The tragic fire that ravaged Glasgow School of Art's iconic Mackintosh Building in May 2014 has focussed minds on the value of its surviving organisational records as an indispensable tool to aid the complex task of reconstructing this world renowned building. Long overlooked photographs, period drawings, committee papers and even original receipt books have started to provide a unique understanding of the building's early history and subsequent use over the last century, and this information continues to shape the direction that this on-going restoration work takes.

In addition, scientific evidence gleaned from surviving paint samples along with the analysis of charred timber fragments has already proved invaluable as the task of rebuilding gathers pace. Much has been learnt already and there is great anticipation as to how the celebrated but completely destroyed Mackintosh library will look once rebuilt.

The intention is to completely restore the building back to what it would have looked like when it first opened in December 1909, but with one important proviso – which is that the building must continue to serve the needs of a working art school and should be fit for the 21st century.

Understandably there are areas of potential conflict. How accurate and faithful can this restoration be if the building is to meet the demands of a modern-day teaching institution? Compromises are inevitable as the task is not just about restoring an architectural monument, it’s also about ensuring that the building continues to live and breathe.

However, with archivists, historians and even archaeologists working alongside conservators, architects, engineers and project managers, Glasgow School of Art is confident that the restored Mackintosh Building when it opens in 2019 will, based on surviving evidence, be as authentic as it can be. Above all, the School is seeking to ensure that the building and its Mackintosh legacy is safe-guarded for future generations