HERITAGE
REGENERATION
The concept of the multi-functional space was initially developed from the section of the proposed hall. The glulam rafter roof was reinforced by diagonal struts on either side to form the rigid frame. The upper part was glazed in contrast to the solid panel at the base. Emphasis would be on integrating the new work with the existing fabric. According to Cesare Brandi, the influential figure on historic conservation from the mid-century, when at the distance from which the new work to be viewed, the integration should render it invisible. The new and old were to become an unity. But from close up, the new needed to be distinguishable with no disguise. Reference was also made to the Venice Charter in 1964 for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites. In article 13, the addition was not to detract the original heritage from its interesting parts, its traditional setting, the balance of its composition and its relation with its surroundings. The hand drawn perspective of the Caledonia Road Church below outlined visually the initial intent on how the new addition integrating into the existing fabric.
URBAN DEVELOMENT
Ordance Survey - 1858
When the Caledonia Road Church was completed in 1857, it was regarded as the southern gateway to the city of Glasgow. In front of the church, it stood the Southern Station with five tracks of railway. The Southern Station remained in service from 1848 to 1879.
Ordance Survey -1893 to 1894
The Southside Station was stopped servicing with the opening of the Glasgow Central Station in 1879. In its stead, we can see from the map the main street station and gorbals station at elevated tracks and platforms for connection to St. Enoch Station on the other side of River Clyde.
Ordance Survey - 1952
The main street station and gorbals station was later replaced by the Cumberland Street Station by the turn of 20th century. The Cumberland Street Station was located at approximate 400m to the west of the original stations. This line remained in operation until the closure of St. Enoch Station by 1966. The tenement were demolished during the 1960s to 70s to make way for new residential development. Unfortunately, due to high crime rate and problem of delinquency, the high rise residential blocks were in turn taken down during the 1990s.
Ordnance Survey - 2022
We can see the realignment of the Hospital Street to the east of the site of Caledonia Road Church. Vehicular traffic renders the site unfriendly to the approaching pedestrians. Besides, the portion of elevated track where the main street and gorbals stations once sat has been covered with greenery currently. But that portion of track is being fenced off from public access at the moment, and the greenery is not well maintained at all.
ALEXANDER THOMSON
Alexander Thomson was born on 9 April 1817. He was hailed as the most important architect in mid 19th century of Glasgow. He was trained as a draughtsman prior to become an architect. Caledonia Road Church was designed in the productive years of Thomson when he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law John Bard. Caledonia Road Church was considered the finest church building he had designed.
EAST ELEVATION
In the archive elevation drawing, it featured banded ashlar on the facade treatment along Hospital Road. It contrasted with its polygonal masonry base. The banded ashlar was carried to adjoining tenement building which was also designed by Thomson.
TOWER AND ENTRANCE DOOR
The tower stood beside the raised portico, rising to a height of 35m. Its majestic gesture recalled the towers of San Gimignano in Tuscany Italy. At the top portion, the tower had three openings on each side, then the lantern started to taper and was topped with a lead pyramidal pitched roof. The circular features suggested the position of clock which was never installed.
The main entrance was on the south elevation. The south elevation had a Ionic pedimented hexastyle portico raised on windowless podium. It made one relate to the Acropolis in Athens of Greece. At bottom of the base, it had two timber doors with architrave pylon shaped and decorated with rosettes. The entrance doors were topped with acorterion which was the signature hallmark of Thomson.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The comparison of massing for the three important churches, namely Caledonia Road Church, St. Vincent Church and Queen's Park Church designed by Thomson revealed this mastery abstraction in form to suit particular site configuration and functional arrangement. The church was more than merely an example of Greek Revival during the neo-classical era. In fact, it represented architecture in its sublime quality. While Boullee and Ledoux, the visionary french architects during neo-classical era of late 18th century, embraced utopian abstraction on drawing board, Thomson captured the soul and essence of architecture in his real projects and lectures without any diminishing effect. In the sketches as shown, we can see that Thomson managed to weld functionality with a grand composition of forms. In contrast with the rigid symmetry of neo-classicism, the asymmetrical layout of Caledonia Road Church brought in a dynamic individualism that was not paralleled by his peers. It could be considered as the predecessor for modern architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies Van Der Rohe and Le Corbusier that took place by the turn of 20th century.
EXISTING STRUCTURE
The Caledonia Road Church suffered arson attack in 1966, leaving the existing structure in ruin. After the fire, urgent repairs were carried out by Glasgow City Council to stabilise the remaining structure. The masonry window arcades on the east and west were taken down. The back wall at the north was removed for safety reason. The tower and portico were stabilised by insertion of concrete slab on steel beam supports. Following the initial consolidation after the fire, further repairs were carried out in subsequent years. During site visit, we identified various work, including cement mortar repair, modern brickwork patch repair, external plastic repair, masonry repointing with cement mortar. According to register of Building at Risk, some repairs were also carried out in 1995.
CONDITION SURVEY
Survey was carried out by visual inspection from the ground level. The building was considered in fair conditions with regards to the condition survey. As it was constructed in Giffnock sandstone, moisture penetration with acid rain from the past was mainly responsible for the decay. Roof leakages at portico caused decay at pediment. Cement pointing and plastic repair during previous interventions accelerated localized stone erosion. Water penetration induced the crust formation and biological colonization. From conservation point of view, indent repair, repointing with lime mortar, removal of plant growth, and roof repair should be considered. Works were to follow principle of retention and consolidation. It was highly recommended to carry out further investigation to ascertain the extent of moisture penetration of the existing building by infrared thermography.
East elevation pathology mapping
West elevation pathology mapping
Ground settlement was detected at the original timber doors on south elevation. Noticeable vibration was caused due to nearby traffic and passing of heavy goods vehicle along Hospital Road. The adjoining pedestrian pavement was also in poor conditions. Structural intervention was to be considered in hierarchy of global versus local intervention. Corresponding strategies would be formulated to restrain the deformation and to improve the structural behaviour. From initial inspection, ground settlement was not in severe situation. Monitoring of the cracks to be carried out over time was recommended. For cracks near wall junction, further investigation into the footing conditions would throw light on remedial measure. Trial pits would help to ascertain the footing and underground conditions for appropriate local reinforcement.
MASTER LAYOUT PLAN
The master layout plan takes its inspiration from the piazza of Sienna, Italy and Via des Arts at Rue Daumesnil, Paris. The proposed plaza in front of the disused via-duct under the railway track will be the anchor public space and will become the town centre. Beside the plaza, it stands the Citizens Theatre while the Caledonia Road Church site will be only few hundred metres to the south. The via-duct will be rehabilitated for commercial use. The users are to be related to art and craft activities. A new metro station is proposed at location of the previous Gorbals and Main Street Station with direct linkage to the elevated green corridor.
BUILDING LAYOUT
SITE PLAN
Legend. 1. Pool 2. Hard paving 3. Runin/out 4. Statue 5. Lawn 6. Trees 7. Passage
In the site plan, servicing will be from the run-in and out at Cathcart Road to the yard adjoining the northern end of Caledonia Road Church. An artificial pool is proposed at the entrance of Caledonia Road Church so that the reflecting image of the portico will create a pleasing view of the monument in the night time. A statue of Alexander Thomson is proposed to be installed at the adjoining lawn to the north of the building.
Legend. 1. Pool 2. Hard paving 3. Runin/out 4. Statue 5. Lawn 6. Trees 7. Passage
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
At the GF, one of the end facade facing the north will be provided with full height glazing to capture the north light for the multi-purpose hall. A sitting area will be provided between the vestibule and the hall. The remaining triangular portion of the site will become the outdoor landscaped area and community gardening. The covered corridor under the cantilevered roof eave of the hall acts as the transitional space between the indoor and outdoor. A new metal staircase will be proposed in the tower to take visitors to the lantern at top level of tower. Metal is chosen for the staircase in lieu of concrete for reason of reversibility.
