The Arts and Crafts styled tenement utilised current construction techniques: a concrete floor at first floor level separating commercial from residential and extensive use of steelwork to enable architectural freedom in the design of the front façade. The building builds on the practice’s previous classical design ethos but with flourishes of continental Art Nouveau notably in its top floor arched openings and decorative ironwork to rear stair and oriel balcony.

The building sits in the heart of the original Gorbals Main Street and, when originally proposed, between buildings of lower height and value. Salmon anticipated the demolition of the two-storey block to the north, wrapping the plan around an original turnpike stair but setting back the building line to match that of the more recent public baths and creating a tower over the bank entrance.

These drawings suggested the tower was topped by a bell-shaped slate roof with dormer, lantern and finial but there were no photographs of the tower and there was speculation that it might not have been built. The condition of the building meant that investigations were not possible in advance however access to roof did uncover raggle lines that suggested its former existence. Salmon’s delicately pencilled finial detail was purely speculative and was developed with the blacksmith to provide a crafted arrangement based on a flax plant.

Similar collaborations with craftsmen can be seen on the lead hopper to front elevation. This supplementary feature was added to provide emergency fabric protection, an overflow facility to a single outlet from the front roof. The principal lead-worker cast the box complete with dates and a lead salmon in homage to the architect, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Wee Troot’.

The incorporation of new kitchens and built-in wardrobes was planned within central areas overlaid by lowered ceilings that echoed the former bed recesses while enclosing the full range of modern services. These services were gathered in a new riser space, accessed from concealed doors from each landing to exit in grouped terminals on the rear roof slope.

The biggest challenge was in the squaring of two competing demands: the incorporation of new and fully serviced modern flats (for mid-market young professional tenants) while remaining faithful to the restoration of a building of one of Glasgow’s most important architects, from the city’s culturally, most important period.

Salmon’s own importance is celebrated by a sculptural framework across the north gable, a geometric pattern conceived by local Gorbals Arts Project team that is based on Salmon’s own design for the buildings metal balustrade. Utilising 8mm steel panels that heralds the city’s shipbuilding past, this cor-ten tower will oversee a new linear park onto which will open a new restaurant/bar planned within the former bank premises. It is hoped that the bar’s patrons will be able to appreciate the genius of one of the lesser known exponents of the Glasgow Style enshrined within this cornerstone to the new Laurieston.