Seven teams compete to design the new landmark Ross Pavilion

The new Pavilion is going to be located in the center of the West Princes Street Gardens, a nationally important site, with the spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle above and adjoining the city’s most famous shopping street. Currently the spot is occupied by the Ross Bandstand, for much of the year a quite paradise, it is also the focus for some of Scotland’s most important events and celebrations as the Hogmanay and the Edinburgh International Festival’s.

The first permanent structure of the Ross Bandstand, was designed by architects Kinnear and Peddie in 1877. This was replaced in 1935 by the current structure, designed by the city architect E J Macrae and upgraded and extended a number of times throughout the 20th century. Currently the Bandstand has fallen into disrepair not living to its full potential. When there is no event or celebration, the site closes to the public, restricting the access through the Gardens and causing an unoccupied space in one of the most visited green spaces in Scotland.

Since 2004, there has been an ambition to replace the Bandstand because of the uncapacity of the current structure to withstand the intense storms. Consequently, the city of Edinburgh Council commissioned a study of the site and made some recommendations. There was a previous competition launched in 2006, but the project was cancelled due to the lack of capital. 

The seven projects that have reached the second stage of the Ross Pavilion International Design Competition, have been selected from 125 teams (made up of 400 firms) who entered the competition. The Pavilion will provide a flexible platform for the arts and the cultural programming, as well as it will allow residents and visitors to involve with all the year round events the space will harbour. This project of about £25 million, also includes subtle updates to the West Princes Street Gardens, operated and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council.

At the first stage of the competition, the Trust was looking for creative teams led by an architect demonstrating expertise in landscape, engineering, heritage and planning. At the second stage of the competition, the teams were asked to produce concept designs, having the challenge to replace the existing Bandstand with a new Pavilion of an outstanding design quality and appropriate to the significance of the site, with the purpose of creating an image that will, over time, come to be associated with Edinburgh. In this stage the teams had to show the understanding of Edinburgh’s dynamic and creative identity, whilst regarding the historical site and traditional values.

The project of the Ross Pavilion and Gardens project had to be considered within the context of a landscape masterplan for West Princes Street Gardens, with the final purpose to reanimate and also reimagine one of the most important public spaces in the city, as well as considering its connections to the city area. This Pavilion has to be compatible with the divers uses of West Princes Street Gardens, including a tranquil space from the surrounding urban area; a daily stage for small events; and a space for occasional large-scale events of around 8000 people.

The Ross Pavilion and Gardens project is comprised of four elements: