Following a devastating fire that broke out last month, the Glasgow School of Art has begun dismantling parts of the celebrated Mackintosh building that were comprised by the damage caused by the flames and at risk of sudden collapse.

In a statement on the progress of the disassembly, the school issued an update on the following work:

Work began on the central section of the South façade, above Sauchiehall Street, on Tuesday afternoon (11 July) and this section has now been lowered to the bottom of the parapet.

Over the weekend of 14-15 July the South East staircase, which was one of the most fragile areas of the building, was taken down safely. The dismantling of this section is almost to first floor level. Work on the East end of the South façade is expected to continue for at least another two weeks.

Simultaneously work has begun to lower the East gable. All of the coping stones on the top of the gable had suffered severe fracturing caused by the metal cramps which hold them expanding in the intensity of the fire. One sample has been retained with the remainder moved quickly and safely into the interior of the building. The central turret and top of the gable have now been removed, and the down-taking of the main section of the gable is now underway.

On the North East façade the steel beams of the roof structure have been removed and reduction of the wall to the south of this area is now under way.

In the centre of the North facade the turret and set back section directly above the main entrance have been removed, and the tops of the two return walls have been lowered to second floor level. Reduction of the walls immediately to the south of this area is now proceeding.

The work has been undertaken to a methodology developed by David Narro Associates, which was shared with Glasgow City Council Building Standards and Historic Environment Scotland. It is expected to be completed on an 8-week timetable.

“The GSA’s priority is to make the Mackintosh Building safe and stable so that the community can return to their homes and businesses at the earliest possible moment,” said Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art. “Our contractors are working hard to achieve this and are currently on schedule.”