Conservation specialist challenges 'replica' restoration of Mac library

摘要

A renowned conservation architect has challenged the Glasgow School of Art to resist demands to rebuild its fire-damaged library 'exactly as it was'before the blaze in May. In the aftermath of the fire, a number of architects said the library should be replicated. John McAslan - who restored Mackintosh's last major commission, at 78 Derngate in Northampton - called for the library to be rebuilt 'as authentically as possible, to recreate the feel of the building as it was the moment before the fire.' However, Julian Harrap - who has attended a number of expert meetings on the building's future, including one held last week in Glasgow - said he feared 'insurers and loss adjusters'were driving an unnecessarily hasty effort to build a replica of the library.