Burning Issue

Published on Monday 8 December 2008 21:08

Is Scottish Parliament at Holyrood one of ugliest buildings in world?

Yes

PETER WILSON

Architect and director of business development at Napier University's Centre for Timber Engineering

THE final design of the Scottish Parliament building is always likely to be the subject of debate, with many in the architectural profession standing hand in hand with the politicians responsible for its construction on one side, a with a very large section of the general public ranged on the other.

The difference in opinion lies not just with the fading memory of the huge cost and timescale over-runs, but with a procurement process that was opaque and, at times, downright secretive, an issue that ultimately prevented the mainstream of the population having any effective "buy-in" to the project or even any clear idea of what its design was supposed to represent. This may seem of little relevance now, but in fact it lies at the heart of public perceptions of modern architecture and whether or not contemporary buildings are considered attractive or not.

It's easy to forget now, but the building was conceived before the parliament was voted into existence. As a consequence, the apparent ingenuity of its initial design quickly metamorphosed through a series of changes to the building's brief to produce a steroidal transformation that can only really be "read" from the top of Salisbury Crags. Aspects of the building that were intended to represent some of the geological aspects of its location were conjoined with security issues to produce some spectacularly unattractive elements – the grim concrete wall facing on to the Canongate being a very obvious example. Beauty is said to lie in the eye of the beholder and perhaps, in time, people will become used to the parliament and even to like it. But an architectural beauty it is not.

No

NEIL BAXTER

Secretary and treasurer of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

LIKE many people, I had several issues with the building in the early days, but I was just so impressed with the end results. The parliament is an exceptionally individual and unique building that is a proud monument for the Scottish people.

Of course, there were complaints about the cost, but to make a revolutionary project, as with the Glasgow School of Art, you have to spend a certain amount of money. Also, if you consider the requirements that this building addresses, such as safety and security, as well as governing the nation and tourism, then it accomplishes this very well. This is a very welcoming, friendly building, and every day, I see tourists and Edinburgh residents taking photos of it. Its characteristics help make it a public building and people marvel at its design.

As a piece of architecture, it is utterly unique. No matter from where you look at it, whether from the street outside, across the road, up close or from Arthur's Seat, it looks completely different. It is also a very clever building in that it is a modern structure but also plays on historic angles, such as the incorporated tenement on the Canongate and Queensberry House. If you see the parliament from the Crags, it actually fits into the landscape. It's not a monolithic structure but instead fits into the tapestry of Edinburgh's medieval weave.

Artists from home and abroad have also greatly influenced this building; its structure raises the use of polished concrete to a whole new level. The Scottish Parliament is a unique, world-class building, and it indicates just how fascinating the very best contemporary architecture can be.