Oriam

Contract Value

£24M

Area

16,770m2

Completion

2016

Client

Sportscotland, Heriot Watt University, City of Edinburgh Council

Contract

Design and Build

Architect - Reiach and Hall Architect

Project Manager - Deloitte

Landscape Architect - Rankinfraser Landscape Architects

Structural Engineer - Engenuiti

M&E Engineer - Max Fordham

Quantity Surveyor - Deloitte / Thomas and Adamson

CDMC - Thomas and Adamson

Acoustician - Max Fordham

Fire Engineer - Buro Happold

Sports Consultant - The Sports Consultancy

Main Contractor - Bowmer & Kirkland

Awards

Scottish Design Awards Architecture Grand Prix 20170

Scottish Design Awards Leisure/Culture Building of the Year 2017

BCI Awards Building Project of the Year [£10m to £50m] 2017

Scottish Property Awards 2017 Highly Commended

Scottish Design Awards Future Building 2016

Oriam is the performance base for the Scottish FA and Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Handball, Basketball Scotland, Scottish Volleyball, Scottish Squash and Racketball. It contains the largest indoor 3g pitch hall in Europe, seating for spectators, a games hall, a fitness suite, a high-performance strength and conditioning area with associated treatment area, a hydrotherapy pool, offices, a café, changing facilities and external pitches including a replica of the Hampden pitch.

Oriam is the performance base for the Scottish FA and Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Handball, Basketball Scotland, Scottish Volleyball, Scottish Squash and Racketball. It contains the largest indoor 3g pitch hall in Europe, seating for spectators, a games hall, a fitness suite, a high performance strength and conditioning area with associated treatment area, a hydrotherapy pool, offices, a café, changing facilities and external pitches including a replica of the Hampden pitch.

Oriam provides athletes, coaches and officials with an exceptional performance environment that will re-affirm and strengthen Scotland’s sporting credentials. The building is regularly used by both Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian Football Clubs and is also open to the public. Oriam provides athletes, coaches and officials with an exceptional performance environment that will re-affirm and strengthen Scotland’s sporting credentials. The building is regularly used by both Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian Football Clubs and is also open to the public.

The building is approached through an informal parking area populated with a fine collection of trees including the remnants of a Victorian pinetum. The approach through the trees generated a design idea of a fairy tale about a child in the woods finding a magical building where amazing things happen. At the end of the tale, the child emerges as a world-class athlete.

The building is organised along two parallel linear routes – high performance and general public – separated by an indoor 3g pitch. A disused Victorian walled garden enclosed by a fine red brick wall is incorporated into the building and forms an edge to the public route which contrasts with the modern facility.

Oriam is frequently on television and in the press when coaches or players are interviewed. It presents an image of Scottish Sport to the wider world. The need for a memorable image was apposite to the design – it was a fantastic (design) opportunity – like a free kick on the edge of the box.

In 2010 the New Journal of Physics published an article about Roberto Carlos’ magical free kick against France in the 1997 Confederations Cup. It showed that because Carlos kicked the ball hard enough, over a long enough distance and with enough spin, its trajectory followed the path of an equiangular spiral. It is one of the most spectacular goals ever scored.