Cathedrals everywhere for those with eyes to see.

Modernist Delights is a blog about modernist and brutalist architecture. Find out more.

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Bourdon Building, Glasgow School of Art, 2025

A steep street with parked cars leads uphill past a modern, concrete building. Pedestrians walk by the THIRD EYE BAR sign on the left. A yellow Diversion sign and scaffolding are on the right. The sky is partly cloudy.

A modern building with large windows and concrete columns, some painted yellow and green. Bicycles are parked against the wall, and a white SUV and a red car are parked on the street in front. The sky is overcast.

Building plans as well as fantastic illustrations by Nebo Peklo are available on the Glasgow City Heritage Trust website.

301 St Vincent Street / Abbey National House, Glasgow, 2025

A large, modern office building with dark glass panels and greenery on upper terraces sits at a street corner. Cars are parked nearby, traffic lights and street signs are visible. A construction crane and unfinished high-rise can be seen in the background.

Originally built as the HQ of Britoil (later BP) in the early 1980’s, and subsequently acquired by Abbey National (later Santander) in 1993, this was once the largest single-occupant building in the UK.

Though not modernist, this is the kind of modern building I enjoy. The darkened glass and brown detailing give it dramatic mood, it fits excellently into the uneven site, and the integrated nature softens it.

A planning application (filled with historical information and imagery, which I am thankful for) was filed in March/April 2024, but when I visited in October 2025, it didn’t appear that any work had taken place. The application is for a full internal refurbishment as well as a new façade with a curtain system providing improved energy performance. If I knew the external appearance was at risk, I’d have taken better pictures, but hey — it might still look the same by the time I return to Glasgow.

From January 2026, our hotel will be undergoing a full room refurbishment to enhance your stay. Renovations will be carried out in phases, so only a portion of bedrooms will be unavailable at any given time. All other services, including breakfast, dining, and room service, will continue as usual.

Excellent! I keep meaning to stay there. What appear from afar to be slender-framed aluminium windows, though obviously attractive from outside, do not suggest a cosy indoor environment.