Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh, Scotland

Overseas Architecture Spring 2019

colab with Abby Peterson

The first mention of a Scottish Parliament was in 1235 when it was written that a meeting was held the town of Kirkliston, just outside of Edinburgh. The Parliament remained functioning off and on with small matters and representation in the main Parliament in London until 1997 when the Scotland Bill was proposed “resulting in favor of a devolved Scottish Parliament with tax-varying powers” and the bill going into effect the next year.

With a new Parliament, Scotland needed a new Parliament building and on January 26 1998, the design competition was launched. By May of that year, out of 70 firms, 5 design teams were shortlisted, with only one being from the UK. It was assured that each entrant was partnered with Scottish firms. After taking public consideration to heart, Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue (taliaboo-a) were announced as the winning team.