The Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building, a seminal example of art nouveau architecture by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, faces an uncertain future after being destroyed by two fires.

The school has announced that a full reconstruction of the 1909 landmark, which would cost £265m, is unlikely due to exorbitant costs and financial constraints.The current plan focuses on stabilising the remaining structure and removing external scaffolding, with the fate of the building hanging in balance.

Professional bodies and political leaders have called for government intervention and private funding to ensure its faithful reinstatement, emphasizing its national importance.Critics argue that even partial reconstruction or facade retention would diminish its heritage.The building's double destruction, following a 2014 fire and a 2018 blaze, has sparked debates about its restoration as a working art school.While Notre Dame's recovery offers a precedent, the Mackintosh Building's restoration remains stalled amid economic and political challenges.