Keppie wins contract to design £333m AECC

Architectural practice Keppie Design has been appointed to design the new £333 million Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC).

Artists impressions of the proposed Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Aberdeen City Council recently approved plans to relocate the centre next to the Rowett Institute at Bucksburn and redevelop the existing Bridge of Don site.

The project is a joint venture between the council and developer Henry Boot. Work is expected to start by the mid-2016, with completion due in late 2018. The AECC will form part of the wider development of an area south of Aberdeen airport which includes three hotels, an energy centre and 60,000 square metres of office space. Keppie has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, Belfast and Manchester. Director Richard MacDonald said: “I look forward to realising the vision of creating a world class facility for Aberdeen.”

Nick Harris, Boot’s Scottish director, added: “It’s vital creativity and sustainability are key drivers so the end product will leave a lasting legacy.”