The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Architecture students deliver on brief for new ballroom
An Aberdeenshire stately home is benefiting from the expertise of aspiring designers and transforming itself into a new venue.
A group of architecture students at the Robert Gordon University will host an exhibition of their work to convert the grounds of Elsick House into a new wedding and corporate event location.
The second-year architectural design students were tasked with developing plans for a bespoke ballroom venue in the walled garden of Elsick Estate. The building sits at the heart of the Elsick Estate, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Fife, and is undergoing a transformation from agricultural land to the new town development of Chapelton.
The students’ designs will now go on display at the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen, where members of the public will have the chance to vote for their favourite. The designs will be on display from March 3-9.
There will be a special VIP event on the final evening, when members of the public who have engaged with the exhibition will be invited along to see the winning proposals and meet the duke and duchess and the students.
The duchess said: “The students were briefed several months ago, we set them an ambitious project to create an eye-catching
“Achieved this with such style and professionalism”
and complementary garden room for entertaining up to 200 guests – and they have achieved this with such style and professionalism.”
Gillian Wishart, lecturer, said: “This has been a very inspiring project to work on with the students. We are hugely grateful to the duchess who has truly got behind the project and supported the students from the outset.”