The building’s form creates dramatic spaces with an impressive main hall forming a public indoor plaza, and areas that overhang the external public plaza. The external envelope draws people to the waterfront and generates a new migration route along the riverside promenade. The interior space of the main hall is filled with a gentle light emanating from apertures cut through the layered stone to create an open yet intimate public space. The ground floor, which splits into two parts connecting on the upper floor, comprises the building entrance hall, reception, café and shop on the public part of the building; administration and back-of-house facilities on its second part.

The main hall is a welcoming social space - a ‘living room for the city’ designed to encourage the public to interact with the building. It is a fully programmed space hosting a variety of design-led events, a vibrant place for everyone to enjoy. The second floor is dedicated to exhibition galleries: the permanent Scottish Design Galleries and the 1,100 sqm exhibition gallery which can also be subdivided into two galleries. Project Data Site area (approx.) 11,600 m2 Total floor area 8,445 m2