The Mack

Today following a meeting with Glasgow School of Art's Director and senior staff, I was fitted out with a hi-viz jacket, gloves, protective glasses and hard hat and was taken on an tour of the Mackintosh Building.

It is over seven months since the fire that ripped through the west wing of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's masterpiece. As I walked around the Mack I was surprised to see studios and corridors that survived intact next to those that were totally destroyed. Walking into the Library and Studio 58 were the most heart-wrenching experiences. Seeing the devastation and burnt embers of the pillars in both rooms was very emotional.

I didn't have a great deal of time to take photographs - these images, show from left to right clockwise, the embers of a pillar in Studio 58, north west section of the burnt out Library, the charred remains of the light fitting supports in the Library and the remains of the Hen Run.

Yesterday the Glasgow School of Art announced the firms shortlisted to lead the restoration of the Mack. The five-strong shortlist comprises Avanti Architects, John McAslan and Partners, LDN Architects LLP, Page\Park Architects and Purcell.

The five practices have now been invited to present more detailed proposals on their approach to the restoration. They will make their presentations in mid March 2015 and the appointment will be made by the end of the month.