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ACSEF has today announced that an international design competition for the City Square project will be the next step in the process if there is a positive outcome to the consultation.
The public private sector partnership has also revealed that creating a Scottish Guggenheim or securing a major national gallery or museum is one of its main aspirations for the project.
ACSEF is spear-heading the City Square project which aims to create a more attractive, greener, better connected and safer city centre by raising Union Terrace Gardens and covering over the unsightly Denburn dual carriageway and adjacent railway line.
The City Square project, which is currently a concept out for public consultation, is a major economic regeneration proposal that would radically transform the city centre.
Dave Blackwood of ACSEF said: “In our recent discussions as part of the consultation it has become clear that people want to see internationally acclaimed architects being invited to come up with iconic, landmark designs for the City Square project. They believe this project is of such significance that it would merit the launch of an international design competition.”
“Given the important cultural element of this project, we are setting up a workstream within the steering group to lead this part of the project.
“There is no reason why Aberdeen cannot aspire to securing a major arts brand and establishing our own Guggenheim – a gallery and museum which has led the transformation of Bilbao. The regeneration of Dundee’s waterfront has helped it secure the V&A museum and our aspirations should be to attract major national arts and culture facilities.”
ACSEF hopes that the City Square project would stimulate culture in the area and provide us with the necessary platform to attract major, international art exhibitions complemented by music, dance and drama.
The aim is to create a hub that will attract a critical mass of activities and provide quality, purpose-designed facilities for a wide range of performing and visual arts.
“We keep reiterating that the City Square can and should include a contemporary arts centre. Our aspiration is that such a centre could attract national and international brands from the arts world.
“ Within the City Square there is the potential for an iconic building that could meet all Peacock’s requirements and more. Such a centre would be better sited – nearer the theatre and art gallery to create a cultural mass – and benefit from the increased footfall and therefore greater commercial viability as well as significantly lower capital costs.” | 