A new exhibition at the RIBA draws together the design legacy of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh
![Mackintosh's hand-drawn designs including 'Artist's House in the country](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pmHwMknHhDS23aqDoQyBEd-415-80.jpg)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an exceptional draughtsman, so for the lovers of architectural drawings, the new 'Mackintosh Architecture' exhibition at the RIBA is just what the doctor ordered. Yet the visual feast promised by the wealth of Mackintosh's beautifully crafted ink drawings is not the only reason to visit this show.
The exhibition, opening today at the institute's Architecture Gallery, is an in-depth look at Mackintosh as an architect, as opposed to a furniture designer. The curators, Pamela Robertson, senior curator and professor of Mackintosh studies at The Hunterian for the Glasgow exhibition and Susan Pugh, RIBA drawings and archives curator, explore several of the Scottish architect's work, focusing on both built and unbuilt work. Mackintosh's portfolio is a 'bridge towards modernism', says Pugh. The story is told through a total of over 60 hand drawings, accompanied by scale models.
The displays include public buildings, multi-family housing projects, as well as several villas - the Glasgow Herald Building, Scotland Street school, The Hill House, Windyhill and the famed Glasgow School of Art are some of the key examples. The latter is of course another key reason to visit the show, and one that makes it a timely one. Mackintosh Architecture - a reworking of an earlier show at the Hunterian in Glasgow - is an appropriate reminder of the Scottish architect's precious legacy, following the Glasgow School of Art's tragic, destructive fire of 2014.
Tracking Mackintosh's career, from his apprenticeships (he started his first architecture one aged 16), to his early years as a young architect at Honeyman Keppie, and through to his evolution into an established architect and designer (and the formation of Honeyman Keppie & Mackintosh); this exhibition is a must-see.
Another drawing of 'Artist's House in the country' by the architect. Courtesy of The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
Mackintosh uses a range of diffferent media to express his ideas. 'Daily Record' by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is drawn in ink and watercolour.Courtesy of The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
Showcasing Mackintosh's notable Art Nouveau influences is 'Design for a house for an art lover', 1901 .Courtesy of RIBA Library
This linear image, 'Design for Scotland Street School' by Mackintosh, is a prime example of pattern and repetition being incorporated within his designs.Courtesy of The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
Overlooking the Scottish cityscape behind is the 'Glasgow School of Art'. Courtesy of RIBA Library
An additional drawing in ink of the perspective view of 'Windy Hill' by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, 1900. Courtesy of Glasgow School of Art
ADDRESS
Architecture Gallery, RIBA
66 Portland Place
London W1B 1AD
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Phaidon’s new Graphic Classics is a lavish greatest hits of graphic design
Graphic Classics is a compendium of seven centuries of visual culture, from the everyday and ephemeral to visionary works that reshaped our world
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Birley Chocolate hits the sweet ’n’ chic spot in London’s Chelsea
The new Birley Chocolate shop, a sibling to Birley Bakery, is a confection of colour as delicious as its finely crafted goods
By Melina Keays Published
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture lovers
Auberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
2024 RIBA National Awards: browse the list of worthy winners
The 2024 RIBA National Awards have been announced, comprising 26 projects across the UK
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024 honour 22 extraordinary buildings
The RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024 winners span from an art museum defying fire and flood in Australia to a school full of holes and sustainable strategies in Iran
By Bridget Downing Published
-
RIBA’s ‘Raise the Roof’ show is a deep dive into the history of its London HQ
With its ‘Raise the Roof: Building for Change’ exhibition, the RIBA explores themes including gender, ethnicity, race, and imperialism embedded within its own historic headquarters
By Shawn Adams Published
-
2024 RIBA Gold Medal recipient Lesley Lokko: ‘To be valued, understood and seen by your peers is rare’
Lesley Lokko receives the 2024 RIBA Gold Medal in a dedicated celebration in London, and talks to us about taking stock after a busy few years, and planning for the future
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Green House crowned RIBA House of the Year 2023
RIBA House of the Year 2023 has been awarded to Green House in London by Hayhurst & Co
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
RIBA’s architecture film screenings promise a cinematic summer
Reach for the popcorn! The RIBA in London has a series of architecture film screenings in the works, ensuring the summer unfolds with plenty of cinematic drama and fun
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
Yasmeen Lari celebrated with RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2023
Pakistan’s Yasmeen Lari has been presented with the RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2023 this week, marking her celebrations as this year’s architecture honour recipient
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The 2022 RIBA house of the year is among these homes
The hunt for 2022 RIBA House of the Year is starting, and this longlist contains the home that will be crowned the winner on 7 December – watch as the judges whittle down a shortlist weekly
By Ellie Stathaki Published