This is a recording of a talk called Glasgow's Commercial Architecture Evolution of a Mercantile City which was recorded in 2021.
During the Victorian era Glasgow went through explosive city growth becoming, prior to the First World War, the eighth largest city in Europe. However, unlike the other cities on that list, Glasgow was not a national capital. This meant its architects did not have the same opportunities, such as commissions for Palaces or major Government buildings, with which to express their creativity. Instead, they channelled their design skills towards the commercial buildings, warehouses, factories, and tenements which made up the urban fabric of a city twice as dense as London. This proved fertile ground for a series of brilliant home grown talents such as Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Sir John James Burnet and James Miller amongst others. This talk explores their contribution to the development of Glasgow’s commercial architecture as it grew into a great mercantile city and explains why, in Ian Nairn’s words, Glasgow “…is like a Beethoven symphony played over 150 years…”
Niall Murphy is a conservation architect with 20 years’ experience, and, as Deputy Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, is heavily involved in heritage, conservation, and community issues in Glasgow. He is also Chair of Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust - who are delivering the conservation repairs to a large derelict Edwardian Baths complex on Glasgow’s Southside and, from 2008 to 2018, served as chair of Pollokshields Heritage, the amenity society for the largest Victorian Garden Suburb in Scotland. As well as serving on the Glasgow Urban Design Panel, Niall has been a member of the Development Management Working Group for the Scottish Government’s Planning Review. In 2017 Niall won the Glasgow Doors Open Day Excellence Award for Inspiring City Tour, in 2014 the Glasgow Doors Open Day Above and Beyond Award and he was nominated for the Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place Award for Civic Champion in 2015. He regularly lectures on architecture, heritage, and urban design issues.
After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.
This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.
The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider.