St Peter’s Seminary re-use plans submitted
February 5 2013
Drawn up by Avanti Architects and ERZ landscape designers the £15m plans would entail restoration of Gillespie Kidd and Coia’s 1966 masterpiece together with a masterplan for the surrounding 57 hectare woodland estate.
This will entail transformation of the evocative central chamber into an events space along with consolidation works to the remainder of the seminary to prevent water ingress.
Externally a number of a number of walkways and bridges will be reinstated and a visitor centre built within a nearby walled garden to facilitate an artist-led cultural and educational programme.
Historic Scotland has stumped up £500k for work to the A-listed structure by way of a grant.
St Peter’s closed its doors in 1980, after just 14 years in operation by the church as a priest training centre, and has been derelict since 1987 following a brief spell as a drug rehabilitation centre.
The Seminary has been subject to decades of vandalism and arson, leaving it in a parlous state
|
6 Comments
#1 Posted by D Murdoch on 6 Feb 2013 at 14:17 PM
To describe this decaying mass of concrete as a 'Masterpiece' is to misunderstand the definition of that word. This monstrosity should be flattened and the deer allowed to roam free again. I walked through it many years ago and thought then it was of little merit. I cannot believe we should be wasting money on it when FAR better exampes of creativity are being allowed to rot.
#2 Posted by David on 6 Feb 2013 at 17:04 PM
I share the sentiment that the money would be better utilised elsewhere. Whilst I won't agree with #1's comments over the design over the building, surely ploughing money into developments which are in inhabited locations (towns etc) would have a far more positive effect on the lives of the locals, and would therefore be far more worthy.
Create an 'events space' somewhere where there are people to attend an event, not in the middle of no-where, where people have to travel to.
So I say let it rot. I find it quite poetic that it's slowly decaying, still showings signs of former beauty through its form and shape.
Create an 'events space' somewhere where there are people to attend an event, not in the middle of no-where, where people have to travel to.
So I say let it rot. I find it quite poetic that it's slowly decaying, still showings signs of former beauty through its form and shape.
#3 Posted by rab on 6 Feb 2013 at 20:25 PM
@ D Murdoch. In your opinion I misunderstand a definition? Perhaps youe understanding of the definition of monstrosity differs from mine!
#4 Posted by Rob on 7 Feb 2013 at 14:32 PM
The Seminary stands as an enigmatic folly and I think would lose much from being redeveloped. Dare I say it makes a better ruin than it would a building...
Given the condition it is in, £15m won't go far either.
Given the condition it is in, £15m won't go far either.
#5 Posted by Al on 7 Feb 2013 at 15:11 PM
I can't believe the're planning to remove the signature Gillespie Kidd & Coia design feature. Outrageous.
"..works to the remainder of the seminary to prevent water ingress"
"..works to the remainder of the seminary to prevent water ingress"
#6 Posted by Robbie on 8 Feb 2013 at 12:19 PM
Would the "masterplan" for the surrouning wooded estate mean conversion to suburban housing by any chance? Arguably the woodland setting is more valubale than the derelict building. So why not just let the building decay in dignity if there is no viable end-use?
Post your comments
Read next: NVA detail Cardross ‘Invisble College’ plan
Read previous: NHS Lothian’s Royal Victoria Building officially unveiled
Back to February 2013
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
News Archive
Search News
Features & Reports
For more information from the industry visit our Features & Reports section.