It might be sophisticated but it obliterates the lovely view of the NB. UNESCO would have a fit.

A joke really; it's hardly sophisticated if it takes no note of any planning restrictions, or local context. Any fool can do that. The hard part is to design successfully within the constraints which exist.

Congratulations to Alan, I've taken an interest in the competition and his project stood out.
Danny and Sir Walter, I think your missing the point of student work. Your correct in saying planning and context is important. However, Alan's project looks like a very refined provocation illustrating what could be. You don't always have to bend over to UNESCO either, sometimes there maybe good reason to challenge previously accepted rules.

You are right , I don't know the parameters of the competition. It would be somewhat depressing if response to context was not a significant element of assessment though. Would the project still have won if it was situated in a featureless car park?

It's dountful it would get past planning regardless. Not in that location.
Students really should have to exist in the real world. Why not design something feasible? And UNESCO World Heritage Committee is quite important also, it's probably not a good idea to suggest otherwise. Ask Richard Murphy. He found out the hard way.

i can't believe that there is a mind that students should have to design within the ever-changing planning rules! what's the point in that, surely student designs should be aspirational and display an ability to design rather than follow current planning laws, you get enough years of that after study!
It doesn't matter that "its doubtful" this scheme would get past planning, it's a theoretical student project...

It might prepare them for the realities of working for a living? And learn how to design with some idea of context? Or is that far, for too mundane?

Ohdeargawd! And thrice I say to thee - Ohdeargawd! How blind have we been? Of course what Edinburgh needs is a third rate Ando-roid. This "award" speaks volumes about the donors more than it does the recipient (well done Alan, you've obviously got the hang of this architecture-marketing lark and good luck to you, but now that the dust has settled, ask yourself - does the centre of the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment really merit such darkness? What did Princes St ever do to you? A bad kebab maybe? The dark side beckons, and You Have Been Warned). Somebody out there obviously eschews beauty - and, let's be honest - windows. Let's ALL eschew something. Starting with architectural whoopee-cushions like this (apologies if I've misconstrued an early festival gag - lack of employment has that effect). And don't even get me STARTED on the Cumbernauld story here. Jee-Zo...

Dear dear.....young architect wins a bit of cash and all folk can do is have a pop.
Congratulations Alan - don't let the gobsh*tes get you down.

No, the realities of working for a living will do that.

Great attitude Sir Walter.
Have you considered a career switch to school teaching?

I'd echo the well done Alan comments. Its just that in my eyes the scheme is wholly inappropriate for the location and I'm astounded that the rules of the competition did not take setting in to account. If that's gobshite, then so be it. Don't believe the sicophants Alan

I agree, Danny. Fantasy, easier to do than consider location and setting, was that what the competition was about?