Scotland’s architectural highlights
From Brutalist to Gothic, Art Deco to Modernist; Scotland’s architectural highlights come under the spotlight this year, as part of the Festival of Architecture 2016. Here we cherry pick three of our favourite buildings and reveal how you can have your say on the country’s best building of the century…
Scotstyle was set up as a celebration of not only one hundred years of Scottish architecture but also the centenary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS); the body set up promote architecture in Scotland. Starting with 100 buildings from 1916-2016, voted for by the public, a shortlist of 10 was revealed and you can vote for a favourite at www.foa2016.com.
RIAS CEO and co-author of the accompanying Scotstyle book, Neil Baxter told us more. “This shortlist of 10 represents work from a century of fantastic richness and quality where technological change has been allied to great social change to create buildings which truly belong to the public of Scotland. This list is not merely a Scottish top 10, virtually every building on it should be ranked in European terms. Good buildings should serve their users well, be durable and of high quality materials and not only look good but give all those who visit or inhabit them a positive and enjoyable experience. It’s not easy to do but Scottish architects have been achieving just that for centuries. Every single building in our top 100 delivers all these prerequisites of great buildings.”
Check out i-on’s picks from the shortlist…
1930: India Tyre and Rubber Factory, Greenock Road, Inchinnan
Architects: Wallis, Gilbert and Partners
Famous for their work on the West London Hoover Building, the firm behind this Inchinnan landmark garnered a reputation for imposing Art Deco creations and the India Tyre Factory is no different. Once used to manufacture and house airships, it was in a near derelict state by the eighties but the building was saved and underwent an award winning redevelopment.
Image: Keith Hunter
1950: Hermit’s Castle, Achmelvich, Loch Inver, Sutherland
Architect: David Scott
Constructed from poured concrete, this unusual structure appears to grow from the rock. Containing just one room with a bed platform and fireplace, this one-man castle was created by a young architect called David Scott over a summer in the 1950s. Allegedly using its construction to escape the pressures of family life; legend has it that the man spent just one night in the structure, never to return.
Image: Barnabas Calder
2004: The Scottish Parliament, Canongate, Edinburgh
Architects: EMBT / RMJM
It’s taken a while, but the once Marmite building has, over time, softened even the staunchest detractors (understandably aggrieved at the parliament’s cost overrun from £40m to a final cost of £414m). With age, as it’s bedded into the volcanic landscape of Arthur’s seat, has become one of the country’s proudest icons.
Image: Keith Hunter
The winner will be announced next month at the Festival of Architecture Finale on 18 November 2016 in Dundee.
Main image: The Scottish Parliament, Keith Hunter