Scottish Parliament Building

　　The Scottish Parliament Building is the seat of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, situated within the UNESCO World Heritage area of Edinburgh. Construction on the building began in June 1999, and the first debate session by Members of the Scottish Parliament was held there on September 7, 2004. The building was designed by the late Spanish Catalan architect Enric Miralles.

　　Enric Miralles was a天才 architect with remarkable creativity, but he died tragically young. The Scottish Parliament Building is one of his final works and a project to which he devoted significant attention and effort. His extraordinary ability to shape form is most fully realized in the Scottish Parliament project. He possessed a unique and profound Catalan cultural background, which naturally and wonderfully permeates his architecture.

　　Constructed from stone, stainless steel, and oak, the Scottish Parliament Building aimed to become a symbol of “democracy taking flight,” yet it was plunged into public controversy within less than a year of opening. The Scottish Parliament Building was also ranked fourth in a UK public poll for the “ugliest building in Britain.” With a construction cost of nearly £500 million, it has now become one of the key tourist attractions in the area.

　　Scottish Parliament Building Reason to visit: One of the most controversially designed buildings in the UK Continent: Europe【Europe】 Country/Region: United Kingdom[Britain] Province/State: Edinburgh [Edinburgh] City: Edinburgh [Edinburgh]