RICS Scotland Awards 2024 - Winner
With two of our projects among just 29 shortlisted in the whole of Scotland for the Regional RICS Awards, Hoskins Architects is thrilled to have won for our work on creating the new Scottish Galleries, at the incredibly iconic National Gallery, in Edinburgh.
The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, and the judges have recognised the outstanding achievements realised by the New Scottish Galleries project by announcing it as winner of the Refurbishment Revitalisation category, a significant milestone for our practice, our client and the entire project team involved.
The design team, led by Hoskins Architects, was appointed in 2014 to undertake the exceptional challenge of carefully reworking the lower ground levels of the National complex on Edinburgh’s world-famous Mound below Playfair’s iconic Greek temple.
The team began by undertaking careful research, including extensive consultation with stakeholders, to understand current limitations and future aspirations. Numerous significant and unforeseeable challenges were overcome by the team throughout the delivery of the project by working collaboratively and openly with both client and contractor and, in the end, delivering a truly world-class space in which to display Scotland’s national collection
“… in astonishing contrast, the new Scottish wing designed by Hoskins Architects is a triumph of space, and of light and shadow. Constructed ingeniously out of the first basement extension, the new space means that at last the Scottish collection can be properly displayed.”
Duncan MacMillan, Art Critic, Scotsman – 25/09/23
An expert judging panel confirmed the prestigious projects shortlisted for the UK Regional Awards 2024, the winners of which will now go forward to compete at the National Ceremony. The complete UK National shortlist will be announced on 26 June after all regional awards have concluded, and the final ceremony where the national winners will be announced is to be held on 04 October 2024.
Of the win, National Galleries of Scotland Chief Operating Officer Bryan Robertson said:
“I am absolutely delighted for my colleagues at the National Galleries Scotland, the design team and the contractors who have put so much into the successful delivery of the new Scottish Galleries at the National. This award from the RICS in Scotland is great recognition for the visionary leadership, creativity and tenacity they have shown to be able to successfully deliver this project over a number of years.”
“The team had to overcome many obstacles, including the time of lock down, working over one of the busiest railway tunnels in Scotland and under the existing 1850s building which remained open throughout the entire construction phase. Visitor feedback since we opened on the 30th September 2023 has been superb. We are incredibly proud of the fact we have created a legacy for the nation, by building a gallery to celebrate and display the nation’s collection of Scottish Art from 1800 to 1945.”
Image: Bryan Robertson [National Galleries Scotland], Thomas Hamilton [Hoskins Architects], Stuart Gray [Gardiner & Theobald] at the RICS Scotland Award Ceremony.