Parliament of Scotland (General Areas)
Edinburgh, Scotland

An interconnected vocabulary of minimalist lighting brightens common areas and circulation zones throughout the Scottish Parliament. Luminous slots, simple pendants, and cast-in-place luminaires are tailored to an array of architectural situations.

Lighting for the Members of Scottish Parliament office block established a strategic and technical lighting logic applied to the evolving designs of later buildings. To economize on maintenance and lamp costs, linear fluorescent lamps in two standard lengths are specified throughout. These are integrated in many ways including inside luminous walls, within handrails, behind mirrors, and recessed in concrete.

Fluorescent lamps and luminaires also appear in the central foyer, as glowing glass bands that ascend alongside the grand staircase. The luminaires, typically used in ceiling applications, here are turned vertically and inset in concrete. The foyer’s skylights are strewn with simple glass pendants reminiscent of lighting in the iconic Glasgow School of Art.

Client: Secretary of State of Scotland and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Architect: Enric Miralles/Benedetta Tagliabue with RMJM Scotland
Photos: Scottish Parliament (1), Ralph Richter (2, 3), Duccio Malagamba (4, 5), Niall Hendrie (7), Thomas Mayer (8)
Graphics: OVI