Scotland’s best building: Two of our projects vying for RIAS Doolan Award

The Fruitmarket Gallery was formerly a light industrial building next to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, built in 1938. The building has been used for displaying art since 1974 but was completely remodelled in the 1990s in order to provide exhibition space for some of the world’s most important contemporary artists. Its success meant that it needed a complete refurbishment and extension. We were appointed to provide mechanical and electrical and environmental design for this key building on a sensitive site within Edinburgh’s conservation area.

“Commending the architect on its ‘community-first’ approach, the judges noted how the process of careful listening had led to a cost-effective and discreet series of interventions that demonstrably maximises social value and community benefit.” – RIAS Judges

The Burrell Collection is a Category A-listed building of international significance housing over 9,000 works of art. The brief included re-ordering the interiors, undertaking necessary and substantial repairs and improving its environmental performance. We provided a feasibility study and some advice to aid with an HLF funding application for a masterplan for the refurbishment and redisplay of the iconic museum. We were appointed to provide MEP design services for the complete redesign of the exhibition and archive spaces to RIBA Stage 3.

“In summary, the refurbishment is a considerate and bold reimagining of the Burrell Collection. By successfully synthesising careful repair and an exemplary retrofit, it has enabled wider access to this seminal late 20th-century building, allowing visitors to engage with more of the Burrell’s important collections for generations to come.” – RIAS Judges