Showing posts with label Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Show all posts

Sunday, 20 September 2009

20 September 2009 - Glasgow School of Art

A Sunday tea time treat for us, a tour of the Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow. Another tour courtesy of the Doors Open event.

It won't come as a surprise that the entrance to Glasgow School of Art is appropriately sign posted in true Rennie Mackintosh style.



The main entrance is amazing. Funny though you can't describe it as grand. Nor is it lavish. It's "just right!" I think I like the fact it's not symmetrical like many of the other "pillared" buildings we had visited the previous day. As the front of the building spreads to the side you could be mistaken into thinking either side of the central entrance aspect are symmetrical but they are not. Long iron "rose like" bars rise up from the lower window lintels and if you look closely the "bud" element of the flower increases in age from left to right; starting off as a closed bud form and by the time it is repeated in the right hand side it becomes a more open looking flower. Our guide explained this symbolised an art student starting out and developing into a more mature student as their studies progressed.



We liked the entrance; grand stairs leading to quite a modest black door. The iron archway with a box in the centre also adds that little bit of magic.



Loved the brass door plates!



This is a view to the side of the building. Behind the long windows lie the library. Dark wood fills the library but these windows throw in generous amounts of natural light.



You get an idea of the scale of the windows here.



Unfortunately no photographs are allowed inside the building. They do tours during the year and it is worth a visit believe me. The interior has an indescribable aura and you get this feeling that the place exists to inspire and encourage the students that study within.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

05 July 2009 - Hill House

After lunch we headed back up the hill to Hill House. It's a house that was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh back in 1902 and which was built by 1904. As we weren't allowed to take pictures inside you can't see any of the amazing pieces of furniture or room designs however this is the house from the back garden.



Part of the gardens.



The side of the house from the gardens.



A garden sculpture.



The front of the house.



Even the lamp-posts are CRM inspired.



The front of the house from the street.