THE WINNING design for a new £15m cultural centre at the Crichton was revealed yesterday by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
And victory went to the team led by O’DonnellBrown Architects, who overcame stiff competition from 69 teams to win the contest and chance to take their design concept forward.
The new building, on the site of the Merrick former hospital laundry, will contain exhibition and archive facilities, research and support facilities and The Crichton Heritage Centre: enhancing people’s understanding of the site’s 180 year heritage and innovation in the provision of mental health care and arts and health. The building will also bring together a new visual arts and exhibition space, an intergenerational academic study space and resource centre, and a land art archives and research centre.
Now the winning conceptual design will be developed further in partnership with The Crichton Trust.
And the community and organisations are also encouraged to share their ideas on how the project can move towards realisation.
When finished, the £15 million building will transform cultural provision in Dumfries and Galloway, while complementing the range of facilities and organisations already at The Crichton campus.
Gwilym Gibbons, chief executive of The Crichton Trust, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number and quality of competition entries received and I would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry and to congratulate O’DonnellBrown Architects and their partners for their winning design concept. We now look forward to working with the winning team and engaging with stakeholders and the local community to shape the final design and in attracting investment from potential funders, donors and sponsors for this important and iconic new landmark at The Crichton.”
Michael Dougall, director at O’DonnellBrown, added: “We are delighted that the Crichton Trust have selected our team to progress designs for The Crichton Project.
“We are looking forward to widening this collaboration with the involvement of The Crichton Trust and the people who work, visit, and study within the inspiring context of The Crichton Estate.”
