Projects Hitting The Headlines
September 2009
The Practice is delighted to be working on two projects in Glasgow that have recently been featured in The Herald and Evening Times newspapers. Caledonia Road Church, designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson for the United Presbyterian congregation, has lain empty for over 40 years, but is now being brought back to life by the Alexander Thomson Society. The refurbishment of the King's Theatre, phase one has now been completed.
Caledonia Road Church
Caledonia Road Church stands like a sentinel on the approach to the Gorbals area of Glasgow. Thomson's three religious buildings have been described as "the finest Romantic Classical churches in the world". The architect earned his nickname "Greek" because of his style and decoration - though many of his features are more Egyptian than Greek. The Caledonia Road church was dedicated in 1857 but declining population and membership in the area resulted in the church closing in 1962. Glasgow Corporation took it over but it was neglected and in 1965 a fire gutted the building. Attempts to demolish it were resisted but even Glasgow's celebrations as "UK City of Architecture and Design" in 1999 failed to produce any concrete plans for restoration. Now the Alexander Thomson Society with funding from Glasgow City Council is regenerating the Church and site. The plans with Gholami Baines Architects for new exhibition space and café within the remaining shell and a new block across the back of the site to contain studios, apartments and office for the Society, have now been approved.
King's Theatre
Phase 1 of work at the King's Theatre in Glasgow was recently completed. The first of five phases was aimed at enhancing user comfort through improving the seating and ventilation. The floor in the stalls was completely replaced and a new air plenum was constructed with floor-mounted air diffusers serving every seat. A new 'continental' type of seating was adopted which allowed for a staggered layout to improve sight lines and increased leg room. With the success of the first phase we are looking forward to our continued input over the next 4 years with the emphasis on user comfort. The work will include replacing seats in the upper tiers, installing new air handling units and improving the public bars and toilets. Work back stage will also include constructing a new level stage and increasing the grid capacity so that the King's can continue to attract the top shows in the country.
