Staff Research Profiles

Design

Introduction: The manifesto statement, 'The Parliament sits in the land' was prominently displayed on the EMBT/RMJM competition winning entry for the Scottish Parliament (1998). It simply and succinctly embodies the fundamental physical and philosophical relationship between the building, its designed landscape and the wider landscape of Scotland beyond. It describes the unique organic interaction between the building and landscape which is at the heart of the significance and originality of this design. Awards: This importance has been recognised with various national and international awards, including; the RIBA Stirling Prize 2005 (Jury; Isabel Allen, Editor, The Architects Journal; Joan Bakewell, Broadcaster and Writer; Max Fordham, Environmental Engineer; Piers Gough, Architect, Writer and Broadcaster and Jack Pringle, President of RIBA) where the citation by Jury Chairman Piers Gough states 'in its context the building manifests itself as an attempt at an organic transition between the city and the drama of the Scottish countryside surrounding it. An extremely successful landscaping makes this transition even more striking'. The project ran from 1998 until 2006. Other Recognition includes: 2006 Civic Trust Award; 2005 Royal Fine Art Commission; Landscape and Urban Specialist Award; 2005 Manuel De La Dehesa Award; 2005 Edinburgh Architecture Association, Centenary Medal; 2005 Scottish Design Awards, Architecture Grand Prix. Role of the Author: Fraser was Principal Landscape Architect at EMBT/RMJM from 1999 until 2005 and co-designed the landscape with Enric Miralles, Joan Callis and Karl Unglaub of EMBT. His role encompassed all aspects from initial sketch designs through to supervision of construction on site. Areas of specific research unique to the project included disability access consultation, architectural metalwork, green roof design and wildflower meadow establishment.

Selected Publications: Architecture: 'Nature Nurture (Scottish Parliament)',February 2005, Vol 94, No2, pp 28-35; Architecture d'aujourd'hui: Parlement d'ecosse, Holyrood, Edimbourg', January 2005, No 356, pp108-117; Architecture Record: February 2005 Vol 193, No2, pp 98-111; Architectural Review: 'Scotland the brave', November 2004, Vol 216, No 1293, pp 46-63: Architecture Today: 'Identity parade: Miralles and the Scottish Parliament', January 2005, No 154, pp 32-34,37-40,43-44; Architecture + Urbanism: 'EMBT: Scottish Parliament', January 2005, pp 14-37; AV Monografias; January 2006, No 117-118, pp264-267; A10: 'New European Architecture: Miralles's Scottish Parliament Edinburgh', March 2005, No 2, pp62; Landscape: 'Flower of Scotland', November 2004, Vol 11, pp 14-20, Harriet Dennys; Landscape: Highlights of the year, December 2005, pp 12-20.