As part of this year’s Festival of Architecture and the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, the nation is being asked to vote for their favourite building from the past 100 years.
The list includes two Glasgow banks, the Bon Accord Baths in Aberdeen and Tongland Power Station in Kirkcudbright. Also on the list are a wee concrete bothy in Sutherland (known, ironically, as the Hermit’s Castle) and a fashion designer’s studio near Galashiels as well as buildings on Bute, Skye, Tiree and Orkney. More prominent architectural gems include the arches at the City Chambers in Glasgow, the Scottish Parliament and Stirling University.
The shortlist of buildings (ten from each decade 1916 – 2015) is on the Festival website and voting is open now. Scotland’s favourite building will be announced at the Festival’s Finale event in November.
There is a touring exhibition by the same name and an accompanying book (Scotstyle: 100 Years of Scottish Architecture) available, which gives some fascinating insights into architectural trends over the past 100 years alongside the story behind some of Scotland’s most beloved buildings. The book also celebrates the centenary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) who are curating and managing the Festival of Architecture.
The nationwide touring exhibition will premiere at the Falkirk Wheel then visit venues across the length and breadth of Scotland at venues including; St. Conan’s Kirk on Loch Awe, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, New Lanark Heritage Centre and the Pier Arts Centre in Orkney, with a debate and book signing at the Scottish Parliament during the Festival of Politics in August.
The list was selected from more than 400 nominations put forward by members of the public, with a group of architects, critics and architectural historians whittling it down to 100 properties.
The Festival of Architecture celebrates Scotland’s fantastic built environment and up and coming events include:
The Ideal Hut Show:
Standard garden sheds which have been transformed by leading architects and designers (Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens until 30 May, Glasgow Botanic Gardens 3 – 26 June)
Out of Their Heads:
Peer inside the minds of Scotland’s greatest ever architects, by admiring their portraits and encountering recreations of their most iconic designs. (National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh 11 June 2016 – 5 February 2017)
Go to: www.foa2016.com to keep up to date with the hundreds of events taking place across Scotland