A significant part of the Glasgow School of Art building will need to be urgently dismantled because it is dangerously unstable, increasing doubts about its survival.
Safety experts said a large part of the south facade of the fire-ravaged Charles Rennie Mackintosh building would need to be taken down as a matter of urgency after surveys found its walls had moved significantly.
The surveys from mobile cranes, a drone and lasers, carried out in recent days, also revealed the building’s western gable had continued to deteriorate, and its east gable had continued to move outwards.
The dismantling was expected to start within days, officials said, but would be carried out in a controlled manner to prevent the structure’s catastrophic collapse, and ensure the stability of surviving walls.
Immediately after the fire, which devastated the category A listed and 110-year-old building, the council, school of art and Historic Environment Scotland had hoped its remaining structure would be saved to allow reconstruction. Some experts suggested that could cost in the region of £100m. Read more