Simpson & Brown Architects has been appointed as lead consultants to a £7m restoration project in Glasgow.

The Edinburgh-based practice will be the project lead on the restoration of Glasgow's Willow Tea Rooms and the creation of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh visitor centre.

Celia Sinclair, Founder and Chair of The Willow Tea Rooms Trust, said: "We know it is a very challenging project for any architectural firm but we were tremendously impressed by Simpson & Brown's conservation expertise and by the ideas they put forward for the new Mackintosh centre. They will combine the old with the new, perfectly contrasting modern and impressive design with the original splendour of the only remaining Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed tea rooms."


Simpson & Brown has assembled a team of architectural conservation and design specialists from companies including Studioarc, Rybka, David Narro Associates, Alliance CDM, Building Learning and People Friendly Design.

John Sanders, Partner and Heritage Specialist at Simpson & Brown, said: "The complexity of the project required that we bring together a team of experts in their fields to ensure every detail is taken care of and we've selected people we respect and admire to work with us."

The cost of the project is estimated at £7m, with £1m required to repair and make The Willow Team Rooms building fully wind and watertight.

(LM)