House for an Art Lover


(Haus Eines Kunstfreundes)

Located within Bellahouston Park, House for an Art Lover, or Haus Eines Kunstfreundes, was built in 1989-96 to designs created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901. It was his best known and most influential design and would certainly have won the German design competition it was created for, if only it had been entered on time. It did, however, win a special prize and was widely praised by his peers.

The house comprises a double-height Main Hall, an intimate Dining Room with distinctive Mackintosh furniture, bright south-facing Music Room, and the simple Oval (or Ladies) Room which features a remarkable central light fitting. The house also shows the considerable influence of Mackintosh's wife Margaret MacDonald (1865 - 1933), and a further room is dedicated to her.

The project to build the house was initiated by consulting engineer, Graham Roxburgh, who had been responsible for the refurbishment of nearby Craigie Hall. Originally intended to form a service office complex, the project fell into financial difficulties but was completed through a partnership between Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow School of Art. The School maintains a postgraduate study centre within the house.

The House for an Art Lover is open to the public and includes a computer-based interpretation suite to provide broader information on the house and its designers. The house is also a popular venue for corporate events, meetings and weddings.


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