The National Glass Centre’s 17-million glass building is expected to close due to structural damage, including roof leaks, corrosion and broken glazing, according to the Guardian.
Opened in 1998, Sunderland’s National Glass Centre is home to the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art as well as a working glass factory. The Centre also hosts workshops for designer glass production, as well as the glass and ceramics programmes of the University of Sunderland, which has owned the Centre Since 2010.
Three preservation options were considered by GSSArchitecture to prevent further corrosion and a ‘partial collapse’ of the building framework, with estimated costs ranging from GBP£2.5 million to GBP£72.3 million. Yet due to the high costs of the more expensive refurbishment option, the University is now exploring a plan for relocation, which is expected to take place within three years. Until then, the interior space of the National Glass Centre will continue to operate.
