George Square, Glasgow, UK
Shortlisted, International Competition, 2012
Our proposal takes the form of an urban salon – Glasgow’s greatest public room and a place for enlightenment and entertainment, conversation and education. The incorporation of these themes has led to a space which is fully inclusive and welcoming of all: a place for both group gatherings and individual reflection; a place to meet and a place to pause. We have created a spectacular space which is responsive to the needs of George Square in the 21st century.
The cultural values of a city are often evidenced by what the city puts on display in the public spaces of the city. This is how a city is remembered and understood both locally and from visitors. Perhaps the most important new element we propose is the re-composition of the existing statues, as a cultural story of the city in a new space, which could also become home to new works as the city develops.