To celebrate the bicentenary of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson‘s birth a programme of events and activities have been planned to take place throughout 2017. We will continue to update this calendar throughout the year with more and more exciting events as these are confirmed so please keep checking back. You can also sign up to our e-mail newsletter here to stay up to date.
Lines of Thought is an exhibition about architectural drawing and representation and is devoted to the work of Alexander Thomson, one of Glasgow’s most renowned nineteenth century architects. Curated and organised by the Alexander Thomson Society it celebrates the bicentenary of Thomson’s birth in April 1817 through a selection of original drawings by the architect…
Things as they are/as they ought to be is an exhibition of works spanning sculpture, film and textiles by artists Olivia Jones and Alberta Whittle. Taking place inside the ruin of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s first church, the building’s context and style have acted as catalysts for conversations surrounding memory, history and appropriation between the curator and…
Mark Baines is the chairman of the Alexander Thomson Society, an organisation that protects Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s legacy and his architectural heritage. This talk will look at the former Caledonia Road Church along with other buildings designed by Thomson on the South Side of the city, including Walmer Crescent, Moray Place and a number of…
As part of our 2017 lecture series, Mark Baines will discuss Alexander Thomson’s urban architecture and his lasting legacy in the city of Glasgow.
Booking opens to the public 6pm 28 August 2017 The Alexander Thomson Society have organised a series of special Thomson residential openings during the first two weekends in September 2017, as part of the ongoing events celebrating Alexander Thomson’s Bicentenary. This has been made possible due the generosity of the owners of the houses involved…
Booking opens to the public 6pm 28 August 2017 The Alexander Thomson Society have organised a series of special Thomson residential openings during the first two weekends in September 2017, as part of the ongoing events celebrating Alexander Thomson’s Bicentenary. This has been made possible due the generosity of the owners of the houses involved…
Discover a Thomson villa and 2 villas by other architects, some of Alexander Thomson’s beautiful external detailing of 5 of his residential buildings in Glasgow and where the 7 Glasgow muses are to be found.
Sir Joseph Paxton designed Queen’s Park with a surrounding area of villas. As built, the area has villas, tenements and schools, many designed by Glasgow architects. Tour with Roger Guthrie looking at a selection of these listed buildings.
Alexander Dennistoun commissioned a grand design from James Salmon for a new middle class suburb. However, as the 19th century ended, pressure to house Glasgow’s influx of workers forced higher population density, creating the community’s extraordinary variety. Led by Roger Guthrie of the Alexander Thomson Society. Meeting point: Duke Street Post Office (1 Annfield Place)
Alexander Thomson’s achievements included the the creation of some of Glasgow’s most remarkable housing. Walmer Crecent is a rare survivor of grandeur in an unexpected setting. Led by Roger Guthrie of the Alexander Thomson Society.
Lost Thomson: Glasgow’s Loss Thursday 21 September, 6pm £10 (£5 discounted rate for members of the Glasgow Art Club) In his bicentenary year, Fiona Sinclair gives an insightful talk on the lost works of the eminent architect Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. Please arrive at 6pm for a welcome drink, with the talk commencing at 6.30pm sharp.…
These informal and informative tours of the Glasgow Necropolis will be undertaken, weather permitting, as per the dates noted below. The tour guides assigned to each tour are also listed below. The assignations are subject to change. In 2017 as part of the Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson bicentenary celebrations, the Friends will be undertaking Friday Evening Walking Tours with…
Departing Glasgow Central Station at 10.20 Booking required by 26 August to atswalks@hotmail.com All walks cost £5, payable in cash to Roger at the beginning of the walk. Booking also available through Eventbrite at the link above. Please note, booking is only required for the Cove & Kilcreggan walk. If you have any questions, please…
Paul Stallan will provide a review of the architectural syntax of Thomson’s work, delving into the laws which governed his architecture, whilst discussing where this has influenced his own architectural designs.
The Alexander Thomson Society are pleased to present a rare books event in association with The Mitchell Library. Glasgow architect and director of the Society, Scott Abercrombie, will deliver a talk giving a historical context to the importance of these books in relation to Thomson’s work and other contemporary Glaswegian architects. He will discuss built examples where…
We are delighted that Eric Parry joins the Society this year to deliver our annual Alexander Thomson lecture. This event is open to all. Members can book tickets by clicking “enter promotional code” and entering the password they received in the post along with their journal. Members requiring a reminder of their password or other…
Architect and deputy director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Niall Murphy, will deliver a talk focussing on the life and work of Sir John James Burnet. His works include Charing Cross Mansions and the Clyde Navigation Trust building in Glasgow, and works to British Museum and Selfridges in London.
Art historian and actor Paul O’Keeffe joins the Society to perform John Ruskin’s ‘Architecture’ lecture, from the Ruskin’s 1853 series of lectures originally delivered to the Philosophical Institution in Edinburgh.
Nominated for the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards in 2017 for his research into James Sellars and his Kelvinside Academy building, Dominic Ferrie will present his ongoing research into the life and work of Sellars, and his link to Alexander Thomson.
Iain McGillivray will discuss the ongoing and planned restoration work at Holmwood, one of Thomson’s finest interiors. Followed by Helen Kendrick who will deliver a talk drawing from her fantastic book, Glasgow Interiors, prepared in collaboration with Neale Smith.
Writer, journalist and architecture critic, Owen Hatherley, joins the Society to deliver the inaugural Gavin Stamp lecture. Owen is the author of Militant Modernism, Landscapes of Communism and A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain.
Glasgow architect John Joseph Burns will present his research into the history of the tenement typology in Scotland, examining its development from the 1700’s to current times. “The Tenement typology defines Glasgow not only in it’s urban character but also in it’s history and it’s own self-perception. Much has been written about the Glasgow tenement…
The Alexnder Thomson Society and National Library of Scotland present art historian Anne Lyden (Chief Curator of Photography, National Galleries of Scotland) discussing the work of influential Victorian photographer Thomas Annan.
The Save Egyptian Halls symposium brings speakers together discuss the significance of this A-listed building and how it might be saved. Timetable tbc, speakers include: Niall Murphy – Glasgow City Heritage Trust Fiona Sinclair – Fiona Sinclair Architects Scott Abercrombie / Mark Baines – The Alexander Thomson Society Ben Adam – David Narro Associates Andrew…
We are delighted that this year’s Alexander Thomson Lecture will be delivered by Amin Taha. The London-based, Stirling Prize nominated architect of buildings such as 15 Clerkenwell Close and Barrett’s Grove will deliver a talk reflecting on his work and his approach to architecture. The Society were interested by Amin’s approach to the use of…
Patrick is an author and historic paint consultant with a wealth of experience in unpicking the lost decorative schemes of significant buildings across the UK, including Holmwood. His books, The Anatomy of Colour and Nature’s Palette have both been met with high praise and are exceptionally well illustrated. He joins the Society to discuss his…
Amin joins the Society to deliver his long-awaiting talk which was postponed at the start of the pandemic. He heads up the London-based practice Groupwork, which has won multiple RIBA awards and been nominated for the Stirling Prize. Amin is particularly interested in the potential of structural stone in modern construction, as well as experimenting…
Max is the curator of 19th century furniture at the V&A and author of books on Christopher Dresser and Daniel Cottier. He joins us to discuss his latest book, which focuses on Cottier’s work. Cottier and Thomson were closely connected, most notably collaborating on the design of Queen’s Park Church together.
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
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