WHY WINS EDINBURGH'S ROSS PAVILLION COMPETITION

I am thrilled to announce that Landstylist's very own Contributing Editor, Mark Thomann of the American studio whY design just won a large international competition for a new events park in Edinburgh Scotland that will feature a new events pavilion overlooked by Edinburgh castle, and a series of glazed pavilions topped by wave-shaped roof gardens. It is so incredibly exciting and the design, exquisite.

wHY partnered with Edinburgh's office called GRAS on a proposal for the 32 million dollar Ross Pavilion, and was selected ahead of six other teams including BIG, West 8, Adjaye Associates and Sou Fujimoto Architects. 

The competition winners proposed an organic landscape-focused scheme that respects the historic setting but also animates the Gardens through the introduction of a new undulating promenade, transformed access from Princes Street, sculptural seating and dynamic open views.

Inspired by the Gardens’ geology and history – from the volcanic forces to the man-made energy of the Victorian pleasure garden – the design subtly positions the new visitor centre and the ‘butterfly’ Pavilion into the folds of the landscape, enabling the Castle to remain the main visual event. The scheme increases the amount of green space relative to hard surfaces within the Gardens and is, in the team’s words, ‘human scale with moments of drama… activating four layers of meaning within the Gardens: botanical, civic, commemorative and cultural.’

The jury praised the team’s concept design as ‘a beautiful and intensely appealing proposal that complemented, but did not compete with, the skyline of the City and the Castle.’ They liked the concept of the activated community space with a democratic spirit, potentially creating a new and welcoming focus for the City’s festivals while appreciating that the team’s design balanced this with a strong approach to the smaller, intimate spaces within the wider Gardens.

 

Competition Jury Chair Norman Springford said: “We thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the shortlisted teams and understanding each approach. However with wHY, they demonstrated an impressive collaboration which respects and enhances the historical context and backdrop of the Castle and the City, whilst creating new heritage and increasing the green space within the Gardens.  All of which were key aspects for us all and respected the importance of the space within a World Heritage Site"

For more information, click on this article by Dezeen and Archdaily