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  COME VEDERE L'ARCHITETTURA CONTEMPORANEA HOW TO SEE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
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BUILDING
 
 
Scottish Parliament Building
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DESIGNER
 
 
EMBT Miralles Tagliabue
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CONTEXT
 
Relationship with the location
EMBT Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue Scottish Parliament Building Edinburgh
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DESCRIPTION
 
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The Scottish Parliament, located in Edinburgh, is a government building of great architectural and symbolic importance. Designed by the Spanish architectural firm EMBT, Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, and completed in 2004, the building represents a remarkable example of contemporary architecture.

The building is situated in the heart of Edinburgh, at the end of the famous street known as the Royal Mile, and overlooks a vast open area with gardens and public spaces. It was inaugurated in 2004 and was designed to reflect Scottish identity and autonomy, harmoniously integrating with the city's historical context.

The building's form is characterized by fluid and organic lines, inspired by Scotland's natural topography. It consists of a series of interconnected and overlapping spaces, creating a sense of movement and dynamism. The building also features elements made of glass, wood, and steel, contributing to its contemporary and innovative appearance.

A distinctive architectural element of the Scottish Parliament is its undulating roof, called "The Canopy." The roof is composed of a series of curved forms that intertwine and overlap, creating a suggestive and iconic image. The design of the roof is inspired by the hills and undulating landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, symbolizing the country's identity and culture.

The exterior of the building is characterized by a combination of modern and traditional elements. The main façade, known as "The Canongate Wall," is made of stone and features a series of irregular openings and windows that give a sense of dynamism and movement to the building. The side façade, called "The Crags Wall," is characterized by a bolder and more futuristic design, with a series of towers and volumes rising towards the sky.

The interior of the Scottish Parliament is characterized by spacious open areas and a fluid design that promotes transparency and communication. The various chambers and assembly rooms are arranged around a large central atrium surrounded by offices, meeting rooms, and public areas, providing a welcoming and functional environment for legislators and citizens. Meeting and discussion areas are organized to facilitate dialogue among Parliament members and promote democratic participation. The walls are clad in wood, while the floors are made of natural stone, creating a combination of materials that evoke Scottish tradition and nature. The spaces are furnished with modern and inviting materials, creating a comfortable environment for those who work and visit the building.

In addition to formal spaces, the Scottish Parliament also hosts public areas accessible to the public, such as a conference hall, a library, and a restaurant. These spaces are designed to promote interaction and community participation, making the Parliament an inclusive and welcoming space for all.

The Scottish Parliament building has been designed with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Innovative solutions have been implemented to reduce the building's environmental impact, such as the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The building has also been designed to maximize the use of natural light and promote sustainable waste and water management practices.

Overall, the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh represents a modern architectural icon and a symbol of Scottish democracy and identity. Its unique and innovative design, combined with a commitment to sustainability, makes it a prominent architectural landmark and a destination of great interest for visitors.
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VIDEO
 
 
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MATERIALS
 
stone, glass, wood, reinforced concrete

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LOCATION
 
Continent
Europe
Nation
United Kingdom
State
Scotland
Council Area
City of Edinburgh
Town
Edinburgh
Address
Canongate, Holyrood road
 
 
Website
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MAP
 
 
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TYPOLOGY
 
ARCHITECTURE
Public buildings
Government buildings
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CHRONOLOGY
 
Project
1998     project winner of competition
Realisation
2000 - 2004
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AWARDS
 
2005
RIBA Stirling Prize Award
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BIBILIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
 
 
"Parlamento de Edimburgo/Scottish Parliament", El Croquis 144, I/2009 [EMBT. 2000 2009. Enric Miralles, Benedetta Tagliabue], pp. 148-195
Charles Jencks, "Presenting and representing politics", Log 6, 2005 fall, pp. 27-32
"Scottish Parliament. EMBT Arquitectes Associats and RMJM Scotland", GA Document 86, july 2005, pp. 42-81
Fred Smith, "Brave heart", Monument 66, april-may 2005, pp. 42-50
Hans Ibelings, "Miralles' Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh", A10 new European architecture 2, march/april 2005, p. 62 "Instant history"
David Cohn, "Appallingly expensive and years late, yet bursting with dreamlike bravura, the Scottish Parliament may ultimately be EMBT and RMJM's bittersweet masterpiece", Architectural Record 2/2005, february 2005, pp. 98-111
Charles Jencks, The Scottish Parliament, Scala Publishers, London 2005
Alan Balfour, Creating a Scottish Parliament, Finlay Brown, Edinburgh 2005
Pierre Chabard, "Parlement d'Ecosse, Holyrood, Edimbourg, Ecosse / Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland", L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui 365, janvier-février/january-february 2005, pp. 108-117
Davide Deriu, "Il parlamento costa caro agli scozzesi", Il giornale dell'architettura 23, novembre 2004, pp. 1, 12

Bruno Pedretti, "L'indigeno infuriato e il turista sconcertato", Il giornale dell'architettura 23, novembre 2004, p. 12
Marcus Fairs, "Scottish Parliament. Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue Arquitectes Associats with RMJM Scotland", Icon 12, may 2004, pp. 52-56
"EMBT Arquitectes Associats. Parlamento scozzese, Edimburgo" in Next. 8. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura. 2002, Marsilio, Venezia 2002, "Chiesa e stato" pp. 352-353
Lucy Bullivant, "Una festa popolare/A festival for the people", Domus 823, febbraio/february 2000, p. 96 (89-96)
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EXHIBITIONS
 
 
Miralles: A quarts de quatre…, Barcelona (Spain), MUHBA Museu d’Història de Barcelona, Salò del Tinell, 15 april / 4 july 2021
Un Viaje (virtual) a Edinburgh. Video story sobre el Parlamento de Escocia, Barcelona (Spain), Fundación Enric Miralles, 23 december 2020 / 25 june 2021
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CLIENT
 
 
Scottish Parliament Corporate Body
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AMOUNT
 
 
£ 431.000.000
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DIMENSIONAL
DATA
 
Capacity
Parliamentary Hall 131 seats
Surface
sq.m. 29.321
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STRUCTURES
 
 
Ove Arup & Partners, Scotland - Steve Fischer
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LANDSCAPE DESIGN
 
 
EMBT/RMJM
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STAFF
 
Associate designers
RMJM Scotland LTD
M.A.H Duncan
T.B. Stewart
Project leader
Joan Callis
Architect of record
Karl Unglaub
Collaborators
EMBT (competition)
Constanza Chara, Omer Arbel, Fabian Asunción, Steven Bacaus, Michael Eichhorn, Christopher Hitz, Francesco Mozzati, Leonardo Giovanozzi, Fergus Mc Ardle, Fernanda Hannah, Annie Marcela Henao, Ricardo Jimenez
EMBT (realisation)
Constanza Chara, Umberto Viotto, Michael Eichhorn, Fabian Asunción, Fergus Mc Ardle, Sania Belli, Gustavo Silva Nicoletti, Vicenzo Franza , Antonio Benaduce, Andrew Vrana, Bernardo Ríos, Torsten Skoetz, Tomoko Sakamoko, Javier García Germán, Annie Marcela Henao, Christian Molina Angel Gaspar Caspado, Nadja Pröwer, Sania Belli, Pedro Ogesto Vallina, Leonardo Giovannozzi, Sara Hay, Marco Santini, Francesco Matucci, Cristiane Felber, Marco de la Porta, Sonia Henriques, Luciano Di Romanico, Jan Locke, Christine Stauss, Sandra Stecklina, Simone Brussaferi, Claudia Lucchini, Stefan Geenen, Kristina Kinder, Franziska Bartsh, Adam Strong, Patricia Giacobbe, Rafael du Montard, Florencia Vechter, Eugenio Cirulli, Emanuele Bottigella, Torsten Skoetz, Albert Nasser, Jorge Rollán Raffin, Griet Lambrechts, Sandy Brunner, Péter Sándor Nagy

RMJM
Andrew Hodgkinson, Andy Bushell, Annette Raible, Armin Rose, Barry Croall, Bernd Woger, Brian Stewart, Bryan Thomas, Calum McLeod, Carl Davies, Carl McWilliam, Caryl Stephen, Chin Koi Khoo, Choon Yen Yap, Chris Patterson, Christopher Walsh, Claire Coombe, Claire Gordon, Colin Cairns Ford, Conor Pittman, Craig Hovell, Cristina González-Longo, David James, David Malley, David Maxwell, David McPherson, David Miller, David Reat, Debbie McKeen, Emma Franks, Fan Tie , Fiona Kelso, Fiona McNeill, Fraser Hay, Gillian Hanley, Gordon Gray, Gordon Hulley, Gordon McGregor, Graeme Marshall, Guiseppina Ascoine, Hector McDonald, Ian Burns, Jackie Brown, Jackie Milne, Jason Sharman, Jennifer Cassidy, John Doogan, John Dwyer, John Kinsley, John Marshall, John Ramsay, John Welsh, Julia Radcliffe, Karin Ott, Kath MacTaggart, Keith MacRae, Kenny Fraser, Kevin Grubb, Khairul Khalifah, Kirsten Spence, Kirsty Raitt, Laura Walder, Leigh Muldownie, Louisa Reid, Lumir Soukup, Malcom Christie, Manuela Molendini, Mark Bingham, Mark Dowey, Mark Hutcheson, Merlinda Song, Mette Thagaard, Michael Duncan, Mike Lee, Mike Murray, Moira Blane, Monika Einwachter, Nathan Ward, Nick Finlay-Coulson, Nicola Henderson, Nira Ponniah, Norman McKenzie, Pamela Syme, Patrick MacDonald, Philip White, Pohkit Goh, Rachel Smith, Rebecca Wober, Robin Gibson, Ross Milne, Sandra Costa Santos, Simon Brims, Simon Richards, Thomas Hutcheson, Tom Hay, Tony Kettle, Tony Malley, Victoria McAllum, William Anderson, William McElhinney, Wilson Homal
Acoustical consultant
Sandy Brown Associates
Lighting engineer
OVI
Graphics and signage
CDT
Consultant
Scottish Lime Centre
Supervision
Turner & Townsend
Construction management
Bovis Lend Lease
Quantity surveyor
Davis Langdon Everest
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CREDITS
 
 
Photos © Monostudio
Courtesy of Prestphoto | architectour.net


EMBT Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue Scottish Parliament Building Edinburgh




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