Joyful Spaces: The Mackintosh Building – Kate Mooney, Founder and Principal, OCCA
Outside our homes, the commercial spaces we inhabit daily should do more than just function – they should enrich our lives and spark joy. Our new Joyful Spaces series will form a collection of inspiring spaces, chosen by designers and professionals who share their personal connections to the places that brighten their days.
Each article in this series highlights a personally significant commercial space, exploring its history, design, and emotional resonance through the eyes of the contributor. By uncovering the stories behind these spaces, we hope to celebrate the environments that uplift and inspire us.
To launch the series, we are delighted to share the first Joyful Space, chosen by Kate Mooney, Founder and Principal of OCCA. In her own words, Kate reflects on the enduring beauty and inspiration of The Mackintosh Building—a space that has profoundly shaped her creativity and professional journey.
The Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art
“Stepping into the Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art, as a first-year architecture student, was a moment of awe – like walking into a sacred space where every detail spoke of creativity and craftsmanship. It was overwhelming in the best possible way, from the interplay of light and shadow to the meticulous detailing and sense of history woven into every surface
Once a place of joy and inspiration, it has endured immense tragedy following the devastating fires of 2014 and 2018. Yet, even in its current state, it remains a powerful symbol of resilience and hope.
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scotland’s renowned Art Nouveau architect, the building was completed in two phases between 1897 and 1909. It stood as one of a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture and design. For decades, it was the beating heart of Scotland’s creative education; a sanctuary where generations of artists and designers honed their craft, and a defining emblem of Glasgow’s cultural identity.
The Mackintosh Building, June 2023
The destruction caused by the fires was heart-breaking, erasing irreplaceable interiors and much of the structure. But the Mackintosh Building is more than bricks and mortar – it is an idea, a legacy that cannot be lost. One day, when its faithful restoration is complete, new generations of students will once again walk its halls, feeling the same sense of wonder and possibility that so many before them have known.
For me, the Mac was a magical, inspirational space of discovery and innovation. I was fortunate enough to study within its walls but, while studying, I also became a part-time tour guide, sharing this wonderful space and its stories with tourists and visitors from around the world.
The Mackintosh Building, Loggia Corridor, 2002
Walking through the iconic Library, the studios, the famous Hen Run, the lecture theatre – even the staircases – I was constantly reminded of the profound joy that great design can bring. The building functioned not just as an educational institution but as a living museum, an immersive experience in architecture and design that had no parallel.
Mackintosh’s meticulous attention to detail, his ability to integrate every aspect of a building’s exterior and interior into a singular, cohesive vision, continues to inspire my own work. His mastery of space, circulation, light, rhythm, pattern and materiality taught me that great design is not merely functional – it is emotional. Buildings are not just structures; they are stories, experiences and catalysts for inspiration. The Mackintosh Building opened my eyes to the power of architecture to shape emotions and create a deep and lasting connection with its occupants.
The Mackintosh Building, Loggia Corridor, 2023
The Mackintosh Building was my creative home during one of the most formative periods of my life. It shaped the way I thought about design, space and legacy. Its loss is painful, yet its influence endures. It remains a beacon of creativity, a reminder of the transformative power of architecture and design, and a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating our creative heritage.
Location: Glasgow
Architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Construction: 1897–1899 and 1907–1909
Size: 9,000sq/m
Kate Mooney, Founder and Principal of OCCA
Kate Mooney established OCCA in 2003 as a small, architectural and interior design consultancy with just four designers working on their first major project, the IHG Crowne Plaza hotel in London Docklands.
Leveraging her rich background in hotel design, operations and procurement, Kate’s ambition was to develop a team of multi-disciplinary creatives – interior designers, procurement specialists and branding experts – with a passion for hotel design and innovation. Her vision was to build a contemporary design studio and FF&E Procurement firm specialising in hotels and hospitality, to deliver transformative projects that positively impacted clients and their guests, families and firms.
With Kate’s leadership OCCA has become is a global studio that has collaborated with more than 30 prestigious hotel brands across the six major global hotel groups – and completed more than 400 projects worldwide.