Burrell Collection named Scotland’s building of the year

The Burrell Collection was announced as the winner of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Burrell Collection is a prominent museum in Scotland, housed in a late 20th-century building originally designed by Barry Gasson, John Meunier, and Brit Andresen.

The award comes after a major refurbishment by John McAslan + Partners.

The architecture firm undertook the most comprehensive refurbishment of the museum since its opening in 1983.

This included repairing the Grade A listed building, upgrading its environmental performance, and finding ways to display more of the collection.

The Doolan Award judges praised the refurbishment as "an outstanding example of problem-solving and future-proofing that has rejuvenated an old friend."

The judges were particularly impressed by how the respectful and deferential approach of John McAslan + Partners transformed the building without losing any of its architectural integrity.

The Burrell Collection is free to enter, and the retrofit has played a key role in immersing more visitors in all aspects of the collection.

The refurbishment has significantly increased the available space for curation and public displays.

A series of new entrances has contributed towards a more accessible visitor experience.

The museum can now accommodate larger visitor groups and, with improved connections to the surrounding park, is welcoming new and returning audiences.

The Doolan Award judges said that John McAslan + Partners’ refurbishment of the Burrell Collection "makes a bold declaration about the role of architecture – a renewed confidence and belief in it – at a time when Glasgow and Scotland’s creative and cultural industries are in peril."

Karen Anderson, president of RIAS, said: "I’m delighted that the Burrell Collection has been named as the winner of this year’s RIAS Doolan Award.

"In the skilled hands of John McAslan + Partners, one of Scotland’s architectural gems has been given a new lease of life – saving the building and its incredible collection, and making the museum greener and more welcoming to its thousands of visitors.

"It is a fantastic example of how an existing building can be adapted to address new and future needs, and is unquestionably this year’s best building in Scotland."

The annual RIAS Doolan Award is assessed by an expert jury who visit each of the shortlisted buildings and look at projects’ architectural integrity, usability and context, delivery and execution, and sustainability.