Kier wins bid race for £25m Mackintosh restoration

The contract to provide full construction management services will be structured over two main phases. The first phase will see the creation of an external envelope to make the building wind and watertight.

Work on the fire damaged stonework of the library elevation will commence immediately and the roofs over the east and west wings will be replaced.The main works to restore the west wing and upgrade the east wing interiors will start in Spring 2017.

Kier will work in partnership with the GSA to appoint and manage teams of craft specialists who will undertake highly specialist aspects of the restoration including stained glass, lighting based on original designs, and the unique pulse mechanisms of Mackintosh’s slave and studio clocks.

Kier fought off competition from Balfour Beatty, BAM, John Graham and Sir Robert McAlpine to land the deal.

Liz Davidson, Mackintosh Restoration Senior Project Manager, said: “All the companies that bid for this contract provided extremely comprehensive, competitive bids.

“It was clear that an enormous amount of preparation, research and genuine understanding of the project had been undertaken and demonstrated. The final assessment was made on the basis of a 60:40 Quality:Cost appraisal and the wining tenderer therefore had to strike a fine balance between offering good value and exceptional quality. Kier provided the GSA with a tight, extremely well structured, highly competent and confident bid – combined with a competitive tender price.

The team they have assembled have a depth of experience and knowledge combined with solid construction methodology and practice. They convinced GSA of their organisational abilities to deliver a highly successful project, deliver good community benefits for local employment targets and social enterprises, and engage with the range of skilled crafts people and sub-contractors which will be essential to move this project from excellent to world class. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to our Enabling contractor – Taylor & Fraser Ltd – for the highly professional and accommodating manner in which they have worked with GSA to stabilise, de-risk and prepare the building for this next phase of construction.”

Brian McQuade, managing director, Kier Construction Scotland said: “The Glasgow School of Art is an internationally recognised building and it’s a huge honour to be working on restoring such a culturally significant project. Kier has extensive experience on working on iconic buildings including the Royal Opera House and the recently announced Edinburgh College of Art and our appointment is testament to the dedication and talent of the team.”

We are committed to working closely with the local supply chain, specialist conservators, local artists, students from the GSA and other industry training and employment groups to create valuable training, apprenticeship and employment opportunities throughout this restoration. We hope to also be able to attract a diverse range of new talent to the industry through our work on this historic and much loved building.”