more people to visit and enjoy its wonders. Nothing wrong with that.
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