Scottish Parliament Building, Architect, Photo, Design, Enric Miralles, Images

Scottish Parliament Building : Architecture Information

Holyrood Development, Scotland : RMJM + EMBT : Architecture Information

20 + 19 Jan 2012 ; 17+16+14 Dec 2011 Scottish Parliament Entry Security entrance to be built at the Scottish Parliament. image by architects Planning approval gained. Planning application by Lee Boyd at following link - 3 days left to comment: Planning Submission - external link. 14 Dec Adrian Welch, formerly a Project Architect on the Scottish Parliament said: "There have been a whole series of changes to the frontage of the Parliament since 9/11, whilst still under construction, and indeed since it was completed. The proliferation of bollards is both risory and saddening. The original concept (pre 9/11) to open up the glazed ground level facade in this area for visitors was generous of spirit and in keeping with Miralles' vision of a parliament rooted in the land and strongly connected to its people. At each step in this 'security arms race' we see the connection between parliament and people wane. Back in the 70s football terraces started to gain fences and the fences grew taller each year until fans were corralled like prisoners behind intimidating towers of mesh. That all came to an end with the tragedy of Hillsborough. But afterwards the fences came down and for the better. A new system emerged which has with a few pitch invasion blemishes worked very well and has led to a better connection of people and the game. This goes to show what can be done if systems are reworked to allow better connection. All around the world we are fortress building at present yet are we any more secure? Rather than discuss the architectural merits of this proposed entrance I would ask our government, 'through trust can we not connect better with the people?'" Professor Alan Dunlop told e-architect: "There seems to be a lack of drawing information contained within the planning documentation which is needed to make a proper judgement on the merits of the proposal or otherwise. The visual shows very little of significance and the plans and elevations seem to be cut too short, you must see the whole sweep of the front elevation and plan to appreciate how the new addition fits in or does not. From the information posted the new approach looks apologetic. The design is understandable perhaps in plan but results in something more like the entrance to a local council office that the People's Parliament. Having said that the architects had a difficult job, it would not be easy adding to the work of such an original architect. The whole client brief though appears suspect and only seems to highlight the flaws in the Miralles design. The public entrance to the original building was always disappointing and a trial to negotiate, I don't know how this will make it any easier, frankly." Scottish Parliament : Architecture Limited public access to the building building image © Keith Hunter from RMJM ; MSP Foyer View © Adrian Welch Scottish Parliament Building - Tours + Background on dates / opening times Scottish Parliament Security Competition Scottish Parliament Competition Scottish Parliament Building Architect : Enric Miralles - EMBT/RMJM Location : east end of Royal Mile, Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland Date built : 2004 Key award : Stirling Prize + Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture, 2005 Style: contemporary architecture, mixing Catalan + local influences Edinburgh Architecture Walking Tours - include a visit to the building & description of the exterior: Contact Isabelle Lomholt on 01620 825722 / 07952 149814 images © Keith Hunter from RMJM Scottish Parliament Architecture - Tours Visit and try to understand the legacy of late architect Enric Miralles - check with the Scottish Parliament: Contact on 0131 348 5200 or 0800 092 7600 Debating Chamber access depends on parliamentary business Spanish Architect - Building Information & Books: Scottish Parliament Architect - Enric Miralles Scottish Parliament Building Tours: scroll towards base of page for details Scottish Parliament - Photos photograph © Jason Baxter New Scottish Parliament - Devolution Architecture Competition announced by Scottish Office in 1998: 12 architect teams shortlisted, then narrowed down to 5 groups of Scottish + foreign architect teams. Enric Miralles + RMJM Architects won and by 1999 the Assembly Building was on site in Holyrood. Debating Chamber with MSP Desks, Well looking south Outline Controversial Issues such as choice of site, timing, architect (non-scottish), followed by escalating costs (from an unrealistic benchmark), left the design of the Scottish Parliament Building often neglected in the Press. Sir David Steel, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament claimed "This building is the most important to be built in Scotland for 300 years": although this no doubt refers back to the Act of Union in 1707, the point has architectural validity too. Tragedy Architect Enric Miralles died in 2000 (aged 45) a few months after construction on the Scottish Parliament Building commenced. Donald Dewar also died in 2000: he was Secretary of State for Scotland, and then First Minister in the Scottish Parliament, selected the Holyrood site and also Enric Miralles as principal architect for this major building project. Scottish Parliament Buildings The New Scottish Parliament building is divided as follows: Holyrood site plan MSP Building - East of site Queensberry House - North of site, refurbishment Assembly Buildings - East of site The Scottish Parliament Assembly Buildings Canongate Building - the cantilevered building onto the Royal Mile MSP Foyer (Garden Lobby) - between the latter, the Towers & Queensberry House Towers - four buildings, contain Committee rooms, offices, etc. Debating Chamber - incl. exhibition spaces, cafeteria, etc. Press Tower - just north of latter, housing studios photograph from the east ; MSP Block south facade, MSP east stair to right, pictures © Adrian Welch Design Influences Influences for the Scottish Parliament architecture reported include upturned boats at Holy Island, flower paintings & Glasgow School of Art by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Architect influences are noted by Gillespie as Aalto, Kahn, Pietila, Coderch, Lapena & Torres, Viaplana & Pinon. MSP Foyer: image by Keith Hunter Aug 2004 from EMBT/RMJM Architect Louis Kahn was a strong influence on architect Enric Miralles, the Kimbell Museum building’s vaults specifically for the three tapering vaults of the Debating Chamber ground floor. Scottish Parliament influence - Lindisfarne boat...just over the border into England Holy Island Boat - influence: photo © Adrian Welch 2006 Building Opening The First Debate was on 7 Sep 2004 Official Opening of the building by HM Queen took place 9 Oct 2004 Relevant Links Scottish Parliament Architecture : Building Tours Scottish Parliament Building : Architecture Competition Background Scottish Parliament Context : Edinburgh Old Town Buildings Scottish Parliament Competition : Leith Building Proposal Forrmer Scottish Parliament : New College building, Old Town, Edinburgh: Former Temporary Home at the Mound, image © Adrian Welch Architecture Book by Enric Miralles 'Works and Projects, 1975-1995' author Enric Miralles, architect edited by Juanjo Lahuerta / Benedetta Tagliabue Miralles 272 pp 400 illustrations, 100 in color Enric Miralles Architecture The Scottish Parliament Building can be viewed from the Canongate (Royal Mile), Horse Guards and Holyrood Road, Edinburgh Old Town. Edinburgh Architecture Tours can include a visit around the building's exterior This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 01620 825722 for details Scottish Parliament Architecture : Tour inside the building 0131 348 5200 Scottish Parliament Building : Reviews Holyrood Debating Chamber ; MSP Foyer 'leaf' ; Tower 2 ; L4 Towers - Roofs Scottish Parliament Guided Tours : some parts of the building such as under the Debating Chamber - Foyer, Shop, Cafeteria - are accessible for free without booking: check with the Scottish Parliament for dates & opening times New Scottish Parliament Building - Book: Enric Miralles Architect Archived images of the Scottish Parliament available upon request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Scottish Architecture : best buildings in Scotland of the last three decades Building Awards Scottish Parliament : Best Building in Scotland winner in 2005 Scottish Parliament : Scottish Design Awards 2005 - Best Publicly Funded Building in Scotland + Architecture Grand Prix Scottish Parliament Award : Civic Trust Awards 2006 Scotland winner Scottish Parliament Building : Edinburgh Architectural Association Centenary Medal Another Building designed by RMJM Architects in Edinburgh Scottish Executive Building, Leith Scottish Parliament Architects - RMJM Scotland Old Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh Old Town - historic architecture

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