This video produced by Jim Stephenson spotlights the University of Aberdeen Science and Teaching Hub by Reiach and Hall Architects, which has been shortlisted for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.
It is the fourth video published by Dezeen in collaboration with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) to highlight the annual award’s 2024 shortlist.
In the video, viewers are introduced to the building’s updated science facilities, which encompass laboratories from various departments that are “gathered into a single entity”.
In the video, University of Aberdeen professor Peter Edwards and director at Reiach and Hall Architects Neil Gillespie emphasise the importance of this development for the university and its students.
“There was a recognition within the university that our existing facilities for lab-based science education were dated and needed significant investment, and so it was an opportunity across the university to look at what we needed for the future,” Edwards said.
The traditional model, if you like, was that each department had its own suite of laboratory spaces, teaching spaces, and this building moves to a different model where it’s the activity that’s been housed rather than the department,” Gillespie explained.
Praised by the jury for its “high quality and architectural precision”, the University of Aberdeen Science and Teaching Hub is one of two projects by Reiach and Hall Architects shortlisted for this year’s award, with the studio’s Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh also nominated.
Other projects vying for the prize include North Gate Social Housing by Page\Park Architects, Ardoch by Moxon Architects and The Burrell Collection by John McAslan + Partners.
The Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award is an annual award running since 2002 that highlights Scottish projects. This year’s winner is set to be announced on 22 November.
The film and photography are courtesy of Jim Stephenson.
