The “outstanding” redesign of Aberdeen’s historic Union Terrace Gardens has won a prestigious architecture award.
The regeneration project landed the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award, given annually by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
The gardens originally opened in 1879 and the £28.3m redevelopment began in 2019, reopening to the public in 2022.
A 16th Century tower in the Highlands, a road bridge in Aberdeenshire, and a multi-use space at the University of Edinburgh had also been on the shortlist for the accolade.
RIAS said the Aberdeen project showed that architecture could enrich lives.
The gardens are in the heart of Aberdeen [Hardscape]
The public space in the heart of Aberdeen was transformed through the regeneration project.
It involved extensive landscaping and engineering work and the construction of three lantern-like pavilions.
It also included conservation elements, including restoring statues, railings, arcade arches and subterranean Victorian toilets.
The other projects in the running were Fairburn Tower in the Highlands, the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge over the River Gairn, and the Nucleus building in Edinburgh.
The gardens photographed how they were several years ago, before the transformation [BBC]
The gardens now feature new pavillions [Andrew Lee]
RIAS president Karen Anderson described the gardens as an “outstanding” winner.
“Union Terrace Gardens demonstrates perfectly how architecture can enrich the lives of everyone who encounters it,” she said.
“I’m delighted that Union Terrace Gardens is the first public realm project to be recognised in this way.
“The collaboration between Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design and LDA Design brings together contemporary architecture, heritage conservation and landscape design, and the huge popularity of the gardens today is a testament to their vision, skills and teamwork.”
Paul Stallan, the design director at Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design, described Union Terrace Gardens as the “beating civic heart” of Aberdeen.
“We are incredibly proud that the gardens and all the facilities we’ve provided are being embraced and used by Aberdonians in joyful and innovative ways,” he said.
Emily Robertson said Union Terrace Gardens was a family-friendly place [BBC]
BBC Scotland News spoke to people at the gardens this week about how it had changed in recent years.
“I like that there’s more for kids to do,” Emily Robertson said. “There’s the playground areas and there’s a lot of spaces for pop-up events, so the Spectra light festival and all the Christmas displays are here so it’s really nice, and a more family friendly space I think.”
Dougie Bogie said: “It’s really good, it’s a lot better than it used to be, there’s a lot more space to do stuff now. It’s a lot nicer.”
And Darry Sukanya added: “It’s quite peaceful and very beautiful, I kind of enjoy the view just sitting alone, and if you feel like having some self-time you can come and really enjoy it here.”
Plans to breathe new life into the gardens first received the council’s backing in 2007.
The following year, businessman Sir Ian Wood said he would contribute up to £50m towards a rival scheme to raise the gardens and develop a new street-level square.
Those plans were eventually rejected in 2012, when backing was instead given to proposals to improve the gardens.
Fresh plans for a revitalisation of the historic park were unveiled in December 2016, then given approval in 2018.
Celebrate the best
Work began on the site the following year.
The award, which was established in 2002, borrows its name from visionary Scottish architect and developer Andy Doolan, who believed in the importance of promoting great design and making architecture accessible to everyone.
Doolan died in 2004.
In his memory, the Doolan Award seeks to find and celebrate the best building in Scotland each year.
Past winners include the Scottish Parliament building and Glasgow’s Burrell Collection.
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