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Connect with Glasgow’s Architecture, Connect with Glasgow, Scotland

April 21, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Scottish Gothic Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland

This evening, I am following yesterday’s theme with further illustrations of Glasgow’s rich architectural heritage.

Above is the 13th century Cathedral which was designed in Scottish Gothic style. This place of worship started as Roman Catholic and is now Presbyterian. It is very unusual in that it managed to survive the upheavals of the 1560 Reformation without suffering significant physical damage.

In the image below we move to neo-Gothic style as demonstrated in the 1904 design of St. Columba Church, this being the work of Tennant and Burke. This Presbyterian Church provides for worship in both English and Gaelic.

St Columba Church, St Vincent St., Glasgow

Here is another church, this being the work of famous Glaswegian architect, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson and was finished 1859. Thomson was inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece. The building is raised on its own man-made Acropolis on the steeply sloping site.The ionic porticoes are symbolic while the tall steeple may have some Indian influence. This St Vincent St Church is used for worship by the Free Presbyterians.

St Vincent St Church by Greek Thomson, Glasgow

Moving now to the modern era, here is the Eagle Building in Bothwell Street. Dates from 1992 and was designed by SBT Keppie. The building is steel framed with glass curtain- walling and rainscreen overcladding. The interior houses the reconstructed part of the original Eagle Building sandstone venetian facade with full cornicing, keystones and arched window details.

Eagle Building, Bothwell St., Glasgow

Finally, yet another place of worship. This is the Baptist Church in Adelaide Place which dates from 1877 and is clearly influenced by the classical period with the facade featuring Corinthian columns. Designed by T.L.Watson.

Baptist Church, Adelaide Place, Glasgow

I plan to post more examples of Glaswegian architecture in due course.

Buildings, Churches, Glasgow, Glasgow Architecture, Greek Thomson, Locations, Scotland tour, Tours none

Visit Glasgow’s Architecture, Visit Glasgow, Scotland

April 20, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Tay House, Bath St, Glasgow, Scotland

Today, I embarked on a trip into Glasgow to photograph a selection of the city’s noteworthy architecture, a task aided by fine and dry weather.

Above is Tay House, 300 Bath Street which was designed by Holford Associates in 1991.The building occupies a site which was formerly a car park. Cladding in salmon-pink mounted on a brick wall plinth with grey metal pillars.

Below is the iconic, Art-Deco era Beresford Building dating from 1938. Originally a hotel but now a mix of privately owned and serviced apartments.

Beresford Building, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

Now we jump back to 1868 and the Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson designed Grecian Buildings in Sauchiehall Street. Designed as a commercial warehouse which, like most of Thomson’s work, was inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece.

Grecian Buildings, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

This is Dalian House at 150 St Vincent St. Designed by Jenkins and Marr 1990. This structure was designed for 70 pct commercial and 30pct residential. Vertical buff coloured brick pilasters were used along the elevations with continuous long bronze-tinted double glazing between them.

Dalian House, 350 St Vincent St, Glasgow

Here is an unusual structure, the Spectrum Building in Blytheswood Street. Designed by sm+ad architects 1999-2000. Some wags have labelled it ‘ Turkey in Bacofoil’.

Spectrum Building, Blytheswood Street, Glasgow

Clearly, Glasgow has a wide range of interesting architecture to discover and admire.

Buildings, Glasgow, Glasgow Architecture, Greek Thomson, Locations, Scotland tour, Tours none

Visit Glasgow, Visit Scotland

June 14, 2011 catswhiskers Comments off

River Clyde, Glasgow at night

This evening, the focus of my blog is Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city with a population of just under 600,000.

Glasgow attracts over one million each year but perhaps not all appreciate the wide variety of history, heritage and culture which can be encountered here. Places to visit and connect with include:

A 13th century Cathedral which, unusually, escaped the worst ravages of the Reformation virtually unscathed.
A Necropolis (City of the Dead) populated with some extremely grand memorials to the great and the good of the Victorian era.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh design and architecture.
Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson architecture.
Govan Old Church with its unique collection of over 30 elaboratelycarved stones from the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
Fascinating modern architecture around the River Clyde
Gardens such as Greenbank.
The famous Burrell Collection.
Crookston Castle
A herd of (very photogenic) Highland Cattle.
George Square in the city centre. Enjoy High Tea and the view.
Scotch Whisky making at Auchentoshan Distillery