Work begins on winning design by Flanagan Lawrence

Following a design competition ending in 2016, work has begun on Flanagan Lawrence's design for a new music centre at the University of St Andrews, with the ground-breaking ceremony taking place last week. The competition brief required design teams to provide innovative interiors suitable for performance, while respecting the heritage environment of the historically important location. Situated on Queens Terrace, which is currently home to temporary buildings and a car park, the new building will restore an historic quad while complementing the neighbouring St Regulus Hall student residence and the Bute Building.

The University’s music tradition began with its first choristers 600 years ago, and continues today with hundreds of St Andrews students making music part of their degree by taking modules ranging from opera to electronic music. These activities are limited by the current facilities, which date from 1828 and lack sound proofing. The new Laidlaw Music Centre will support complement the Byre Theatre, offering a range of soundproofed spaces for practice, individual tuition, academic lectures, and ensemble and orchestral rehearsals. 

Dr Michael Downes, Director of Music at the University of St Andrews and Artistic Associate, Byre Theatre, stated: “Flanagan Lawrence has kept the artistic purpose of the building firmly in mind throughout the design process, ensuring that the integrity of the new spaces allows musicians to give the best performances possible. We are thrilled with the elegance and sensitivity of the design that has evolved and are confident that it will result in one of the most successful purpose-built spaces for classical music in Scotland.”

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This competition was first published by TenderStream on 19.10.2015 here

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