IT was with incredulity that I read the proposals of David Mullane for the renaissance of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) library and associated spaces severely damaged in the recent fire ("Mackintosh library plan should be ditched, says expert", The Herald, September 3).
Even the world-famous,Italian architect of last century, Carlo Scarpa, surely a master in the art of combining the antique with the avant-garde, would reject such a proposition in this situation. It only seems to work where the existing has outlived its usefulness and is changing its function. This is not the case at the GSA.
In my book, the term "Mockintosh" applies to cheap and degrading productions, albeit not pertaining to be original. This is surely not the case in this instance.
The available drawn, photographic and other available references in informative terms probably provide, as good, if not better guides than those provided to the original builders.
This will ensure a faithful restoration not only in the spirit of Mackintosh, but in the detail thanks to technological advancement since the original build.
V Andrew Traub,
Lower Cottage,
Hunterston Estate,
West Kilbride.
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