The location was in essentially familiar territory. Having driven up from Ayrshire on the A77 to first check out the Scotland Street School (festooned with scaffolding), a neat trick was then to cross the river over the George V bridge. Then up eventually along the time honoured Byres Road in the West End with now its million dollar pavements and eventually to Maryhill Road and then the extreme north end of Shakespeare Street. There it was – the Mackintosh Church Halls as designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Not a large building – but one that should never be overlooked. The tango music drifted out from the main hall, inviting investigation. It was ‘Tango with Mackintosh’ time, and so it is every Saturday afternoon. I wonder how good you have to be at this to take part. You should never underestimate the ability of Glaswegians to win the Gold Medal of social chic.
In a smaller meeting room on the right of the building entrance, an impromptu exhibition of watercolour paintings entitled ‘Tango with Mackintosh’ added colour to the decor. I wonder who painted them. Obviously someone with talent – watercolours are challenging. They very ably capture the aura of the style of the building. The heart also stirred to see in the room the unmistakable design features of Mackintosh – the window facing onto the street, the decorative glass panels of doors.
But this is true of the whole building, which was only in part explored. In the main hall the heavy dark painted rafters admit ample daylight from generous skylights.
In the main hall, dividing doors to a storage area for chairs and other items is glass panelled with Mackintosh motifs, though the colours are subdued. A more full inspection of the building would yield more gems. The cloakroom area proudly exhibits its own unique design features, clearly with a Japanese resonance.
The entrance doorway is uniquely crafted.
What is noticeable is the good condition of the exterior sandstone of the building. There had obviously been careful selection its fabric.
The scale of the building in a way communicates its features more directly than perhaps would a larger one. The question ‘How difficult it would it be to introduce some of these features into my home space?’ is clearly answered.
