INSPACE
For The University of Edinburgh
“We live, work and play in the best building in Scotland - a fitting home for the UK’s leading community of researchers in Computer Science and Informatics.” - Mike Fourman, Head of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
Inside InSpace, creative explorations of the interface between science, humanities, medicine, music and art are exhibited alongside a programme of artworks curated by New Media Scotland, the artist in residence programme, ongoing research and student involvement. These include exhibitions, performances, public engagement events, education events - including debate, teaching, research exploration and cross-institution exchange, and ‘hands on science’ activities in a schedule which fits into Edinburgh’s arts and science calendars. Inspace is spatially designed as a ‘white cube’ environment. Significant effort went into housing the extensive technical ‘kit’ required to run audio, projection, dynamic & static and wireless & hard-wired computer-interfaced interactive works. Inspace offers a visually clean and clear space to offer maximum flexibility of use and future adaptability. The design aims to allow the works and events to be the main focus of the experience. Stretched ceilings, constructed in a non-toxic, recyclable PVC fabric, provide a homogenous lit sky behind which cables, unicol fixing brackets, sensors and structure are hidden. ‘Pufferfish’ 3 metre projection spheres, backlit blinds, white wall and floor surfaces provide the potential for all-round experimentation and installation use.
InSpace is a progressive exhibition facility which functions as a laboratory, factory, forum and social destination space to explore the cultural significance of informatics at the intersection of art and design. The primary uses of the space are intended to accommodate exhibition of new media artworks, demonstration space for interactive science education and office/ workshop for artists in residence. This 300sqm public engagement gallery has street-facing windows providing a prominent ‘shop window’ to the Forum, making activities inside available to passers-by via interactive technology. Located within the Informatics Forum at the core of the University of Edinburgh’s Arts and Humanities Potterow campus in a new build, city centre development, the significant site, previously an ‘open ground’ car park, offers a rich mix of buildings, public realm and newly formed streetscapes. Reiach and Hall lead the design and briefing stages to establish the scope of the development and win planning permission for this highly acclaimed award-winning project. After completion of Scheme Design the project was taken on and delivered by a partnering practice. Whilst on site, Reiach and Hall successfully won the commission from the University for InSpace.
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Contract Value
£600,000
Area
300m2
Completion
2009
Client
The University of Edinburgh
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Architects - Reiach and Hall Architects
Services Engineer - Buro Happold
Contractor - Balfour Beatty
Quantity Surveyor - Turner & Townsend
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Awards
Award Scottish Design Awards 2010 Interior Design Commendation
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InSpace is a progressive exhibition facility which functions as a laboratory, factory, forum and social destination space to explore the cultural signifi cance of informatics at the intersection of art and design. The primary uses of the space are intended to accommodate exhibition of new media artworks, demonstration space for interactive science education and office/ workshop for artists in residence. This 300sq m public engagement gallery has street-facing windows providing a prominent ‘shop window’ to the Forum, making activities inside available to passers-by via interactive technology. Located within the Informatics Forum at the core of the University of Edinburgh’s Arts and Humanities Potterow campus in a new build, city centre development, the significant site, previously an ‘open ground’ car park, offers a rich mix of buildings, public realm and newly formed streetscapes. Reiach and Hall lead the design and briefing stages to establish the scope of the development and win planning permission for this highly acclaimed award-winning project. After completion of Scheme Design the project was taken on and delivered by a partnering practice. Whilst on site, Reiach and Hall successfully won the commission from the University for InSpace.
Inside InSpace, creative explorations of the interface between science, humanities, medicine, music and art are exhibited alongside a programme of artworks curated by New Media Scotland, the artist in residence programme, ongoing research and student involvement. These include exhibitions, performances, public engagement events, education events - including debate, teaching, research exploration and cross-institution exchange, and ‘hands on science’ activities in a schedule which fits into Edinburgh’s arts and science calendars. Inspace is spatially designed as a ‘white cube’ environment. Significant effort went into housing the extensive technical ‘kit’ required to run audio, projection, dynamic & static and wireless & hard-wired computer-interfaced interactive works. Inspace offers a visually clean and clear space to offer maximum flexibility of use and future adaptability. The design aims to allow the works and events to be the main focus of the experience. Stretched ceilings, constructed in a non-toxic, recyclable PVC fabric, provide a homogenous lit sky behind which cables, unicol fixing brackets, sensors and structure are hidden. ‘Pufferfish’ 3 metre projection spheres, backlit blinds, white wall and floor surfaces provide the potential for all-round experimentation and installation use.
Sketchbook
Site Photographs
