AGAINST THE GRAIN
The failures of late Neoliberalism are stark in Glasgow city centre; homelessness, failing high streets, excessive consumption, underfunded public services, private equity and failing high streets, domineering financial corporations, and so on. Glasgow Wood represents a different set of priorities which can be harnessed in a new and positive political direction. When established as an institute in the city, these values can take their rightful place and Glasgow Wood can sit as an activist amongst a hostile landscape.
The institute hopes to challenge existing social and political convention at every opportunity. It should be self confident and aware of its own purpose in transforming the city’s relationship with circularity, skills and waste as well as coming to represent a new direction for the city centre. The building is formed of a timber box set against the grain of the city’s grid. This box is formed of a series of standardised and demountable structural timber components which can be mass produced off site. This timber box is supported by a steel system which runs in line with the city. This helps to define spaces amongst the free plans and creates interest as well as reiterating the building’s unusual placement internally. The building consists of production workshop space, learning space, craft space as well as a main showroom and a flexible gathering hall on the top floor for events and congregation. The building prioritises providing a flexible framework for the institute to exist which allows for evolution in purpose and programme as the organisation settles in the city and its role develops.
