15 March 2018

Impact Centre – latest developments

Evolving design proposals for The IMPACT Centre went on display today as part of a public exhibition and consultation. This will be Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music venue in over a century and central to its design will be a hall offering world-class acoustics.

The development of the design continues. Today’s exhibition offers an opportunity to find out about the approach being taken by the design team and how feedback throughout the process is helping shape the design.

IMPACT Scotland’s Chairman, Sir Ewan Brown said:

“This is an exciting stage in the creation of a vibrant new home for all kinds of music and performance in Edinburgh. We have set the bar high for our design team, asking them to produce a truly modern venue with exceptional acoustics, which also embraces and complements the heritage that surrounds it.

“This is a building being designed from the inside out, with at its heart, a hall offering world-class acoustics for performers and audiences. The design team have concentrated on getting this right, and we are now developing the look of this truly exceptional building and how it will sympathetically enhance its hidden location.

“Feedback from our first consultation showed that 98 percent of respondents supported the idea of a new music and performance venue in central Edinburgh. The need for new venue to secure the future of music in Edinburgh is clear and the support the project is receiving is tremendously encouraging.”

The design team is led by David Chipperfield Architects.

David Chipperfield said:

“We are very excited to be working on the new music venue in a city renowned around the world for its arts and culture. The setting, within the context of Edinburgh’s historic New Town, is also both stimulating and challenging. The new music venue will not only provide a modern performance space for Edinburgh but also create a new public place in this somewhat hidden corner of the city.”

The IMPACT Centre supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland, will include a 1000-seat auditorium, a 200-seat studio/rehearsal space, spaces for education and community outreach, and a café/bar. It will be the new home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a venue for the Edinburgh International Festival throughout August.
£25 million has been committed to the project through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal demonstrating the support of the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish and UK Governments.
The IMPACT Centre will sit behind Dundas House, 36 St Andrew Square, the beautiful 1774 home of Sir Lawrence Dundas which became part of The Royal Bank of Scotland estate in 1825. The banking hall, recognised as an architectural jewel, will be directly linked to the complex, bringing together the best of architectural design, both historic and contemporary.
The IMPACT Centre will make a striking contribution to the revitalisation of the city centre. It will create a dynamic new public space, part of the major regeneration of the area, linking the New Town with the St James redevelopment, Multrees Walk and the Register Lanes area.