| Out of the Blue,
Buildings, Edinburgh The Drill Hall, Leith |
| Leith Architecture |
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The Drill Hall, Edinburgh : Scottish Design Awards 2007 - Regeneration Shortlist CIAO: City Architecture Office Ciao Architects ![]() CiAO has won an invited competition from a shortlist of 5 practices, to design a major Creative Arts & Education Centre in Leith, for Out of The Blue Trust. The site is within a listed, former TA drill hall on Dalmeny Street. The proposals include flexible studio accommodation, performance & exhibition spaces, creche, cafe & a sculpture court. The design is inspired by monastic & souk patterns. Phase 1 is 500K and subject to Arts lottery funding. A proposed landscaped community park links to the adjacent building. 'It will fulfill vital cultural needs for the city'. 25.02.04 Doors Open Day PR Out of the Blue and The Drill Hall will be taking part in this year's Doors Open Days for the first time Along with many other interesting buildings in Edinburgh which are not normally open to the public, The Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street, just off Leith Walk, will be open this Saturday. This is the first time that Out of the Blue is participating in Doors Open Day and presents an opportunity for lovers of architecture, local people and potential future users to sneak a look at The Drill Hall. There will be guided tours around the enormous building and some of the artists and organisations who use the building already will welcome visitors into their studios and offices. ![]() Drill Hall Leith - no larger image provided Out of the Blue is a charity and grateful to Lorne Community Council who is supporting the Doors Open Day at The Drill Hall. Drill Hall Leith - PR Sep 2004 The Drill Hall is significant historically in its connection to the worst disaster to befall the community of Leith. On 22 May 1915 a south-bound troop train crashed into a stationary local train outside the signalbox at Quintinhill, near Gretna, and was then hit by a north-bound express. 227 passengers were killed, and 246 injured. 485 officers of the 7th battalion of the Royal Scots, on their way to Gallipoli, were on the train, 214 of whom were killed. Relatives of the soliders congregated outside the drill hall seeking news, and eventually a list of the dead was read out from a window, before being posted up outside. By Sunday the bodies had been transported from Gretna to Leith Central Station, and were taken to the drill hall then functioning as a temporary mortuary. Out of the Blue is about providing opportunities for artists and the wider public to meet, share and learn. A social justice agenda lies at the core of their work and they have established a reputation as a dynamic and innovative community and arts development organisation. Having secured the Drill Hall, a resource rich with potential, Out of the Blue's mission now is to continue to transform the building from an exclusive military site into an inclusive participatory arts centre, for the benefit of the people of Leith and Edinburgh, providing space for studios, workshops, projects, education and training classes, and other informal and communal uses. Images provided above:- Original architect's drawing of Dalmeny Street elevation Drill Hall interior - nearly the size of a football pitch Contact: Harald Tobermann, Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust, The Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny St, Edinburgh. 0131 555 7101 ![]() Drill Hall: image provided by Out of the Blue This year's first time participation of Out of the Blue in Edinburgh's Doors Open Day was a great success. More than 70 people used the opportunity to find out about the The Drill Hall and its history. Lovers of architecture, local people and potential future users enjoyed guided tours around the enormous building and met some of the artists and organisations who already use the building. Out of the Blue is a charity and grateful to Lorne Community Council who supported the Doors Open Day at The Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh. Leith History Architecture Books Edinburgh Architecture Tours Edinburgh : back to index Drill Hall Edinburgh : Ciao Architects |