Holyrood architect Benedetta Tagliabue walks us through new exhibition

Enric Miralles: Creating The Scottish Parliament, and other stories by Benedetta Tagliabue and EMBT tells the untold story of how Enric Miralles, Holyrood’s lead architect, brought to life his vision for a Parliament ‘growing out of the land’ – and how his studio continues his legacy today through new public space projects that respond to communities, cultural and urban contexts. This exhibition is on display from 31 July to 30 October in the Scottish Parliament's Main Hall and entry is free. Barcelona-based architects EMBT, founded by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, were awarded the international competition to design the Scottish Parliament in 1998, in collaboration with Edinburgh-based architects RMJM. The project’s vision was to create a new Scottish Parliament building that embodied the values of Scotland – a space rooted in its landscape, traditions and people. From the early inspiration behind the famous ‘upturned boats’ on the roof, to the ponds symbolising the lochs of the Scottish landscape, and the semi-circular debating chamber as the impressive centrepiece, the exhibition explores a range of the design concepts that reflect Miralles’ poetic vision and EMBT’s commitment to a site-responsive architecture. Here, Benedetta explains some key elements of the exhibit, with personal insights and memories from that time. Come and learn about the building that changed Edinburgh's landscape forever.