MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH
Finalist International Competition 1991We were among six finalists from over 300 international entries for this major new nationalmuseum set in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town.
The design concept was to plan the museum about a topographical axis which coincidentally runs through the north east corner of the site between Arthurs Seat (the mountain adjacent to the Parliament Building ) and the Castle.
A central void running along this axis and containing stairs and lifts provides striking views out at the corner of the site toward to Castle.
This giant space ensures that visitors may easily orientate themselves while exploring the extensive main galleries and the embracing smaller specialist collections on intermediate mezzanine levels.
Upon rising to the roof top restaurant the whole city is at once revealed in 360 degree panorama. The interior of the building was to be essentially finished in timber joinery. The concrete frame was to be formed in timber shuttering designed to remain in place upon completion of construction, creating an interior of robust beamed spaces reminiscent of Victorian
warehouses and Scottish baronial halls.