George Square revamp: Six designs on display

Designs by six short-listed companies taking part in the international competition to redevelop George Square in Glasgow have gone on public display.

The designs, on show at The Lighthouse, will be considered by a judging panel and the winner announced on 18 January.

Four British, one US and one French firm were selected from a total of 35 companies who expressed an interest in the £15m project.

The winner will work with the council on the final design for the square.

Work should begin later this year with phase one complete before the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The four British firms on the shortlist are Burns and Nice, Gustafson Porter, JM Architects and John McAslan and Partners.

They are joined by American firm James Corner Field Operations and Agence Ter from France.

The judging panel comprises of David Mackay, MBM Architects Barcelona and Professor Andy McMillan, former head of Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art.

'High calibre'

They are joined by David Harding, former head of Environmental Art, Glasgow School of Art, Geoff Ellis, director of DF Concerts and Cllr Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council.

The technical advisor of the panel is Neil Baxter, secretary and treasurer, The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

Cllr Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The calibre of the six designs is very high and I'm sure whichever design team is chosen, Glaswegians will have a George Square to be proud of again.

"Each bidder has a wealth of international experience and all six have delivered a number of eye-catching civic spaces acclaimed by their peers and public alike.

"This redevelopment is a hugely exciting moment in the growth of the city as Glasgow strives to forge ahead and meet its future challenges."

He added: "It is absolutely essential we choose the right team to create a new George Square - a George Square fit for the 21st Century.

"I look forward to working closely with the winning design team to develop their design and give the people and businesses of Glasgow the George Square they deserve."

Funding of up to £5m will be made available to complete phase one of the revamp before the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The additional £10m will come from a wider retail-led project to regenerate the area around the square, known as the Buchanan Quarter.