RGU architecture students showcase new festival hub designs

Kirsten Macfarlane, Karen Reid and Emily Fawdon’s interpretation of the festival hub
Kirsten Macfarlane, Karen Reid and Emily Fawdon’s interpretation of the festival hub

Architecture students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have put forward their designs for a festival hub as part of Aberdeen’s newest visual arts event.

The students were set a brief of designing a new temporary structure for the city’s Castlegate to act as the festival hub and information point for Look Again 2016.

An exhibition of the 11 shortlisted designs, submitted by students across a range of year groups at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, will be on display at Seventeen on Belmont Street for the duration of the inaugural festival, which takes place from April 8 to 12.



A public vote will be held to select the winner, who will receive a prize of £250, with the design set to be built for next year’s festival. The competition has been sponsored by Covell Matthews Architects.

Joe Leask and Stuart Dilley took part in the creative competition
Joe Leask and Stuart Dilley took part in the creative competition

Look Again 2015 is the first in a three-year strategy that brings together world-renowned, UK-based and budding young artists. The festival is being spearheaded by a partnership between SMART Consultants, Robert Gordon University and Aberdeen City Council.

Sally Reaper, founding director of SMART Consultants, said: “We’re delighted to be working with local architecture students to design a space which will act as an information point for Look Again next year and are very excited to see the ideas submitted.



“Aberdeen is desperate for more creative spaces such as Seventeen that can fulfil a range of functions so having a temporary hub for 2016 is one way for us to address that requirement.”

Calum Ward and Vicky Mitchell designed their idea of the perfect festival hub
Calum Ward and Vicky Mitchell designed their idea of the perfect festival hub

David Vila Domini, architecture lecturer at RGU, said: “This is a great opportunity for students to work on a live brief as part of a high profile festival in Aberdeen.

“The designs that they produce have to meet specific requirements such as housing an information point, workshop space, screenings, talks and tours.



“It must have the capacity to house up to 35 people and should contrast and respond to the existing architecture of the Castlegate area so there is a lot for the students to consider.”

The students were also required to look at using recycled and low cost material to build the hub.

To see the designs and vote for your favourite, visit Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen between April 8 to 12.


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