The Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh

[Shinkicker]

A modern building that divides opinion. I wasn't sure about it at all until I got the guided tour and then did more of my own research. I think it can truly be called a masterpiece of modern architecture.

But it's a hard sell for many others I know

http://shinkicker.hubpages.com/hub/M...ish-Parliament

[bestbud]

A very good and imformative piece.

It is a very frustrating (series of) building(s). There is so, so much that I love about the place. The architecture, the engineering, the level of detail, the quality of materials used are absolutely fantastic. But, I just get the feeling that the main enterance is slightly uninspiring, there's something missing. It is the least pleasing of all the elevations. On the other hand it is quite satisfying that the place isn't imposing and "bling", I very muh agree with the quote, "grandly figurative gesture, yet without a hint of pomp and circumstance".

Unless people visit and tour the place, the only images they will regularly see are the chamber, the steps and the main entrance which makes the price tag look astronomical. They won't fully understand the scale of the place and the success in squeezing so much into a fairly tight site.

As for the cost, I am very much of the opinion that "value for money" was achieved, albeit the process went very wrong. I've done a fair bit of research on this subject.

Like I said, a very good read, but it certainly will be "a hard sell" for some people. Good to see the place get a well deserved positive review. Once the price pain is eased by time I think such reviews will become more common.

Thanks.

[djmaxliving]

Not the best title for this thread,The Scottish Parliament - Pàrlamaid na h-Alba sounds better.

I am rather fond of this building, very modern but will age well and suits it's location. But sadly most people see this building as a over expensive waste of money. They would have liked to have seen something more traditional or plain.

New Security Entrance Hall

Nearly five years after the Glasgow Airport terrorist attack, in which a bomb laden vehicle was rammed into the terminal building, the managers of the Scottish Parliament building have been given planning permission for a new security hall.

But the plans have come under severe criticism from Scottish politicians.

The hall is designed to extend the security perimeter beyond the immediate building. At an estimated cost of more than £1m, it is designed to protect the more than 400,000 visitors and 1000 daily passholders as well as the infrastructure of the Parliament building.

The building was opened in 2004 and cost £414m to construct, far in excess of the initial £40m cost estimate.

Other recommendations following the Glasgow Airport attack have already been implemented – at a cost of around £2m – including the addition of turnstiles at the Queensberry House and Canongate entrances, a new vehicle entry system and bollards and other streetscape measures designed to keep vehicles away from the building.

The management of the Parliament building, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), says the new security hall would complete the extension of the security perimeter.

Strengthening the existing entrance was not considered a viable option by the SPCB because it would allow potential threats to get too close to the building.

The new hall, incorporating weapons detection technology and blast mitigation materials, will be linked to the existing building via a short walkway.

The new layout will allow security measures to be adapted and adjusted to suit the threat level but crucially, according to the SCPB, will not subject visitors and staff “to any discernible difference in the levels of security screening during normal security states”.

And it’s necessary to protect visitors and staff at the building and to meet the SPCB’s duty of care to the public.

The new hall has been criticised by Scottish politicians of various parties. Former Scottish Parliament presiding officer Lord Steel (Lib Dems) said the plan was “more than bonkers”.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie accused the SPCB of creating a war on terror “myth” to “separate politicians from the people”.

He said Holyrood had been designed post 9/11 and therefore incorporated all the necessary security measures. “This proposal, like the absurd bollards already in place down the Royal Mile, does nothing to protect the public – it’s part of a long-standing ‘war on terror’ myth designed to separate politicians from the people they represent and to build a sense of fear and exclusion around public spaces.”

Having obtained planning permission, the SPCB is seeking expressions of interest from building contractors. A final decision to proceed with the project will not be taken until after the tendering process is complete and the SCPB is satisfied with the costs and timetable.

http://www.securitynewsdesk.com/2012...me-under-fire/

[Quirinalian]

I can't see the new security entrance happening.

The best thing about the building, so far as I'm concerned, is the beautiful views of the Salisbury Crags. Everything inside is relatively mediocre. Queensberry House had every historic detail ripped out of the interior and replaced with light wood floors and plain white walls.

My favourite part in terms of building (if we discount the views) is probably the suspended corridor up to the chamber which leads to the imitation black-and-white corridor, inspired by the old Assembly Building.

[CriticalState]

Heheh nobody liked the Eiffel tower when it was built.

PS: How come they replaced the interior of Queensberry House? Is it possible to do that in a A-listed building?

[bestbud]

Originally Posted by Quirinalian

Everything inside is relatively mediocre.

I completely and utterly disagree with that comment. The standard of design, standard of materials and standard of finish is as good as you'll see anywhere in the world. It may not be to your liking (there are bits I'm not overly keen on) but I think to call it mediocre is completely unfair.

[Shinkicker]

I would agree with bestbud that the entrance could have been more inspiring. In fact they had put up an extra sign to let people know where the main door was. Too many folk were walking past it

[R.K.Teck]

The roof design pretty interesting, in fact it looks great on Google maps but the grey walls are pretty drab - From the street it doesn't look like a £500m building.

[Butterfield]

I walked past the Scottish Parliament last summer and found it pretty uninspiring. The entrance onto the road made it feel like any modern town hall sort of building - I was expecting something a bit more grand or even controversial - I even had to walk up close to it to make sure I was actually looking at the Scottish Parliament building.

Naturally, I thought the location of it was lovely though.

[R.K.Teck]

From above:

[belle]

I can't see the new security entrance happening.

Why not? Were Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body just having a laugh putting in a planning application? I wish they were but they've also managed to surround the building in crap bollards on the advice of "security".

[Shinkicker]

I must admit that it wasn't until I was actually inside that I began to appreciate the building. But also the whole concept from Miralles isn't obviously apparent on the outside. Once you know more about the design, the construction, the materials and the symbolism it takes on a different complexion I believe.

[Ultima]

Originally Posted by Quirinalian

Everything inside is relatively mediocre.

Is there a modern building outside of central London that even compares to it? What a baffling comment.

[DBadger]

From the outside it looks disappointingly like every cheapy modern Halls of Residence ever built. It goes nowhere towards complimenting the surrounding buildings and wastes so much space with it's footprint. Sorry but personally I think it looks horrible.

The interior is pretty good but could really use some colour, the debating chamber is just wood, wood and more wood.

[Leki]

Halls of residence? It looks like none I have ever seen! You must be referring to the MSP block, but still, the Parliament can be called a lot of things but cheap isn't is one of them.


(Photo credit)

I know the design divides opinion but I personally love it. It was always going to be difficult to design a 'landmark' building on that site, but they've certainly pulled off something unique, especially on the inside...


(Photo credit)

[R.K.Teck]

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_buildi...ent_011378.jpg


http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/18/...1_bb0e8f41.jpg


http://www.oube.co.uk/images/uploads...s/lrg/56_2.jpg


http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...-Edinburgh.jpg


http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co....iament_kh2.jpg


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4t5-wAD7cD...+the+Crags.jpg


http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/1_2/1_2_1l.JPG

Very interesting building, I like it more and more each time I see it. The view from the edge of the pond it looks it's best, those two photos have won me over.

[Shinkicker]

Great photos R.K. Tek, really does justice to the Parliament. Change on the way at the front though as they're now building the £6.5 million security checkpoint extension outside the main entrance.

[cosmictanya]

i quite like it, and i didn't expect the interior to be so beautiful.

but what is the significance of those gun shaped additions to the outside window surrounds? it would look so much more appealing if those were taken down.

and again - no flowers - blue is the scottish colour - why not lots of blue rhododendron bushes instead of so much bare grass. you can see in one shot what could be actual flowerbeds - one on the lawn definitely is, and then they thought, no let's go for more grass instead.

[Kenspeckle]

Originally Posted by cosmictanya

i quite like it, and i didn't expect the interior to be so beautiful.

but what is the significance of those gun shaped additions to the outside window surrounds? it would look so much more appealing if those were taken down.

and again - no flowers - blue is the scottish colour - why not lots of blue rhododendron bushes instead of so much bare grass. you can see in one shot what could be actual flowerbeds - one on the lawn definitely is, and then they thought, no let's go for more grass instead.

I believe the panels are based on the outline of Henry Raeburn's "The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch".



I quite like them myself but I can see that they're not to everyone's tastes and I've heard the gun comment a few times.

As far as landscaping goes, there are flowers and flowering shrubs (all native species) in the long raised borders at the right time of year. No blue ones though!

[cosmictanya]

Originally Posted by Kenspeckle

I believe the panels are based on the outline of Henry Raeburn's "The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch".

I quite like them myself but I can see that they're not to everyone's tastes and I've heard the gun comment a few times.

As far as landscaping goes, there are flowers and flowering shrubs (all native species) in the long raised borders at the right time of year. No blue ones though!

that's interesting, i would never have got the reference. after thinking long and hard over what on earth they were meant to be, i concluded they were meant to bring to mind guns guarding the windows. but then i generally hate extra bits of cladding.

the native species thing - i can see the cuteness of the idea behind it, although if you're into symbolism, it may as well be construed the other way as being slightly exclusionary. time to embrace immigration & jazz it up with some more colourful imports!