The architects given the task of restoring the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art following the devastating fire have said its world famous library can be rebuilt but with modern touches.
Page\Park, based in Glasgow, have been named as the design team who will lead the restoration of the world famous building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Page\Park, the GSA say, will lead a "successful reconstruction" of the Mackintosh Library, which was gutted by the fire in May last year.
David Page, head of architecture the firm, said they had studied the library, how it was designed and constructed, for three months prior to bidding for the job and now had "all the facts" at hand.
However he said the final look of the library was yet to be decided, and would only be constructed after discussions with the school.
Last week Professor Tom Inns, director of the school, appeared to end a public debate about what should be done with the library, saying it would be reconstructed.
Page\Park have what the art school (GSA) describe as an "extensive track record in both restoring and reinvigorating major historic buildings".
They also have experience of working with the legacy of Mackintosh - the practice has worked at his Hillhouse in Helensburgh, the former office of The Herald in what is now called The Lighthouse, and were lead designers of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project at the art school itself from 2007-9.
Mr Page said he was delighted the practice had won the commission and said "you begin a practice so you can get to this stage".
However, he did not commit to completely restoring the library as an identical replica to the original.
He said the library had been constructed in an extraordinary way, "nailed together like a garden fence", and now the practice was "looking forward to the dialogue" with the school over how it could be reconstructed.
Mr Page also questioned whether the new library could use the same materials: oak and timber from New Zealand, saying it would be a "challenge".
He added: "Our stance was to gather the facts and not be governed by the emotions of the fire.
"We need to stand back from that emotion and look at the job rationally."
Mr Page also said the state of the library now allowed the reconstruction to include modern technology in the rebuild, such as data cables.
The company will set up an external advisory panel to help inform the restoration process.
Work is expected to start on the building in spring 2016 with the "aspiration" that there will be academic access from 2017-8.
Professor Inns said: "The team assembled by Page \ Park Architects impressed us not only with their deep knowledge of the building, but of the wider work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
"They also bring an understanding of the building's particular importance to Glasgow - its people and history - as well as of its status as an international design icon."
"This is the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery.
"There will be many fascinating questions to be addressed as we undertake this complex restoration project."
Page\Park recently completed the new extension to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow and have also designed key redevelopments at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, originally designed by Rowand Anderson, and the MacManus Gallery in Dundee, designed by Gilbert Scott, as well as the Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian.
The shortlist for the restoration of the Mackintosh Building included Avanti Architects, John McAslan + Partners, LDN Architects LLP, Page \ Park Architects and Purcell.
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