It’s great to see these images of ‘Gathering Space’. Gareth Hoskins’ design is Scotland’s first purpose-built exhibition space for the Venice Biennale.
The seven metre high structure – constructed from Scottish larch - is next to Santiago Calatrava’s new bridge, outside the city’s railway station.
Hoskins beat off challenges from over 50 other firms to land the prestigious commission. Most of the £100,000 which paid for it has come from the Scottish Government. However the Marquess of Bute, who is also considering a rescue bid for Gillespie Kidd & Coia’s derelict A-listed seminary in Cardross, donated £25,000 to the project.
I was on the jury that selected the design in April this year. It looks even better than the computer-rendered images submitted for the competition run by the Lighthouse Centre for Architecture and Design in Glasgow. What a relief. What a result!
Few weeks ago I’ve been to the exhibition “China Now” at the Victoria & Albert Museum, one of my favourite galleries in London.