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Scotland’s new parliament building is in Edinburgh.
This new building is the centre of democracy in Scotland and sees
our focus move away from the Houses of Parliament in London.
The new Scottish Parliament building was designed by EMBT (Spanish
architect Enric Miralles’ Barcelona-based practice) and Edinburgh
based practice RMJM. The architects wanted to design a building
which reflected the land it represents. The image of the Scottish
landscape was an important consideration and the architects took
inspiration from natural and organic forms such as leaves and boats.
The architects did not want the building to be a monument which
sits on the landscape, rather a structure which belongs to the landscape.
The materials used in the new parliament building are simple and
strong: fair-faced concrete, kemnay granite, caithness stone, oak,
sycamore, and stainless steel.
What do you think the new Scottish Parliament should be like?
What should it say about Scotland?
Make a list of characteristics which you think the new building
should possess, such as pride or innovation.
From the town hall to council offices, politics is all around you
in large towns and cities.
Name some other important political places in your city.
Where is the home of politics in your area?
What qualities do political places have?
What would you prefer them to be like?
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