I’m not big on architecture, but it’s the old thing — I know what I like.
When the Scottish Parliament building was opened it was quite a common grumble amongst people. The Scottish Parliament, it’s not box-shaped, it’s all lopsided, so it must be silly modern tosh.
Well no, I like it. I think it looks great. When you come down towards the bottom of the Royal Mile it just comes with little warning. First you peek it through gaps in between other buildings. Then all of a sudden you turn a corner and it’s right there. On the pavement. Infact, a bit of it sticks out so you’re actually basically walking under it. That’s kind of cheesy (“close to the people”), but I do like it.
So I’m pleased that it’s up for the Stirling Prize, even though I’ve never heard of it.
One of the other buildings nominated is the McLaren Technology Centre. Like the Scottish Parliament building, it was not without its controversy. Construction took five years, and it became such a big thing that rival teams said that the building was putting them off Formula 1, which explains their poor performances in 2003 and especially 2004. Maybe that’s true. Who knows. Anyway, the building looks very impressive. Typically McLaren, you might say. Beautiful, silver and shiny, with enormous attention to detail. Aerial shots of it look fantastic. Apparently it’s also environmentally friendly.
Cal T
1 August 2005 17:34
#1
I agree – it looks fantastic from the outside. It really complements its location next to Salisbury Crags and Holyrood Palace. Inside however, it’s a different story. Whilst I think the debating chamber is superb, the public entrance (and, in fact, all the public areas) feel cramped, dingy, and generally unwelcoming. On a recent tour, I discovered that the public have to enter via a discreet side entrance not unlike a fire exit, before arriving in a dingy, low-ceilinged lobby clad in dark grey concrete. The opressive atmosphere was certainly not encouraging to people who want to pay a visit to ‘their’ Parliament – it felt like a downmarket multi-storey car park. Contrast this with the bright, spacious MSPs’ entrance, adorned with Caithness granite, French and Scottish oak, and festooned with artwork (the staircase where the BBC and Scottish TV always film interviews and pieces to camera). Politicians are often undeservingly treated with contempt, but when you encounter a gesture like this, it’s difficult not to see those who approved this design as a bunch of self-glorifying, anti-democratic, glorified local councillors. Phew! Feel better now…
doctorvee
1 August 2005 19:19
#2
Oh I have to agree, when I went inside I thought it was very dingy. I thought the main problem was just the dim lights. I heard that they had done something to improve this though…