City Hall renovation would be an exciting challenge for talented young designers

Sir, – Kengo Kuma’s design for the V&A in Dundee is going to be a stunning contemporary feature that will make a positive contribution to the regeneration of Dundee. The plans also indicate how the new building will contribute to opening up the area surrounding the building for the access, use and enjoyment of people.

As a design student at Dundee College, I researched Kuma’s work for a college project. It was interesting to discover that this award-winning and innovative architect is also interested in conserving structures from the past and giving them new life and purpose.

Now that it appears that Perth City Hall has to be retained, why should it mean that it will remain as an apparently awkward “lump of history”?

At the 2012 Duncan of Jordanstone Degree Show, I was very impressed by the work of the young and talented artists and designers who will graduate this year. Perhaps a competition for graduates from Scotland’s art and design colleges could be “constructive”?

Maybe truly contemporary innovators will be able to see how best to conserve the existing building and develop the space.

Their new ideas may have the answers that will change the building into a valuable contribution to Perth now and for generations to come.

The competition should only be open to graduates who will have a chance of being around to attend the 50 year anniversary of the “new” City Hall Square (that excludes me as I am a mature student) and the only judges would be Perth residents.

It really is an opportunity that I am certain young designers would love the chance to embrace. Fiona Mcclymont. 5 Camus Place, Craigton of Monikie.