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Drawing inspiration from organic shapes in the surrounding landscape and from upturned boats on the seashore, the Scottish Parliament is part of the country it represents rather than a symbol of power overlooking its people. From its siting and form comes the realization that this Parliament truly represents the Scottish people.

In early 2005, the building was awarded the Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) Centenary Medal, the highest accolade the association gives to any project. EAA President, Colin Gilmour, congratulated the winning architects for "having the vision, courage, and stamina to create a masterful piece of architecture which all of Scotland should be proud of."

Scotland's Expression

Having been given devolved power from the United Kingdom's central Government in 1997, Scotland set about building the country's first new parliament in 300 years. A year later, the firm EMBT/ RMJM — a joint venture combining Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue of Barcelona and the Scottish firm RMJM — was appointed to design a new complex.

Miralles led the concept design in the initial stages. His vision was a parliament building that would be "de-institutionalized, aggregated, and organic; embracing the landscape and defying all the canonical rules of architectural composition." The firm's competition entry suggested something fresh and unusual with the building depicted in a collage of leaves and sticks.

"The parliament should be able to reflect the land it represents. The building should arise from the sloping base of Arthur's Seat and arrive into the city almost surging out of the rock," said Miralles. Sadly he never saw the fruits of his labor. He died in 2000, but his fundamental principles remained firmly in place.

Many Places in One

To refer to the Scottish Parliament as one building is a misnomer. It is a complex made up of several interlinked buildings: the private offices for the Members of Scottish Parliament (the MSP Building), the historic Queensberry House, the MSP foyer, the towers, Canongate Wall, the public foyer, and the debating chamber.

Within this complex there are two primary circulation routes; one takes MSPs from their offices via a garden foyer to the committee rooms and debating chamber. The other route directs the public from the entrance lobby to the public gallery.

Relationships and alignments between the land, the people, and the building ensure there is an all-encompassing identification for everyone and everything; 16,000 construction drawings are testament to that.

Complex structural engineering is evident throughout. For example, the MSP formal entrance canopy is a 52-foot (16-meter) cantilever that supports two Vierendeel trusses converging to a razor sharp point. This entrance forms an almost discrete passageway into the inner courtyards.

In contrast, just around the corner, is the public entrance that opens directly into the almost ecclesiastical subterranean public foyer. Twisted precast concrete columns support the concrete ceiling, with its indents of the saltire (the cross on the Scottish flag) interspersed on the surface of the concrete vaults. The spatial result resembles a cathedral crypt or an undercroft, yet it is all above ground.

This grand hall contains all the welcoming and informative functions that characterize the open institution: reception, information, education, shop, cafeteria, facilities for school children, and TV screens broadcasting the various proceedings of the Parliament.

Members Only

On the other side of the site is the MSP building, which runs along the western edge of the 4-acre (1.6-hectare) site and completes the distinctive "rigg" (built along stone ridges) plan of the medieval city which was built on a craggy landscape. This building houses the offices of the MSPs and their support staff. Up to six stories high, it steps down at its southern end to four stories in response to the parkland beyond.   >>>

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The new Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh by Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue of Barcelona and the Scottish firm RMJM. Photo: Don Barker Granite panels represent drawn-back curtains, symbolizing open government. Photo: © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2005 Sculptural, daylit MSP foyer. Photo: © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2005 On the west elevation of the MSP Building is a unique, projecting window seat for each office. Photo: Don Barker Projecting window seats. Photo: © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2005 A window seat allows the MSP to sit "outside" the building in contemplation. Photo: © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2005 Looking over the leaf-shaped towers toward the MSP offices, with historic Queensbury House to the right. Photo: Don Barker Composition of drainage hoppers with diagonal gutters on the east elevation of the MSP Building. Photo: Don Barker   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.