Public feedback invited for IMPACT Centre

In 2016, the International Music and Performing Arts Charitable Trust (IMPACT Scotland) ran a two stage competition to find a design team for a new concert hall in the heart of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. Expressions of interest were submitted by 69 teams from around the globe, with six invited to take part in the second state of the selection process. Now, the evolving proposals from the winning team led by David Chipperfield Architects are on display as part of a public exhibition and consultation.

The competition brief specified that the hall should have world-class acoustics to fit its purpose as the future home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and as a venue for the annual Edinburgh International Festival (EIF). A separate competition saw Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics appointed as a consultant for this aspect of the project. IMPACT Scotland’s Chairman, Sir Ewan Brown said: “This is a building being designed from the inside out, with at its heart, a hall offering world-class acoustics for performers and audiences. The design team have concentrated on getting this right, and we are now developing the look of this truly exceptional building and how it will sympathetically enhance its hidden location.”

The IMPACT Centre will sit behind Dundas House, the 1774 home of Sir Lawrence Dundas which became part of The Royal Bank of Scotland estate in 1825. The historic banking hall will be directly linked to the complex. David Chipperfield said: “The setting, within the context of Edinburgh’s historic New Town, is both stimulating and challenging. The new music venue will not only provide a modern performance space for Edinburgh but also create a new public place in this somewhat hidden corner of the city.”

Venue facilities will include a 1000-seat auditorium, a 200-seat studio/rehearsal space, spaces for education and community outreach, together with a café/bar. The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has committed £25 million to the project.

Lucy Nordberg

TenderStream Research Specialist & Editor

The invitation for expressions of interest was first published on 13.12.2016. See the original brief here

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