Nearly a year after the devastating fire which severely damaged the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art, architects have been appointed to lead the restoration of the historic building.

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 will lead a "successful reconstruction" of the Mackintosh Library, in particular, a key feature of the building which was gutted by the disastrous fire last year.

The architects firm was one of five short listed for the key role in the restoration of the art school and were named as the successful practice today.

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 in Glasgow city centre, and were lead designers of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project at the art school itself from 2007-9.

David Page, head of architecture at Page\Park, said he was delighted the practice had won the commission.

He said that the practice had spent months analysing how Mackintosh had designed and built the building, especially the library, and now it was time to discuss with the GSA how exactly the library could be rebuilt.

Page \ Park undertook an analysis of the construction of a bay from the Mackintosh Library, including the creation

of an accurate scale model, to answer the question they set themselves: "What do we know about the library that will enable us to do a successful reconstruction?"

Now, Mr Page says, they have gathered enough facts about the building to confidently start its redevelopment.

Mr Page added: "We have, over many years, had the privilege to work on and in the context of the Mackintosh legacy, the highlight of which will now be the opportunity to bring The Glasgow School of Art into splendid re-use for its students and staff, the people of Glasgow and the huge audience beyond the city."

The company will set up an external advisory panel to help inform the restoration process.

The team will now work with the GSA to lay out a detailed plan for the restoration.

Work is expected to start on the building in spring 2016 with the "aspiration" that there will be academic access from 2017-8.

Professor Tom Inns, director of the GSA, 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," says Prof Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art. "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."

"Page\Park Architects have ongoing relationships with key crafts specialists and artists in Scotland and wider afield, and presented exciting proposals for expanding the legacy of the restoration by working with a new generation of creative talent.

"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.

"We are looking forward to working in partnership with Page \ Park Architects and the design team to explore how we can best meet the needs of the GSA in the 21st century whilst remaining true to Mackintosh's astonishing vision."

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.