Bill Mason's Talk (Head of Estates at GSA)

• In 1850's school was near George Square, then moved to the McLennan Galleries.


• School was built in 2 sections, East half built first.


• Current restorations will be finished by December 2009 and will be the 100 year anniversary of when the full building was completely finished.


• From sub-basement up to the top floor there are 10 floors.


• Originally not many approved of the appearance of the building, this makes sense when you consider that the Glasgow City Chambers was built at the same time

• Originally, Studios 38, 39, and 40 were separated by folding partition walls which would be opened to create one big hall. Hopefully one of these partitioning walls will be replaced in the current restorations.


• During WWI, the Mackintosh Building was used as a collection point for Spagma Moss, which was used in bandages for the wounded. School children would go and collect the the moss from surrounding countryside. One half of the school was used as a hospital.


• During WWII one half of the school was again used by the red cross. Students were given metal helmets and sent up onto the roof to be look outs for bombings and fire damage in other parts of the city. There is a hook situated on the west gable end of the building which was the only means of escape if people were caught on the roof- thankfully it was never needed.


• The Mackintosh had one of the first integrated heating systems of its day. It was a coal and steam driven system which pushed hot air along a tunnel on the Ground floor which was then distributed throughout the building through wooden vents.


• Two chimneys can be seen on the back of the building which were connected to the only two stoves in the building: The green house; and in the sub-basement where it was used to heat glue and so on.


• Up until the 1970's the head janitor and his family lived in the Janitors House, now the Estates Offices. This was a self contained apartment, which had upstairs and down stairs. The House was accessed through the door on the left hand side of the corridor when you enter the building through the East entrance.