The Scottish Parliament External Security Facility
Client : The Scottish Parliament
Location : Edinburgh
Value : Undisclosed
Completion Date : Late 2013
Leeboyd won the Tender to design a new External Security Facility for the Scottish Parliament in 2011, with work commencing in 2012, and completed on time and on budget in 2013.
The proposed design of the new External Security Facility is respectful of the original architectural intent and is also influenced by the strong lines in the landscape. These contours are reinforced by the solidity of the Kemnay granite walls which clad the principal walls of the new facility.
The new entrance to the building is set between these walls in a fully glazed façade, providing a high level of transparency and views to the park and landscape beyond. This connection with the landscape and external spaces is further emphasised by the continuation of the pattern and materials of the existing external hard landscaping in the design of both the floor and roof finishes, which seamlessly flow through the building.
The new facility is designed to provide a prominent public entrance to the Scottish Parliament building and address the security requirements for public access.
It is detached from the existing building by a fully glazed link, which visually separates the new facility from the existing building. From here, visitors enter the main hall of the Scottish Parliament building through a new glazed corridor which runs parallel with the existing east facing façade.
The new corridor is located beneath the existing glazed canopy, and incorporates ‘bamboo’ oak poles and curtain walling to match the design of the existing fenestration.
Design team :
Quantity Surveyor : Thomas & Adamson
Structural Engineer : D J Goode and Associates Ltd
Services Engineer : RSP Consulting Engineers
Main Contractor : Henry Brothers Ltd
Credits : Photographs by Keith Hunter Photography