William Leiper

William Leiper built the main building in 1888, modelling it on the Doges' Palace in Venice (only he made it better!). The richly decorated multi-coloured brick façade is a well-known landmark in Glasgow, topped by a statue of Thenew – a local saint.

Disaster

Unfortunately the main façade collapsed in 1892, with over 50 people killed, and had to be rebuilt. The building was used as a carpet factory by Templeton's and converted into offices around 1982.

We have worked here since 1994, originally in an extension in Art Deco style, built in 1936 by George Boswell – who went on to form Boswell, Mitchell and Johnson Architects. This also uses multi-coloured brickwork and, despite being an entirely different style, fits in very well.

Larger studios

We moved in 2004 to much larger studios - 1500 square feet - in the White Studios on the north side of the complex. We have great views over Glasgow Green along with a meeting room, library, archives and a kitchen. We have a very convenient brewery downstairs.

Empire Exhibition

At the time Boswell's extension was being built, Glasgow was hosting the Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park. By coincidence, John Gilbert's mother, Kate Hendry, was serving tea at Wendy's pavilion inside the exhibition and knew the two Templeton sons quite well, even to the extent of having to hide one of them in a laundry basket!