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 the influence of these texts can be found in the architecture of Glasgow or where the ideas that they present have influenced the Thomson’s design philosophy.

Following this introduction a number of rare editions of these books will be made available for your perusal by The Mitchell Library. Due to the sensitivity of some of these texts the we have had to limit the number of tickets for this event, so book early to avoid disappointment.

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.

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 McConnell – Glasgow Building Preservation Trust

Dara Parsons – Historic Environment Scotland

Jamie McNamara – Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

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 stone masonry, texture and pattern, and his abstracted use of classical forms in his Upper Street project.