Dundee V&A proposals: Jute, jam and journalism joined by jaw-dropping design

SIX of the best architects in the world have unveiled their visions to create a new landmark building and international attraction for Dundee.

• Asymmetric angle: Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, based in Vienna, were formed 15 years ago. Their international projects include the new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, the forthcoming building of the Filmmuseum in Amsterdam and the Darat King Abdullah II Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan.

The designers from America, Norway, Japan, Austria and Scotland have been short-listed for the prestigious contract to create the iconic V&A at Dundee, an outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which will dominate the city waterfront.

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The six designs and scale models of the proposed building, planned for a promontory on the River Tay, will be go on show to the public tomorrow at an exhibition which runs until 4 November.

• In pictures: The stunning designs proposed for V&A

The 47 million international centre for design will be built close to Discovery Point and is scheduled to open in 2014. It will house major touring exhibitions from the V&A as well as from other international museums and galleries, attracting an additional 500,000 visitors a year to the city.

The six short-listed companies - Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, Kengo Kuma & Associates, REX, Snhetta, Steven Holl Architects and Sutherland Hussey Architects - were chosen from more than 120 entries in an international design competition.

• Investment crucial for growth of city's tourism

They will showcase their proposals at the V&A at "Dundee - Making it Happen" exhibition in the University of Abertay Dundee library in Bell Street. The project is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd, a partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee and Abertay universities, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise.

Sir Mark Jones, director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, said: "It's great to see that the competition for the V&A at Dundee has attracted such a strong international response. Some of the best and most interesting architectural practices in the world are competing to create this new building in Dundee and they have been inspired by the project and by the quality of this beautiful site on the waterfront."

He added: "In the difficult economic circumstances it will be a great and creative step to go ahead with this. I believe it will do an enormous amount to energise, animate and draw attention to Dundee's waterfront and transform further Dundee's reputation of being a vigorous and lively city."

The public have been invited to help shape the new landmark by giving their views on the proposals at the free exhibition.

Sir Mark added: "Some people will love the designs and some people will hate them and they will have different favourites."But I do think the panel will want to know what people's response is because there will be a lot of interesting and pertinent responses which will help them think about the right choice."

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Mike Galloway, director of city development for Dundee City Council, said the project has attracted a range of designs that are very dynamic and exciting.

"Our shortlist features some of the brightest names in world architecture and design and I think they have shown with these designs why they are so highly rated.

"Our brief called for outstanding design to fit an outstanding location and I think the teams have lived up to that."

Lesley Knox, chair of Design Dundee Ltd and chair of the judging panel, said: "These are fantastic designs and we hope as many people as possible visit the exhibition and the website and express their opinions on the models and designs. I am sure people will see things they love and some will also have opinions that go the other way. But the key thing is that they make their opinions known, as it will feed into the panel's decision."

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