Since 2021 we have raised over £4 million pounds for the restoration of William White and Sons Clay Pipe Factory, one of Glasgow’s architectural heritage gems and important historical landmark in Glasgow’s industrial heritage.
The building
The Pipe Factory was built between 1876-79, and designed by architect Matthew Forsyth (1850-80). The Italian Renaissance-inspired design details are some of the most intricate and ornate use of brick to be found within the city.
The building comprises a complex sequence of three ornate red and white brick buildings, which were originally linked by an equally ornate two storey building filling the site between the three buildings (which was the main entrance and housed the kilns).
Matthew Forsyth was born in 1850, the son of James Forsyth, a farmer and his wife Elizabeth Downs. He commenced practice at the early age of twenty-three in Airdrie, but soon opened an office at 191 West George Street, Glasgow. In 1879 he was a member of the Council of Management of the Glasgow Institute of Architects.
He completed only a few buildings before his promising architectural career was cut short when he tragically died, in February 1880, at the age of 29.
looking to the future
Our project will help to save Scotland’s last remaining clay smoking pipe factory, by ensuring its ongoing use in the heart of Glasgow, securing the landmark building’s access and maintenance, whilst preserving and celebrating its history.
The flagship historic redevelopment will allow us to strengthen and expand our existing projects, placing collaboration and co-production at the core of our approach, in partnership with the many overlapping communities who already engage with us as well as those who may in the future, with our main public-facing presence located at street level.
Programming of the public areas will provide open, welcoming environments where people of all ages can explore art, culture, architecture and heritage through workshops, community projects and self-directed creative practice.
The renovation work includes internal remodelling, installation of a new lift and secondary staircase, external and internal building fabric repair and upgrade, full replacement/installation of low carbon and energy-efficient heating, lighting and ventilation systems, insulation, energy efficiency, and resource management systems, replacement of windows to double glazing , and internal and external doors.
The project architects are O’Donnell Brown Architects. You can find out more on the design and the history of this iconic building on their website and at our current studio space.
OUR SUPPORTERS
The Pipe Factory would like to acknowledge the invaluable support of our partners and stakeholders who have enabled the project to reach this important stage. We particularly thank the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, NESTA, our private social investors, our members, Community Enterprise, the Margaret McIver Company, and the communities of the Barras and Calton. We also recognise the founders of The Pipe Factory Ltd, and the wider creative community of Glasgow, whose energy, early vision and commitment secured essential repair funding and laid the foundation for the building’s future.