May 9 2023

Calls for an architect-led procurement process to get the Mackintosh restoration back on track are rising amidst fears of legal action over the mishandling of initial attempts to appoint a design team.

It is reported that John McAslan + Partners topped the original scoring matrix, but were beaten to the punch by another party (thought to be Hawkins/Brown) following a recalculation - only to be deposed themselves by a 'technical error' in the procurement process. Page/Park are said to have ranked third.

A Freedom of Information Request submitted by the Architects Journal suggests that one of the shortlisted architectural practices had challenged the outcome of the process because the cost and technical assessments were incorrect. That necessitated an embarrassing U-turn by the school which had to reset the process and bring on board an external procurement consultant to ensure transparency.

In a statement the GSA said: "We are committed to bringing on board a third party to undertake the review and to work with us on the next procurement process, applying the insights on the original process which have been shared with us following the announcement and in our discussions with the shortlisted firms and taking on board the lessons learned from the review."

Calling for architects to be put in the driving seat of this process Alan Dunlop told Urban Realm: "The architectural world is watching. Consequently, we need an architect of real significance and renown to be appointed to lead and a procurement process to facilitate that and make it happen."

For its part, the GSA assures that the timing and funding of advance works remain on schedule. 

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 10 May 2023 at 11:43 AM

When will the re-opening be in Paris?

This mob couldn't work a fire extinguisher never mind a procurement process.

Brass neck you could mine.

#2 Posted by Whispering Andy on 10 May 2023 at 13:51 PM

Whisper it.......but bring in the Ferry procurement maestros from ScotGov.

#3 Posted by Showbiz Sam on 10 May 2023 at 15:02 PM

"We are committed to bringing on board a third party to undertake the review and to work with us on the next procurement process, applying the insights on the original process which have been shared with us following the announcement and in our discussions with the shortlisted firms and taking on board the lessons learned from the review."

Did whoever was the author of this word salad even check this 'statement'? It really is pretty appalling. Truly embarrassing corporate cringe schpeak.

I have no doubt that in these corporate hands, the future legacy of one of Scotland's finest buildings by a world-famous Scottish Architect will be finally killed off. After all, it was only Glasgow. No harm done there.

#4 Posted by KLD on 10 May 2023 at 16:02 PM

Time to demolish the ruins and move on.

#5 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 10 May 2023 at 17:14 PM

Many charged with protecting the fabric of Glasgow live in very nice houses and drive very nice cars to the very nice schools their children attend, while their very nice pension and very nice salary compounds to let them take very nice holidays four times a year.

Meanwhile, Glasgow burns. And collectively, they wring their hands and attend public inquiries where they make some very nice speeches about how it's not their fault, it was a guy, a big guy or a wee guy, or another guy's fault, or nobody's fault, just one of those, one-in-a-million - sorry, two-in-a-million - chances and while it's a shame we've lost heritage, heritage is sorta cumbersome and annoying, and less than ideal in the 21st century, unlike the new, projected replacement, probably in green glass and white roughcast, with just a small percentage of the footprint given to student housing because somebody has to pay, and keep paying, because while it's burnt down twice, three's the charm, so best to pave it and start again.

#6 Posted by MV on 11 May 2023 at 09:28 AM

Well said #5

#7 Posted by Ghetto King on 11 May 2023 at 09:45 AM

Let's face it. It's never getting rebuilt. Student flats with a cafe at pavement level probably called "Mackintosh" where you can buy replica "Mackintosh" items. Enjoy the whole "Mackintosh" experience.

#8 Posted by And just one more thing... on 11 May 2023 at 10:55 AM

While the lawyers circle the cadaver, this is the way the world ends, not with a bang but with a statement and assurance from GSA that the 'timing and funding of 'advance works' remain on schedule.

Yeh, right out the same drawer as another political cabal of grifters.

#9 Posted by Sprinkles the wonder pup on 14 May 2023 at 10:38 AM

Decades of mismanagement never properly reported or addressed.

A crucial moment in the enquiry on the first fire was the question about sprinklers not having been installed long before:

Public money given for that was simply not used, the answer given. ‘Asbestos’.

Then very strangely no further explanations or questions about it or why they didn’t safely remove it or protect it and work around it as is normal protocol when very important work needs to be done. Am sure you know that though. They had a room full of so called professionals and literally no one asked why they failed so dramatically and were still in post.

No wonder there was a second fire.

Third time lucky?

#10 Posted by I didn't get a first on 16 May 2023 at 17:10 PM

GSA/the mack has some great teaching staff but, let's face it, anyone who has studied there is not remotely surprised about the management incompetency which would make British Leyland look like a paradigm of organisational efficiency. It is risible but also just a bit sad.

Like planning, building control etc there is 30% of people breaking there back and the vast majority just below par quality with a cosy job in an institution of fart-smelling mediocrity

#11 Posted by Lovely on 19 May 2023 at 11:42 AM

A bit of mediocrity is to be expected but wilful mismanagement on such an extreme and very very costly level is highly unusual.

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