Budding north-east architects have unveiled their plans for a centre for a new Aberdeen arts festival.
The Robert Gordon University (RGU) students were set the brief of designing a temporary structure for the city’s Castlegate.
They were challenged to use as much recycled and low cost material as possible to create a focal point for next year’s Look Again festival.
This year’s festival will be launched today, and it will feature a packed programme of exhibitions, workshops and events around the city until April 12.
An exhibition of the 11 shortlisted designs for the festival centre, submitted by students across a range of year groups at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, will be on display at Seventeen on Belmont Street.
A public vote will be held to select the winner, who will receive a prize of £250, and their design will become reality in time for Look Again 2016.
The competition has been sponsored by Covell Matthews Architects.
Look Again 2015 is the first in a three-year strategy bringing together aspiring young artists from around the world.
The festival is being funded by a partnership between SMART Consultants, RGU and Aberdeen City Council.
Sally Reaper, founding director of SMART Consultants, said: “We’re delighted to be working with local architecture students to design a space which will act as an information point for Look Again next year and are very excited to see the ideas submitted.
“Aberdeen is desperate for more creative spaces, such as Seventeen, that can fulfil a range of functions, so having a temporary hub for 2016 is one way for us to address that requirement.”
David Vila Domini, architecture lecturer at RGU, said: “This is a great opportunity for students to work on a live brief as part of a high profile festival in Aberdeen.
“The designs that they produce have to meet specific requirements, such as housing an information point, workshop space, screenings, talks and tours.
“It must have the capacity to house up to 35 people and should contrast and respond to the existing architecture of the Castlegate area so there is a lot for the students to consider.”
To see the designs and vote for your favourite, visit Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen between today and Sunday.
