‘Future generations will curse us for its loss’: can nothing save Glasgow School of Art, Mackintosh’s masterpiece?

Stratospheric costs could prevent the fire-damaged landmark from returning to its former glory. Now, unless a wealthy patron is found, the building seems destined for ‘soulless’ facade retention or ‘curated decay’ Doubly destroyed by two fires, Scotland’s finest piece of architecture, the Mackintosh building at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), cuts a lamentable sight, its charred carcass tightly shrouded in white plastic sheeting, like a vacuum-packed Christo sculpture. A 12-year saga of…