Burrell Collection Renovation Honored as Scotland’s Top Building

The Burrell Collection in Glasgow has been recognized as the recipient of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award. This annual accolade, presented by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), was accepted by John McAslan + Partners, the firm responsible for the £68.25m Burrell Renaissance project. According to the judges, the project represents “an outstanding example of problem solving and future proofing that has rejuvenated an old friend”. Over a decade ago, Mr McAslan and his London-based firm were initially approached to explore a renovation of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. The A-listed structure contains the collection amassed by shipping magnate Sir William Burrell. Donated to the city of Glasgow in 1944, nearly 40 years passed before a suitable site was identified, due to the industrialist’s condition that it be situated away from the city centre and the pollution that could harm invaluable artworks. Upon its opening in 1983, it was natural elements that proved to be the primary source of damage, with rainwater penetrating the flat roof and reaching the galleries beneath. The task involved undertaking repairs and rekindling public interest in the collection while preserving the original design’s integrity, especially since the initial design team of John Meunier, Brit Andresen, and Barry Gasson remained active. They had also spent over a decade achieving their objective, having secured a competition win to design the museum in 1971. John McAslan stated, “The first challenge was to understand the original building,” adding, “What was important to the new original architects and what was critical to save, like the walk in the woods, that magnificent gallery on the north side of the building.” He further explained, “We had to understand how it was made and respect that. At the same time, we had to consider simple practical things like the leaks, and making it air tight. “And then we were able to create some modest interventions to enhance the building while respecting what was here.” A notable intervention is the central staircase, which connects the new basement area to the upper galleries. Mr McAslan commented, “This replaced a lecture theatre where no one visited,” and elaborated, “It’s essentially a set of steps, linking the café with the galleries but as it’s being used today it’s now a place for people to convene and talk.” An additional difficulty arose with the timing, as the museum was scheduled to open in 2020, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic. “It was hard, especially for the contractors who worked through the pandemic as much as they could. The building was finished on time, and pretty much on budget but we had to wait,” he stated. While it is common for major undertakings, such as King’s Cross Station, to span many years, Mr McAslan noted that the postponements meant several key supporters were absent at the project’s conclusion, including former Glasgow Life CEO Bridget McConnell, who has since retired, and Sir Angus Grossart, who passed away in 2022. Mr McAslan remarked, “This has been a collective project so the award is for everyone involved, 15,000 people in the local community, there are a lot of people involved.” John Meunier, a member of the initial architecture team, expressed dissatisfaction with the alterations, characterizing the space as “the sort you might see in a modern comprehensive school”. Furthermore, he disapproved of proposals to incorporate an additional entrance past the original 16th-century stone archway integrated into contemporary brickwork. However, a rise in visitor numbers to the Burrell Collection indicates a differing public opinion. Following the museum’s opening, John McAslan dedicated the initial days to observing visitors. He commented, “I think it’s been mostly favourable. The most successful projects are those where visitors are aware something has changed but it’s pretty much the same and that was the reaction. “People found it familiar but it was easier to navigate and the collections were more engaging, especially for kids.” Established in 2004, the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award commemorates an Edinburgh-based architect and developer. Two decades later, his family can no longer provide the monetary prize. RIAS, the award’s administrator, is seeking a new sponsor. Meanwhile, John McAslan expressed pride in accepting the recognition of the Burrell being designated Best Building of the Year. He remarked, “The cash isn’t really relevant,” adding, “It’s the title of building of the year that’s important and if it stimulates debate especially about repurposing buildings, that’s important. And not just cultural spaces, what about tower blocks and other buildings? Why demolish, when you could give them a new life.” Dunoon Burgh Hall serves as another, smaller illustration of his dedication to repurposing structures. He, his wife, and the local community successfully gathered the necessary funds to transform the dilapidated 19th-century venue into a community arts centre, which officially opened in 2017. “That took ten years and I have been looking for another Dunoon Burgh Hall since then,” he stated. He concluded, “I want to find a building which with a little bit of money and community backing can be brought back to life.”