Library in running for architectural awards

Revamp has earned judges’ attention before the building has even opened

Dunfermline’s new £12 million cultural hub has been shortlisted for two of Scotland’s most prestigious architectural prizes before it has even opened its doors.

The Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries has been described as “one of the most inspiring reuses of a historic library building, transforming a traditional library into something exquisitely suited to 21st Century learning”.

It is one of 27 buildings competing for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)/Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2017 awards.

It has also been shortlisted for the Edinburgh Architectural Association Awards.

Designed by Richard Murphy Architects, the contemporary extension links to the world’s first Carnegie Library.

RIAS secretary Neil Baxter said: “The judges were highly impressed with this innovative and exciting development.

“The bringing together of libraries, museums and art galleries makes this an important cultural hub for the town and will serve the community well for a very long time to come.”

Due to open next month, the hub hopes to attract up to 280,000 visitors a year, contributing £500,000 annually to the local economy.

Fife Cultural Trust is responsible for managing the building and chief executive Heather Stuart said: “This new facility will be the jewel in our crown.”

Fife Council’s head of assets, transportation and environment, Ken Gourlay, described it as a spectacular addition to the heritage quarter, adding it would be a catalyst for raising the cultural profile and visitor attraction of Dunfermline to levels befitting the country’s ancient capital.

It has three parts, the 1883 Carnegie Library, the retained face of a bank and a new extension.

“Fife has a rich architectural heritage and is the home of a range of remarkable architecture – both historic and contemporary,” Mr Gourlay said.

“Being shortlisted for these prestigious awards, shows that our contemporary architecture is also of national significance.”

Richard Murphy said: “This has been a long but eventually highly fruitful journey since winning the original design competition in 2006.

“We needed to fit on to a restricted site many different and unique facilities alongside and linked to the existing historic library and of course the new building is placed right in the epicentre of the conservation area in the centre of Dunfermline.”

Facilities are organised around a “dramatic” internal street and a journey upwards.

The bringing together of libraries, museums and art galleries makes this an important cultural hub for the town. NEIL BAXTER

Picture: Sarah Burns. Barbara Dickson next to her portrait on the Wall of Fame.