An international contest offering the world’s best designers the chance to transform Perth City Hall has been officially launched.
The search for an architect to lead the long-awaited redevelopment project, ending more than a decade of uncertainty about the landmark building’s future.
A similar contest was held to select the designer of Dundee’s V&A.
City hall, which has stood empty since 2005, is being revived as part of a £36 million revamp of the city’s cultural offerings.
The plan is to use the venue to host nationally significant pieces from the local authority’s own collection, as well as touring exhibitions and loans from across the UK and elsewhere.
Perth Museum and Art Gallery is also being revamped at a cost of £10 million. The idea is to have the two venues tell the story of Perth’s place at the heart of Scotland.
It is hoped that the Stone of Destiny, the crowning seat of Scottish kings, will eventually be housed at one of the venues.
The redevelopment project is a key part of the Fair City’s bid for City of Culture status in 2021.
The successful architect is likely to be confirmed by the end of the year and work could start on the hall in early 2019.
If all goes to plan, the venue would be ready for the UK City of Culture year.
The brief, which is being issued on the council’s behalf by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, invites architects to apply for the pre-qualifying stage of the competition.
Qualifying architects will then be asked to develop more detailed plans for consideration.
Their overall design approaches will go on public display and a panel of project representatives will assess the architectural teams and make a recommendation to the project board.
Speaking at the competition launch on Monday morning, council leader Ian Miller – chair of the Perth 2021 programme board – said: “We want to deliver a 21st Century attraction which is both rooted in our unique local culture and is of world class quality.
“The city hall competition is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver an international attraction in the heart of our Fair City.
“This is the brief we want architects to respond to and we look forward to seeing the proposals which the competition will generate.”
Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross – which delivers and develops museum and library services across the region – added: “City Hall and its redesign is a crucial element to the continued development of culture and arts in Perth and Kinross, and to Perth’s UK City of Culture bid.
“Culture Perth and Kinross hopes this competition will attract architects who can help showcase City Hall for what it’s going to be – cornerstone of the region’s burgeoning cultural scene and a place to showcase our own important collection alongside an exhibition programme of national and international significance.”
