Architecture studio Mecanoo has transformed the former Perth City Hall and event venue into a museum and gallery, totalling 3,500 m² exhibition spaces, a learning suite, a cafe and visitor facilities.

The renovation and rehabilitation of buildings show the resilience of our cities. Along these lines, Mecanoo has rehabilitated the old Perth City Hall, a structure that epitomizes the grandeur of the Edwardian period, dating back to its inauguration in 1914. Mecanoo has already designed interesting rehabilitations such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library by Mies van der Rohe, the New York Public Library, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.
At the heart of the museum lies the Main Hall—a sanctuary for Scotland's historical treasures, including the revered Stone of Destiny. Inspired by this iconic artefact, Mecanoo crafted a bespoke oak box, elevating it to a prominent position within the hall. Surrounding it, a meticulously detailed balcony showcases Scotland's national history, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the past.

An important element of Mecanoo's intervention was the introduction of a Vennel, a symbolic passage that runs through the heart of the building and connects the Main Hall and the Minor Hall. This architectural intervention, marked by imposing bronze doors crafted on the Black Isle, pays tribute to Scottish craftsmanship and history.


New Perth Museum by Mecanoo. Photograph by Greg Holmes Photography.


New Perth Museum by Mecanoo. Photograph by Greg Holmes Photography.

 

Project description by Mecanoo

In the ever-evolving landscape of architectural restoration, Mecanoo continues to carve its name with transformative projects that honour history while embracing modernity. Following in the footsteps of our acclaimed renovation of the New York Public Library, Mecanoo undertook the challenging task of revitalising Perth's former City Hall—a structure that epitomises the grandeur of the Edwardian Period, dating back to its inauguration in 1914.

Perth's former City Hall, with its classical façade and storied past, presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Like skilled artisans, we approached the project with the precision of a surgeon, recognising the delicate balance between preservation and innovation. Our journey began in 2017, as we ventured through Perth's scenic landscapes, immersing ourselves in the city's rich heritage.

Upon setting foot in the dilapidated City Hall, once a vibrant concert venue, we were struck by its faded grandeur and potential for revival. Our exploration extended beyond its walls, delving into the hidden vennels—narrow alleys—that weave through Perth's urban fabric, revealing the city's untold stories.


New Perth Museum by Mecanoo. Photograph by Greg Holmes Photography.

Central to our concept was the introduction of a Vennel—a symbolic passage cutting through the heart of the building, connecting the Main Hall and the Lesser Hall. This architectural intervention, marked by imposing bronze doors crafted in Black Isle, pays homage to Scotland's craftsmanship and history.

The transformation of the former Lesser Hall into a dynamic communal space, complete with a café and event venue, stands as a testament to our commitment to functionality and inclusivity, serving not only visitors but also local inhabitants. By lowering the windows to the floor level, we invite natural light and panoramic views of St. John's Kirk into the once-introverted space, thereby transforming it into a vibrant hub for community engagement.

At the heart of the museum lies the Main Hall—a sanctuary for Scotland's historical treasures, including the revered Stone of Destiny. Inspired by this iconic artefact, Mecanoo crafted a bespoke oak box, elevating it to a prominent position within the hall. Surrounding it, a meticulously detailed balcony showcases Scotland's national history, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the past.

Mecanoo's philosophy of People, Place, Purpose, and Poetry resonates throughout the project. Designed with the people of Scotland in mind, inspired by Perth’s urban fabric, Mecanoo’s museum stands as a timeless ode to accessibility and cultural enrichment. As visitors step into the space, they are greeted by the poetic interplay of history and modernity.

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Client
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Perth & Kinross Council.
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Area
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3,500 m².
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Dates
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Project Design.- 2017 – 2020.
Project Realisation.- 2021 – 2024.
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King Edward St Perth PH1 5UG, United Kingdom.
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Photography
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Francine Houben (Holland 1955) began formulating the three fundamentals of her lifelong architectural vision while studying at the Delft University of Technology. It was in this crucible of higher learning that she began an architectural practice with two fellow students with the design of a groundbreaking social housing development. As a result, she graduated as architect with cum laude honours in 1984 and officially founded Mecanoo architecten with these same partners.

Francine has remained true to her architectural vision, Composition, Contrast, Complexity throughout her career. Always looking for inspiration and the secret of a specific location, Francine bases her work on both analyses and intuition. She enjoys interweaving social, technical, playful and humane aspects together in order to form a unique solution to each situation. Francine Houben combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture in an untraditional way; with sensitivity for light and beauty.

Her use of material is expressive. She is known as one of the most prolific architects in Europe today. Her wide-ranging portfolio comprises an intimate chapel built on the foundations of a former 19th century chapel in Rotterdam (2001) to Europe’s largest library in Birmingham (2013). Francine Houben’s work reveals a sensory aspect determined by form and space, a lavish use or subtle combinations of the most diverse materials, as well as planes of saturated colour. Francine’s contribution to the profession of architecture is widely recognized. She was granted lifelong membership to the Akademie der Künste, Berlin in 2010.

In 2008, she received the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award. Honorary fellowships to the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and an international fellowship to the Royal Institute of British Architects were granted to her in previous years. The past three decades have seen her cumulative effect on the profession of architecture. Francine lectures all over the world and takes part as a jury member in prestigious competitions.

Her commitment to research and education is evidenced in her instatement as professor in Architecture, Chair of Aesthetics of Mobility at the Delft University of Technology (2000), her professorship at the Universitá della Svizzera Italiania, Accademia di architettura, Switzerland (2000) and her appointment as visiting professor at Harvard (2007). Dedication to her alma mater is reflected in generous sponsorship of the UfD-Mecanoo Award for the best graduating student of the Delft University of Technology.

Francine Houben lives in Rotterdam, a modern city where the skyline is dotted with buildings designed by world renowned architects; including her award winning Montevideo Skyscraper (2005). It was in this dynamic city that she directed and curated the First International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (2003), with the theme, ‘Mobility, a room with a view’. She has realised numerous signature projects throughout the Netherlands and Europe including Philips Business Innovation Centre, FiftyTwoDegrees in Nijmegen, (2005-2006), La Llotja Theatre and Conference Centre in Lleida, Spain (2009) and the Delft University of Technology Library (1999). Currently, she is expanding her architectural vision to other continents with the design of Taiwan’s largest theatre complex, The Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts in Kaohsiung (2014), Dudley Municipal Center in Boston (USA) and Shenzhen Cultural Center (China). In 2011 the book Dutch Mountains was released, a chronicle of Francine Houben and eight special projects in five different countries.

Francine maintains an active presence in academia and culture, regularly publishing and giving lectures worldwide. She has performed in many academic and professional capacities throughout her career, including Chair of Architecture and Aesthetics of Mobility at Delft University of Technology, visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design, and as director of the First International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam.

Francine has received honorary fellowships from the Royal Institute of British Architects, the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. In 2014 Francine was named Woman Architect of the Year by the Architects’ Journal and in November 2015 Queen Máxima of The Netherlands presented Francine with the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize for her wide-ranging career. Francine was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the Université de Mons, Belgium (2017) and the Utrecht University (2016).

“Architecture must appeal to all the senses. Architecture is never a purely intellectual, conceptual, or visual game alone. Architecture is about combining all the individual elements into a single concept. What counts in the end is the arrangement of form and emotion.”

Francine Houben, architect/creative director Mecanoo Architecten.

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