Major win for Dundee V&A before work starts
The design for the V&A at Dundee has won a major international architecture prize — before construction even starts.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 24.08.11
- Published online : 24.08.11 @ 09.09am
It was announced that Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's plan for the £45 million museum won the civic buildings (unbuilt) category of the prestigious World Architecture News Awards.
Scottish Government culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said the building will become an "iconic landmark" and deserves its international acclaim.
Judges chose the V&A at Dundee from a shortlist of six civic designs around the world. The journal said the V&A at Dundee could transform the waterfront area and economy.
It said: "The V&A Dundee will bring reams of tourists to the city's stunning waterfront, providing many additional jobs in the tertiary sector and introducing a new cultural venue on the River Tay."
One of the judges, Hannah Lawson, director of education and culture and head of initiatives at architects John McAslan and Partners, said the museum's relationship with the Tay was its winning factor.
She said: "There are some quite compelling narratives about the landscape with the twisting and turning, in line with the landscape and the harbour.
"I think it weaves itself with the water as well as the ground plain, it's not just a building that sits on the harbour but it somehow appears to sit within it and within the land as well."
Mr Kuma's design for the V&A was chosen from 120 entries in a competition to design the building, to be the centrepiece of Dundee's revamped waterfront.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "The V&A will be an iconic landmark building on Dundee's waterfront, and it is great news that Kengo Kuma's design is already receiving international acclaim.
"It will be great for the city as well as benefiting the whole of Scotland, acting as a magnet for visitors from all over the world, and growing Dundee's and Scotland's reputation for creativity."
Director of the Dundee V&A project Philip Long congratulated Mr Kuma on award.
He said: "Our congratulations to Kengo Kuma on winning this award for such an outstanding design, even before its construction has begun.
"V&A at Dundee's vision is to be an international centre for design, and we are delighted that the building Kengo Kuma is creating for us is in itself an expression of design of the highest quality."
Chairman of the Dundee Waterfront Board and city council administration leader Ken Guild said the award shows the museum is already raising the city's profile.
He said: "This is excellent news for the city of Dundee and shows how Kengo Kuma's design is already attracting prestigious recognition.
"There were a number of strong global entries on the shortlist and this award is a measure of the attention that the V&A at Dundee is focusing on the city."
The museum will be built on a pier-like structure on the Tay at Craig Harbour. A team of architects from Mr Kuma's Tokyo practice arrive in Scotland next month to begin work.
The Scottish Government is expected to meet around a third of the £45 million cost of the V&A project, with the private sector and other funding sources, such as the lottery, providing the rest.
Construction is expected to start next year, to open in 2015.
09.35am - 24.08.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
an award for an unbuilt building? really... ive never heard anything as preposterous.
10.42am - 24.08.2011 Dave - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I wish they'd stop going on about the architecture and tell us a bit more about what's going to be inside. I, like many, don't have a clue.
11.16am - 24.08.2011 Alun - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Unlike some, I think that positive or good news for my city is perfectly OK with me, unbuilt or not. I also agree that we need more information on what it's going to hold. The V&A at Dundee staff will pobably say it's still 3 years away so it's a bit early.
11.43am - 24.08.2011 Stewart - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Great news for the city, hopefully this will speed up the build and surrouding developments
03.04pm - 24.08.2011 Robert N - Dundee , Scotland Report This
The Scottish Govt. should be meeting more than a thrid of the cost. Successive govts in Edinburgh have spent 100's of millions of pounds in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
04.36pm - 24.08.2011 R. Smith - Dundee, UK Report This
Don't know about a major win as such, but it's all good news, which is the main thing.
09.10pm - 24.08.2011 T. Butchers - Dundee, uk Report This
In the V&A you get stuff like Rococo pieces, Jain art, textiles, fashion things. It's the museum in London you miss out if you don't have time
12.22pm - 25.08.2011 hoops mccann - dundee, uk Report This
Can't believe we Dundonians havnae thought up a nickname for the building yet ... the campaign starts here
11.07pm - 25.08.2011 Greg E. - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
OK, I'll go first. Bonnie.
01.23pm - 29.08.2011 stephen - dundee, scotland Report This
how about Deedee? :)
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